April has been a very pleasant month. This is a time of year where the leaves fall and the trees bud all in a space of a few days. The pool gets a bit messy and we spend time trawling for leaves and then the same for blossom a week later. The sun is on the pool all day so it is warm enough to step right in and needs constant attention in case there is too much water evaporation.

We spent Easter quiet enough, apart from my constant moaning about the lack of Easter eggs in this country. Fortunately a friend saved the day by providing a bag of small ones when we went out sailing (purchased in an egg loving country).

We had some troublesome trees that were rotting down the trunks, so we set about their removal. “Team A” were Canadians, known for their lumber jacking skills. They were called in to remove the tree most likely to fall on the power lines and with lots of enthusiasm, confidence and gung ho-ness they predicted the fall off the tree (as accuracy was their specialty) and it landed on the power lines. Lucky for us that the electricity board responds to calls within 10 minutes and we were soon up and running again. “A team” decided that the other two trees couldn’t be felled with any accuracy so we were forced to get in the “B team”.

Franz preparing the tree to be felled.

Obie and Foxy looking on from a distance.
This team consisted of a bare- footed bloke who climbed trees, machete in hand, and hacked away at branches before gently lowering them to the ground. He had a couple of helpers who cut up the branches and cleared away .The only casualty was a palm branch and a slightly bent fence. I think it pays to go local sometimes!

We then had visitors, William and Barbara Cooper, who stayed a week before we took them to their next destination a few miles down the road as part of their two-centred holiday. It did feel a bit like dropping off kids at boarding school, wanting to know if they had everything- tuck, cold beers, and clothes. I just hope they make friends and behave themselves.

Barbara and William relaxing after a couple of hours of quad biking.

Another pause to check out the flora and fauna.







Farewell Drinks at Chateau Mygo.

This weekend is a time to regroup, garden, maintain the boat and try and support Obie in his ‘life long learning’ programme. He really is proving to be quite hard work with all his little neurosis. His list of all – time terrifying moments is growing as he encounters wheelbarrows, children laughing, bags of cement and of course weed strimmers!

An afternoon rest for all the family.

Jeff having a fatherly chat with Obie.