The beginnings of The Bullens banana plantation.Three thousand, one hundred and six holes later and the doweling is done! It was hot and tedious work, dangerous at times and I am glad I don’t have to watch Jeff balancing on the precarious scaffolding anymore. The solar water heating system is in place, just needing the final connections when we have water circulating. We have had some cracking thunderstorms, which have half filled our water tanks very nicely but only to discover we have a leak in one. So there has been pumping water from one to the other to reseal and strengthen liners. We will know early next week if the problem is solved. The painters have been continuing with the external ceilings that can be seen and have also just about completed the basement. Our bedroom is next in line as the bathroom has now been plastered and all the plasterboard is in place.
It has been a bit of a struggle to get the paints chosen and mixed as when I went to town the first place had some colours, the second had no pastel base paint and wasn’t expecting any until next week. In the next place the computer that mixed the paint was broken, so it was back to the first shop to start choosing again. This all takes time in hot heavy traffic but it is the way of life and you become a little resigned to it and just leave early to start doing the rounds. Ringing up beforehand doesn’t work because they wont mix it until you are on the premises - just in case you change your mind!
I went to inspect the plants that we had bought and was disappointed to find that four had been completely stripped of their leaves by large African snails that are in abundance on the plot. We shall be getting hold of sacks of rock salt to put around future plants but also researching more permanent methods of eradication. These snails are not natives of St Lucia but come in a boat and went forth and multiplied. It has been a huge problem for farmers and gardeners alike.
There are three other boats on the dock where we have our boat, all large motor yachts of 80 ft plus. One of the owners, who has been here for a while, with his wife, large dog and three cats, has just found out that his bowel cancer has returned, which means he needs an operation ASAP. They are off to Miami in a few days time and the rest of us are to take it in turns to look after the animals and take care of his boat. Reno, his Alsatian is a huge dog that gets lonely, so one of the tasks is to sit with him at night on their boat and watch DVD’s and then take it in turns to sleep over. They will try and get back as soon as possible.
It’s a day off tomorrow but also funeral day for Austin. Jeff has volunteered to carry the food in the truck to Bexon where over 400 people are expected to turn up at the family church and they all get fed after the ceremony. Lots of work for Doreen who is cooking the chicken and making sandwiches and fruit juices by the bucket full.
It has been a bit of a struggle to get the paints chosen and mixed as when I went to town the first place had some colours, the second had no pastel base paint and wasn’t expecting any until next week. In the next place the computer that mixed the paint was broken, so it was back to the first shop to start choosing again. This all takes time in hot heavy traffic but it is the way of life and you become a little resigned to it and just leave early to start doing the rounds. Ringing up beforehand doesn’t work because they wont mix it until you are on the premises - just in case you change your mind!
I went to inspect the plants that we had bought and was disappointed to find that four had been completely stripped of their leaves by large African snails that are in abundance on the plot. We shall be getting hold of sacks of rock salt to put around future plants but also researching more permanent methods of eradication. These snails are not natives of St Lucia but come in a boat and went forth and multiplied. It has been a huge problem for farmers and gardeners alike.
There are three other boats on the dock where we have our boat, all large motor yachts of 80 ft plus. One of the owners, who has been here for a while, with his wife, large dog and three cats, has just found out that his bowel cancer has returned, which means he needs an operation ASAP. They are off to Miami in a few days time and the rest of us are to take it in turns to look after the animals and take care of his boat. Reno, his Alsatian is a huge dog that gets lonely, so one of the tasks is to sit with him at night on their boat and watch DVD’s and then take it in turns to sleep over. They will try and get back as soon as possible.
It’s a day off tomorrow but also funeral day for Austin. Jeff has volunteered to carry the food in the truck to Bexon where over 400 people are expected to turn up at the family church and they all get fed after the ceremony. Lots of work for Doreen who is cooking the chicken and making sandwiches and fruit juices by the bucket full.
No comments:
Post a Comment