J out on the patio enjoying his Sunday cigar comes in with good news. A man on the roof of the house opposite, currently under construction, is cutting off the protruding rebar. As long as a metre or so of rebar emerged at regular intervals from the perimeter of the roof it was unclear whether the intent was to extend the building by another storey. In fact in some countries protruding rebar is deliberately left as it legally defines a building as unfinished and therefore taxable at a lower rate. Ugly, but practical. It can also be left in a semi-finished state to keep options open. Next year we may have the money to add another level. Or our daughter and son-in-law may want to have a flat above us.
Our point of view, of course, totally different. Immediately across the road from us is an orchard with orange, lemon, fig and carob trees. The new house is kitty corner and blends well with local village architecture. But if it were higher it would block a significant percentage of the sea view from our patio or windows.
New tube of toothpaste. Same kind we use in Canada but clearly very different, apart from being more expensive. Different colour, different texture, different (though fortunately inoffensive) taste. So bring magnifying glass to bear. Toothpaste manufactured in China and distributed by Colgate Palmolive Nigeria.
Rebar
Toothpaste China, Nigeria