Friday Before Christmas Gets Here

Man! Thursday and Friday were hub-bubs of activity. Again, we had Carlos the welder, working on ramp railings, pump house door, and circular stairs; We had the carpenters finishing up the screen doors with moulding and touch-up; Mario's crew worked on everything else - acid washing the pool, finishing Diamond Briteing the bull-nose alongside the waterfall, cleaning the deck and ramps, fixing a floor drain on the patio, installing doggie doors in the screen doors, cool color-changing light for the waterfall, cleaning debris, filling the filter with sand, getting ready for the roof fabric, etc., etc.

Rumor has it that water gets in the pool today! So, on that note, on with the day's activities.

Just A Bit More to Go

Nearing the end with the Diamond Brite application. It's gone fairly quickly, and just looks super.

Acid Washing

Acid-washing the Diamond Brite. Helps remove the white cement film from Diamond Brite's crystals.

Adding Sand to the Filter

Bani adding six-and-a-half bags (325 lbs) of sand to the filter.

Mario Working On Hinges

Mario working on the doggie doors for the screen doors. He wanted to fancy up the hinges, but the tried and true barn-type hinges worked best in the end.

Three-Way Valve

All the piping is hooked up now. Bani had been waiting for the large three-way valve in the center of the photo. That also serves as the incoming shut-off for the main pump.

Roof Arrives

Our roof has arrived. Well, almost. It still needs to go to whoever Mario has doing the sewing for it, to be sized right and to also get the grommets set.

Roof Being Test Fit

It will look good once it's installed. Then, essentially, no more bugs in the pool area.

Acid Wash In Progress

Mario manning the sprayer for the muriatic acid, and Rene on the rinse hose. The acid wash simply removes the haze film and lets more of the blue from the Diamond Brite crystals (whatever they're made from) shine through.

New Addition

Bani cast another bit of concrete to square up the raised area where the pump motors sit. Just cleans it up a bit.

Doggie Doors

We now have doggie doors installed on both screen doors. They've done a very nice job on both, and they work very well.

The dogs are still getting used to them. Not that they don't have any familiarity with doggie doors, we already have two elsewhere in the house. But even something familiar, in a new location, presents a challenge to dogs that has to be dealt with. Deeohgee was the first of the girls to go through one of these new doors. I don't think either Secret or Bella has done it yet.

Cleaning Lids

Cleaning up the skimmer and the floor drain covers. They both got spattered with concrete and Diamond Brite and just a few months of grunge. The guys also spiffed up the skimmer itself. Everything looks brand new.

New Hinges

The pump house door is now sporting three of the new 'Welder's' hinges. Thanks to the hole in the top, it's easy to lube them. Just that alone should make these hinges outlast the old style by many years.

Landing Opening

Carlos, the welder is knocking a hole in the roof edging to facilitate a landing for the circular stairs.

Cutting Door Trim

The carpenters did an outstanding job on the two screen doors. They came back today to finish their part of the project, adding on some edge moulding and touching up some nicks.

Venturi Control

They've even put Diamond Brite around the edge of the holes for the spa jet venturi controls.

Getting Rid of Waste Water

Final cleanup underway in the pool prior to beginning the filling.

Man the Pump

Somebody still has to make sure the small pump is sucking up the waste water from the cleaning process. A necessary, but not very exciting, part of the job.

Moving Stairs-1

- Courtesy Denis Patterson

Thanks to Denis, he captured bringing the circular stairs from under Elsie's palapa to its final position.

Moving Stairs-2

- Courtesy Denis Patterson

Moving the circular stairs involved most of the crew. Of course, there's lots of supervisors too. It's up, but there's still a ways to go. Finally. Looks like it's going to fit.

Looks very tropical

And here we are with it in place. It's looking good too. Kind of a graceful curve to the sky.

Just Got To Cut This Bit Out

Working on the mounting bracket to hold it steady. Need just a bit more block edging taken out.

Nice and Sturdy

Looking quite nice. Like we really intended for it to be there all along.

The Rumor Was Right!

Hey, there's actually water going into the pool. I started filling at 8:00 PM. It's now 5:30 AM and there's probably another hour or so to go. It takes a long time to fill nine-thousand gallons.

Thankfully, we don't have to do this very often.

Applying the Eyeball Fittings

One of the last things done in the pool is applying the five 'eyeball' fittings to the pipes entering the pool.

The only one left to do is the vacuum door that screws on. That'll happen in the morning.

Thursday Before Christmas

A second day's concerted efforts to finish the Diamond Brite in the pool. I must say, it looks like they are doing a good job of it too.

Diamond Brite the Walls

Diamond Briteing the walls is really going fast. They apply a rough coat, then go around and sponge it smooth. It really looks nice.

It's Moving Right Along

Rene pretty much does the technical parts of plastering. Corners are hard to get nice and smooth. He has the touch.

Washing Down Set Walls

Part of the process. Wetting the walls after the Diamond Brite sets, helps show up any defects and other problems.

Rene Doing a Corner Wall

Looking down on Rene as he finishes the transition between the steps and the wall.

Touching Up the Steps

Laying down on the job helps get the right angle to finish the plastering.

