A week or so ago I wrote a post about building a new house; It was more about the decision around demolishing and building or extending and renovating the existing property to be honest and some of the frustrations involved in that decision-making process. One would think it would be a reasonably straightforward process involving the overall budget and the needs I have from the property however it's not simple, or straightforward at all.
For the record no decision has been made however my architect/builder friend will be inspecting the site this week and evaluating the suitability of the existing house to be extended and renovated. He will also consider the lay of the site as far as fall goes (It falls left to right as I live on the top of a hill) and what that may mean from a retaining-wall standpoint and existing infrastructure which may be utilised or demolished depending on which way I decide to go.
I haven't really put too much thought into designs as yet; It's been thought about of course however I kept coming to a solid brick wall..."What is, or may be possible, upon the site and what is the most cost-effective way." It has prompted the site visit by my friend to help bring some clarity of thought. Once I have some idea on what a professional thinks is the best course of action then it'll be time for the cogs to start turning on the design again with a view to finalise a course of action.
These days there's so many things to consider in life, not least of which is living arrangements. I'm not sure if it was any easier 9000 years ago though, despite the building code being infinitely less complicated as you can see above. Back 9000 years ago thought probably revolved more around food gathering, hunting and trying to get crops to grow. I'm sure the average Mesolithic family did many other things of course: Scraping hides, making clothes, tools and weapons, procreating, passing knowledge down to new generations, fighting with other families or bands, sitting by the fire talking about their day and of course finding and building shelter.
Shelter 9000 years ago was more basic than it is now; A few skins stretched over a tied-together frame of branches or maybe a cave such as the Cheddar Gorge caves, (Somerset, UK), where, in fact, the UK's oldest and most intact ancient skeleton was found, that of the Cheddar Man from the mesolithic Age. Shelter was simple, as was life; I don't mean life was easy mind you, just less complicated than it is now. Worry and concern revolved around food, shelter and warmth rather than having the latest iPhone or Tom Ford sun glasses, superannuation, health and life insurance, or indeed having a WIFI, internet-connected, automated home; You know, the myriad of things modern life involves. A simple hut with some tusks holding the front up was probably considered quite the mansion.
Life isn't simple these days though and complicated matters take up our every thought it seems, like whether to extend and renovate or demolish and build. Fortunately my life and that of my tribe doesn't depend on my house-situation-decision and so I have the luxury of time to make the most suitable decision. 9000 years ago the Cheddar Man did not have that luxury; Lack of food, shelter and warmth meant death. There was no social security payments and handouts back then. I wonder what he would think about my deliberations? Would he call me soft and tell me to go and cut some branches and stretch some buffalo hides over it? Or maybe he'd sell-out on his Mesolithicness and buy into "hey google, spa baths and ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning..."
As for me? Well, I'd almost prefer Mesolithicness to the crazy world in which we live in but that's not possible and so I have to make adult decisions about what sort of hut or cave I'm going to live in. I hope I make my Mesolithic ancestors proud.
(Image taken by me at Cheddar Gorge, Mendip Hills, Somerset, England. No, it wasn't one of the B&B's I stayed in on my trip. Looked spacious though.)