Neill,
I've only just caught up with this topic, what a surprise and how kind of yourself, Angie and Viv to post these compliments.
To be honest initially we wanted the 'easier' route of a ready-build but at the time there was nothing like that for miles and miles around. Now of course we are glad we chose to build from scratch thus allowing us the freedom to chose a plot of land that we immediately fell in love with. It also meant that we were able to work with our builders in designing a house that suited our taste/needs and not forgetting the all important budget!
As Angie rightly says
"it does help to alleviate the stress a little when you know that your builder will do a first rate job."
It's very observant of you to notice that there is plenty of space to
"vanish and do your own thing." ! That was an absolute must have...I really need my space to disappear and read a book! Also I think that if there is a larger party in the villa it is good to be able to escape friends or relatives for a while.
Do you know what is really nice? When I'm pottering in the garden and our neighbors from up the hill pass in their cars and scooters peeping their horns and shouting their greetings. Probably saying to themselves 'that mad woman is back again'!
After our late night last Tuesday I was up at the crack of dawn potting up the plants that you and Wendy bought for me...very nice they look too...my plants are like my little babies...I worry about them when I'm not there
Eileenx
