When the roof goes on and the structure is more or less closed in, all those stuck-together boards begin to really feel like a house. For centuries (some say dating back to the Druids) traditional builders in many countries have celebrated with a little ceremony called Wetting the Bush. The builder or owner attaches a sapling to the peak of the roof, and the owner buys drinks and something to eat for the crew, and together they toast (wet) the little tree. This honors the good work the builders have done and hopefully brings good fortune to the house.
Lee and I had a bush wetting party when our Lakeside home was completed back in 1988, and we invited all our friends. For 27 years, there was love, happiness and good fortune in that house.
This year, on Christmas Eve, I cut a little sapling from this property, clambered up on the front porch roof and attached it to the gable end. We then had a small celebration with soft drinks and french fries (because I'm the last of the big spenders...) and I thanked the boys for their good work, and we toasted the house.
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| The crew: Manuel, Andre, and Donald |
Andre got on the Bobcat and filled in all the ditches after we passed the inspection of the underground piping, and this week Manuel and Andre are building the back porch roof - the last of the framing.
Here's hoping the bush wetting brings good fortune to the little bungalow at Sabado in Campo.
I wish you well in it mate and can't wait to have that drink on the porch with you. J
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