Pump House Almost Completed

Bani is almost done with the pump house. About all that's left if to add sand to the filter, tablets to the tower, and to fill the pool and test everything. I can't wait. Probably will fill the pool tomorrow afternoon.

This is probably the cleanest installation I have seen for a pool in Belize. Very impressive.

Started on the Floor

 They've started Diamond Briteing the floor. Everything looks so white.

Floor Getting Close to Done

From this angle a little later, they're almost done with the Diamond Brite application.

Wednesday Was Busy

After a couple of weeks of inactivity, we had a full house today. We had Carlos, the welder on hand working on railings, a door, and some stairs; Endher and Rene, and the boys doing the Diamond Brite thing; and Bani, completing the plumbing and electrical stuff in the pump house; and finally, the guys doing the screen doors. It seemed like a real three-ring circus for most of the day.

So, let's get started.

Noel Just Having Way Too Much Fun

First off, our new arrival, Noel, our little calico kitty, who weighed in at three-and-a-half pounds at Doctor Sheila's on her second Vet visit, has discovered the absolute joy of toilet paper.

What you see here was just the start. That's only a few feet out of a new roll of TP. She managed to unroll the whole thing, then went running with mouthfuls of the stuff into the bedroom and on into the living room.

All that is when she didn't have Bella's tail to wrestle with, or any of the other dogs, or Nelson to harass so much that he comes up to me, tucks his head into my shoulder and meows plaintively, "please Dad, make her stop. I can't take it any more."

Diamond Brite Arrives on Scene

Here's the Diamond Brite arriving on the scene. I don't know how many bags of it they got, but there ended up being a couple good sized pallet loads under the palapa.

Incidentally, I think Bani, although he's a plumber and an electrician, also has a strong back. He unloaded all of that by himself, except at the very end. Carlos, our caretaker helped him stack the bags onto the pallets.

Dianna Supervising

First things first, the guys had to assemble a pump to begin de-watering the pool. During the inactivity, it did rain a bit. We had about three or four inches of rainwater in the bottom of the pool that had to be drained off.

It's Supposed to Suck

Part of the initial process of pumping is to get the thing to actually pump the water.

You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believeYou've got to give of yourself 'fore you're worthy to receive

- Desert Pete, by the Kingston Trio

Priming the pump can be a challenge. They finally got it going. It still took most of the day to finally get the bottom of the pool free of water, well, enough that the plastering process will be able to move ahead.

Getting Crowded in the Spa

Here's Rene and Theo applying the Diamond Brite in the spa. It's amazing how beautiful it looks as they smooth it up.

Screen Doors Being Installed

And the screen doors - they're simply gorgeous. The screening material used is the same shade cloth, so it should last a good long while. Each door (one at either end of the deck) also will have a doggy door just like the screen doors in the rest of the house.

A Quick Scrub-Down of the Pool

With all the rain and inactivity, it didn't take long for the water in the pool to turn green. So, before the plastering began, the pool was given a quick scrubbing and rinse with the hose as the pump was removing the debris.

Doors Going In

The screen doors went in without a hitch. The latches have yet to be installed, but they work well and look really sharp. An added bonus was that they made it easy for the guys to block access to the pool by the doggies at the end of the day - the Diamond Brite takes time to set, just like concrete.

What They Look Like Installed

Here's a quick look at one of the doors installed. Very nice. That bag on the floor has the latches for the doors.

Diamond Brite Being Applied

Even though de-watering took a good part of the day, nothing prevented the guys from applying Diamond Brite to the upper edges of the pool around the tile waterline.

Stairs and Walls Being Done

The job is really moving along fast. And it just looks gorgeous. The spa, except for the floor, and the stairs are all pretty much done.

The guys have started doing the major wall portions already as well.

Ensuring A Good Fit

Some final work with a block plane and the door will be a perfect fit. It was nice to see someone using traditional non-powered tools. Usually, if any planing is required, someone brings out the power planer and away they go. I love hand tools. That's why I've always enjoyed watching the Woodwright's Shop on PBS.

Welder's Hinges, An Example

Here's the hinges that Carlos, the welder had promised me. They're called 'welder's hinges'. As you can see, there's a hole at the top, where lubricant can be periodically applied to keep things working smoothly. I'll be able to apply my silicone lock lube in there with no problem.

They're available at the Chinese hardware store on San Andres Road. Carlos says that welder's generally don't like to use them because they cut down on repeat business of replacing broken or rust-frozen hinges.

Circular Stair With Treads

Carlos, the welder and his helpers are also busy working on the circular stairs. Treads have been added, priming is done, and the top coat, blue (naturally) is being applied.

Bani, Hooking It All Up

Bani is in the final stages of getting everything hooked up in the pump house. I'm looking forward to him briefing me up on how it all works together and just what valve does what.

I've been very impressed with the way he's organized the pump house. Everything has easy access and there's plenty of room to maneuver in the room.

Next Try For Tuesday

Things pool-wise have really slowed down here at Casa Winjama the past week or so. The biggest issue has been Diamond Brite, or rather the shortage of it. Island Pool Supply didn't have any and it had to be ordered from the States. There were a few delays getting it to Belize. Mario told me yesterday that he'll be going to Belize City, I assume to the Port area to get however many bags of it that the project requires.

