There were a few tense moments this week when the bamboo supports and formwork were removed from the concrete first floor and balconies. We are pleased to report that everything stayed where it should and is solid as a rock. My sister Jackie will be relieved to know that the pillars are straight as well! The next floor is already taking shape, not so much concrete this time; just the pillars that make a reinforced concrete frame to attach the wood to. I even got to climb up to where our bedroom balcony will be to get a look at the view, which is awesome.
Our plan to order things earlier than needed has paid off. We have windows for the basement ready to be installed and the wood is on a container making its way from Guyana. It should have been here a few weeks ago but there was a hold up at the other end, their rainy season came early and they weren’t able to cut the wood. Now it will arrive in St Lucia just when we need it, we just have to hope that it is good quality and properly kiln dried.
Wildlife update: Love is in the air! Birds are collecting grasses to make nests and herons are pairing off, making raucous noises at each other, which seems to work for them. We have baby herons that are actually quite big, they are a muddy brown colour but seem to be getting their blue feathers quite quickly. The other thing that is happening is caterpillars. They are falling of trees in their thousands, attaching themselves to pipes, bamboo poles or anything else hard and upright on the building site. They then quickly harden off into a chrysalis and a day later they emerge as butterflies. I am sure this whole process takes much longer in UK. This lot seem to be in a great hurry to take to the skies. As a result the whole place is covered in yellow and orange butterflies, it was like walking through a coloured snowstorm on my way back from the lot yesterday.
Last weeks day of rest was spent sailing with friends to Rodney Bay on Saturday night to go to a Thai restaurant. The next morning we had a cooked breakfast at anchor and then climbed the hill on Pigeon Island to the old fort. It was great day out even though we hadn’t gone far. We swam after lunch and had a good sail back. This week’s day of rest is being spent on the lot. Jeff wants to have a big bonfire while the workers are off site and I am going to do some weed clearing and garden planning. It may not sound like a rest day but we both like spending time up there. It is always so cool and peaceful and the time we spend there usually results in good ideas for both the house and garden.
Right, I’m off to take this week’s photo and to walk off the excesses of last night rum and coke session, hangovers are worse out here!