Midweek Workday

This is Wednesday, 23 November, 2016, with more work on the project.

Carlos and Jorge Sharpening Chainsaw

Carlos, our caretaker, pointed out to me a few days ago, that one of our trees near the front of the place, was dead as a doornail and probably posed a hazard.

This morning Carlos, along with his son Jorge, cut it down. Only the upper portion of the tree was rotten. The rest of the tree was very dense, and very hard wood, which caused Carlos to have to sharpen his chainsaw a couple of times.

Glass Blocks In Place

Glass blocks were actually never part of the grand design, but here they are. Well, the explanation is easy. We ended up with a one-foot wide hole between the waterfall area and the column because of design changes involving the waterfall.

What do you do with it? It seemed like too small an area to make a screen frame for. But, then what? Mario suggested maybe trying glass blocks. We jumped on board the idea. So, here it is,

Rene Chipping High Spots

We're almost ready to Diamond Brite the pool. Besides taking care of some old crack patches, there are several bumpy areas that need to be smoothed down so that when the new Diamond Brite coating is put down, that it's really smooth.

Small, heavy hatchets seem ideal for this task. That's what Rene is using in the photo.

The Caps Are Getting Painted

Mario's painter does an excellent job. Fast and methodical, I've never seen a drip or a 'painting outside the lines' error. The painting just looks excellent.

Bani Sanding Wood Filler

The blue screws used to secure the screen frames to the columns, beam, and deck were all counter-sunk. After they were done, each screw was then covered with wood filler and sanded smooth

Theo Cleaning Up Concrete on Blocks

The glass blocks are all installed and cemented into place. Theo is cleaning excess concrete off the face of the blocks. The next step in the process is to apply the terracotta texture to the concrete so that it all matches.

Floor Drain Full Run

Just so you can see the whole run of the deck drain. The drain was made from PVC square-shaped electrical conduit. The conduit cap was then routed by hand using a jig and careful measuring to get the evenly spaced openings.

This is close to forty-feet long. The exit for the drain is at the far end and is tied into the overflow drain for the pool. It's turned out just superb. I couldn't be happier with the result.

Glass Blocks Other Side

Just a view of the other side of the glass blocks. With the blue banding on each block, when viewing them in place, you get a hint of blue in each block.

Ramp Columns Done

The east ramp columns are ready for the railings to be installed. I think it's going to look seriously cool when it's done.

Endher Finishing Wood Frame

Endher is touching up each wood filler covered screw with stain and varnish so they match the rest of the frame.

Detail of Water Line

I asked the painter to paint each of the exposed PVC pipes, which he did. We wanted the deck drain left white as we thought that, although paint would give the PVC more UV resistance, that it just wouldn't hold up well, and would probably show chips and peels soon enough.

Tuesday, Tuesday

Here we are, at Tuesday, 22 November, 2016.

We got off swimmingly. Nelson was able to get into the basement for his daily constitutional. He's a happy camper. We have screens going in. It's starting to really look official now.

Shade Cloth Screens Going In

This view is looking outside on the west side from the ramp top landing. The shade cloth screening and frames really give it a finished look.

The View From Inside

Here's the same side, but from the inside now. Really gives a finished look to things, brings it all together.

Across the Back Side

This is the view along the back or north side. The last screen will probably go in tomorrow. They had to wait for the texturing to be applied to the wall right beside the waterfall to get the correct measurement for the frame.

Finishing Pressure-Washing

Pressure washing of the deck and ramps is almost done. Heading down the east ramp.

Pressure-Washing the Pool

And now in the pool. Quite a lot of chipping debris still in the pool. It all has to be removed before Diamond Brite can be applied.

Adding Hydraulic Cement to Cracks

The cracks that were cleaned out earlier are now getting filled with hydraulic cement before the Diamond Brite is applied.

Installing East Screen Door Transom

Doorway transoms are being installed as we speak. Those are screened as well. It is really starting to look finished now.

Theo Texturing Left Side Waterfall

The texturing I mentioned is being applied by Theo. That will allow the last screen frame to be installed on Wednesday.

Mario Actually Working

Our contractor, Mario Zettina, brought a case of glass blocks for the narrow notch next to the waterfall. He's beginning to remove the white paint band from the blocks. This will be replaced with blue paint and will impart a blue tinge to the blocks. Since the blue paint is the same blue we're using for the project, everything will match.

Theo Textured Window Area

Theo finished up the texturing of the window on the back side of the pump house. It's a shame this whole side will seldom be seen by anyone. It looks nice.

Block Production Line

Mario shanghaied a couple of his employees to help with the block stripping and re-coloring project.

Almost Done

As you can see, this part of it is almost done. Next comes the installation of the blocks in the notch. The blocks will give a nice accompaniment to the waterfall.

East Side Screens

Here's a view of the screens from the east side. Looks just as dramatic as on the west side.

And Then Friday Pops Up

Yes, indeed. It could have been Friday, the 13th, except it's the 18th, of November 2016. Something I can imagine one of the characters in Pogo saying.

4:00 AM  at Casa Winjama

Forecast low for this morning was supposed to be a chilly 66° (f). At 4:00 AM, when I opened the veranda big doors, the temp was 70° (f), still brisk if you sat out there for very long.

