We have had a spell of dry weather which has meant that the pool and decking area are almost complete in construction, just the fancy bits left like the Diamond Brite coating and attaching of pipes to pumps etc. The painter is back in trying to finish off upstairs in time for the sanding and polishing of floors team that will arrive on Monday. We were in town this week buying four loos and some hand basins, not as easy as it seems as white loos aren’t white, more of an off grey colour but we eventually tracked down some that would do. They go in for quite ornate loos, scalloped edges or tiered bowls. I did point out to the salesman that they were a bit of a germ trap and would prefer something plainer but I could see from his expression that he thought I was a bit behind the times.

We have had to get another plasterer as Thomas had a car accident and broke his leg in two places. We shall have to visit him in hospital to see if we can help in any way. I should imagine he will be off work for a while and definitely won’t see the end of our project. Kenrick managed to conjure up another cousin from Rousseau who could plaster so he was on the job that same day to finish of the outside of the pool.
The first floor is now fully boarded and looks great, so the tiler will need to be back next week to get the last of the balconies done and the downstairs loo. Then the carpenters can get on with the kitchen cabinets and the sitting room bookshelves. There are still walls and concreting to do outside, so everyone has their work cut out for a few more months.

It has been great having Fiona here. We haven’t done too much since last weekend but she has been to Barbados to meet up with her boyfriend. She really enjoyed the trip and noticed how different the two Islands are even though only eighty miles of sea separate them.

We did take Foxy for a swimming lesson in the sea, which left us all wet and covered in sand as Foxy swam as fast as she could back to shore and then raced around like a loony, covering herself in sand. We had to give her a bath when we got back and spent an hour or so removing all the seeds and burrs she had picked up.

Fi leaves tomorrow to finish the last few months of her time at Cardiff before she enters the world of work and all that it entails (if she gets a job that is!) She does have a few ideas so we shall just have to wait and see. Its great being retired and not to have to go through all that sort of stuff again, although life isn’t without its difficult decisions here. Another cold beer..swim then a beer..beer,swim then snooze?