Making A Door

I'm assuming the Mennonites have been building the screen doors, as they're the same design as the two that we already have in the new house.

Almost Finished

As you can see, they're almost done, and installation of them should be happening this Wednesday. Nice looking, sturdy doors, both will have doggie doors, just like the other screen doors. Nice looking, sturdy doors, both will have doggie doors, just like the other screen doors.

Priming Railings

Through a couple of fits and starts, the railings are finally being installed on the ramps. Here the railings are being primed. They've already been Osphoed.

They've already been partially installed. Dianna noticed that the top rail could be easily scratched with a fingernail. So, off they came and went back to the shop for proper treatment.

It's not an uncommon occurrence here in Belize. The responsible person takes on the job, and for whatever reason, doesn't provide adequate supervision of workers under him and whatever is produced, it's like, that's ok. Hence doing it over.

Railings All Primed and Ready

Frustrating for us, but almost considered SOP. A part of the problem, is finding good workers. We talked with Mario, our contractor a while back. He has an ongoing problem of finding workers, with skills, or with any sort of a work ethic. He says they are few and far between and getting harder to find as well. Mario said he doesn't know if it's drugs, rum, the education system, or what, but something is failing the Belizean worker big time.

Carlos Installing Railings

The workers Mario has, he tries hard to keep them. He pays them well, maintains reasonable work hours and tries very hard to keep projects coming to be able to pay them. Sometimes, sub-contractors, like Carlos, the welder, have an even harder time with workers.

Waiting To Be Installed

Anyway, the railings are finally being installed and they look very nice. It seems like there's railings stacked and standing all over the place.

Looking From the Deck

This view, looking through the doorway and screened opening from the deck, show just how striking the railings look. They really set off the project, making for a dramatic entry to the deck.

Down the West Ramp

Looking down the west ramp, it makes for a nice secure passage.

Another Cave-In

What would a day be without some sort other sort of problem. This is the kind of cave-in I'm used to dealing with. This is in our driveway. A couple of wheelbarrow loads of marl will solve it. Small ones like this, are really not enough to raise an eyebrow. It's just when you get one like we just dealt with in the pool that makes for a challenging life on the waterfront.

Pump House Door Frame

The door frame for the pump house door is also being rehabbed by Carlos, the welder. It's got some rust spots here and there.

We retrieved it from the old pump house, so it's been in use for the better part of eight years.

Reworking Pump House Door

Here;s the door. Carlos has removed the old hinges from the door. They were the common type found here in Belize. Once welded on, there's really no way to lubricate them. The only thing to do is wait till they break or rust out and repair them.

Except Carlos has found a better way. Hinges that can be lubricated after being welded in place. I'm hoping to be able to get a photo of them on Wednesday. They're available from the Chinese hardware store on San Andres Road. I think its name is Fa Chang Hardware. Not positive on that. I'll see if I can remember to check the name out.

Pump House Door Knob

The knob on the inside of the pump house is in a serious state of deterioration. This is the worst knob I've seen. I have no idea what has caused this amount of rust and decay. The rest of the door is in relatively good condition, certainly nothing like this. Luckily, I have a whole batch of replacement knobs just itching to get in place.

Just Like Ann and Nancy Sang

Barracuda. In our canal. I was on the patio area and had just shot the door above. I had stepped up on the seating area to take a look at the canal and the new house across the way.

I saw some pipe fish just swimming along, nice, bright green. Then I saw the 'cuda. At first, I mistook it for a branch. Then I noticed it's tail, just lightly swishing the water. I quickly snapped the photo, and began zooming in to take a little better shot when, with a swoosh of its tail, it was gone in an instant. They are sooo fast. I think it was about two-and-a-half feet long. Pretty good sized for our canal. I had to manipulate the photo some in Picasa to bring out a bit more definition and color.

'64 Plymouth Barracuda

Of course, there are other Barracuda. Take this one for example. It was considered a hot car in its day. Plymouth came out with the Barracuda in 1964. If nothing else, it had an aggressive sounding name. From this angle, it even looks slightly Studebaker-ish, not particularly macho and full of muscle.

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Parking palapa is full. Well, sort of. Two of the three bays. The first bay is full of clotheslines, saw horses, and paint cans. The vehicles are our SportTrac and Denis and Vivien's Trooper.

They're staying for a couple of months as their house has a long-term tenant in it and they didn't want to disturb them. We're letting Denis and Vivien stay as our guests and to give us a dry-run to let us know what we need to still provide in the Mennonite house if we actually decide to rent it out.

Stair Pads For Circular Staircase

 The next part of the project, also being taken care of by Carlos the welder, is our circular staircase. Carlos has brought the stair pads for it and will be welding them in place.

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We bought this some time ago from Eric Burson over in Progresso. It's been living under Elsie's palapa ever since. Finally, it's actually going to be installed.

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First things first, Osphoing, priming, and painting. Then it will be installed. I can't wait. It'll be fun going up it for the first time.