So, I came in and closed the doors where it was still nice and warm from the previous day. Dianna told me when I left it had dropped to 67° (f). I wore my fleece hoodie walking the girls. It was still brisk for most of the walk. Winter's on its way.

Now, I know for you folks who're from the northern climes, our low temp seems laughable. But when you've been sleeping with nighttime lows of 80° and 81° (f), down into the 60's is what you might call 'nipply.' We just are not equipped nor acclimatized for such cold temps.

Carpentry Shop and More Frames

As the workday begins, the temps get back up to normal in a hurry. The carpentry shop is glad for the shade as they build another screen frame.

Waterfall is Looking Good

The waterfall is looking good. Today was supposed to be the day of a test for it. And it was. Only without the pump hooked up. We used a hose, and waterfall performed spectacularly. It cascaded and tinkled and fell into the pool just the way we were hoping it would. Plenty of sound, but not to loud for even a quiet conversation.

We couldn't try out the pump for several reasons. One, the 22VAC line for it hasn't been hooked up to the pump motor yet; and Two, the water input line from the pool and the outfall to the waterfall itself haven't been hooked up. Even if they had, we still couldn't have used it as there's no water in the pool yet to draw from. So, the hose was a good second best.

Stair Nose Will Be Different Too

Rene has been busy tiling the stairs. Looking good and will be nice whether going into the pool or coming out.

First Glass Block On-Scene

The first of the glass blocks arrived and is roughly in place. There'll be about nine of them running vertically up from that one. When they're all plastered and textured in place, they should look great.

Painter Finishing Chain

The painter has been busy finishing up the edging of the beams and the chain, that he couldn't do with the roller. A very nice job. I already commented on the blue, how it seems to really blend with the sky.

Looking Down Into Waterfall Trough

The next few shots here show the inside of the top of the waterfall. There is a small trough with the water supply pipe in it. The pipe will allow water to fill up the trough, which will in turn, spill over the stone tiles and then cascade down the six or seven feet of the waterfall face, where it will then fall into the pool

Down From Roof into Trough

Here's another view of the trough. It can be a little hard to understand what you're looking at. but if you squint hard, you can tell what's going on.

The Trough  From the Other Angle

A view from the other side of the angle. The trough will be covered with stone tile to hide that it's there. It should look almost like a solid rock face that happens to have water coming out of it. That's the plan anyway.

Stair Nosing Almost Done

Here's another view of the stairs. Rene has made significant progress on them. They'll look really nice under water.

Thor's or Jupiter's Day

A good title for today 13 October, 2016. I didn't come up with it on my own. Credit due to Wikipedia, the fount of all knowledge, correct or not, on the intertubes. Besides, Thor, or Thunder, is doubly fitting. Lately, when we've had thunderstorms, we've had humdingers. None in the forecast for today.

Footings for West Ramp

West side footings are ready to go. Unfortunately, the 'machine', the cement mixer has other ideas. It's transmission (I'm guessing here) when the bowl is tilted over, sounds like it's trying to strip every tooth it has in its gearing. Not a good sign.

So, consequently, the guys are mixing using the old tried and true method. At least they're not out in the road doing it.

Block Work on East Ramp

This in on the east side ramp. Footings are in place, and the slope looks like it's set well for the lower part of the ramp.

Concrete Going In On West Ramp

Jumping around now. This is back on the west side. Concrete is going into the trenches.

Slope of Lower Ramp Looking Good

The lower slope of the east ramp is looking good. The upper slope still has that worrisome hump in it. I'm keeping a close eye on it to make sure it slopes correctly.

Footing's Been Autographed

Our children decided to leave their autographs in the concrete. They must have done this as soon as I set them loose from the pen last night. I didn't notice their handiwork till this morning.

West Side Footing Almost Done

West side footings are almost done. Still to do is the footing for the circular staircase.

Glass Block For Column?
- Photo Courtesy of Mario Zetina

Mario sent us this picture of available block at whatever store he visited yesterday. I don't know if the display at Creative Tile here in Corozal or Boxito (pronounced bo-shee-doh) or somewhere else in Chetumal.

We're thinking of selecting the solid blue (2nd up, bottom right) or the clear with sparkly (top right). Remember, the tile is going to go in the space next to the waterfall between the pump house and the column.

East Ramp is Looking Like a Ramp

The east ramp is really starting to look like a ramp should. I mentioned to the guys that I was concerned about the hump that is still in place on the upper part. They assured me it would be correct when they pour. I hope so.

Plastering Waterfall Area Continues

A little bit of plastering continues on the waterfall area. It will be interesting to see that all come together.

Boxing the Circular Stair Pad

A lot of progress on the pad for the circular staircase. It will be fun to see the stairs go up and be usable.

West Ramp Forming Up

Along with the pad progress, there's a lot of progress for the west ramp.

Stairway Pad Ready For Next Step

Here's a shot after the workers left. Pad box is ready for the next step, filling in. 8' x 8' will be plenty big enough for the circular stairway.

Showing Column Steel

Here's a shot of the west ramp showing the newly installed steel for the fence columns, which will be the same as the ones they did for the Mennonite house stairs. Should look great.