wed 25 nov 2009 10:27:55 — witte de withstraat
the pounding
i think it was in late october they started building scaffolds in front of the buildings across the street from here, then covered them with cloth, then started sandblasting and touching up the buildings. a big sign hanging there said "ymere verbeterd". ymere (the housing corporation) improves. as of today they are taking down the scaffolds at least for the part right opposite me.
a few weeks ago around the bend, in the vacant lot where the beautiful building used to be, they've put a big pile-driving crane. starting at about 07.00 the day is filled with pounding, as the metallic thing keeps hammering metal columns into the earth. the sound comes from one side, then bounces back from the other side a fraction of a second later. a few minutes ago they must have struck a thick spot in the ground, because i could feel the vibration in my desk.
strangely enough i am usually able to sleep through this.
this was to have all been accompanied by daily noises of construction in my own flat. but after a few visits, the aannemer who was meant to be building the new shower off my front bedroom has disappeared again, leaving at least two jobs completely unattended.
also, it has been quite windy lately. my flat is pretty well sealed, but sometimes i hear the moaning of the wind sometimes through the cracks, and the almost-whack of a sudden gust against the balcony doors.