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01 December, 2016

Mid-Week Wednesday

Here it is, the last of the 2016 hurricane season (20 November 2016), although, I wouldn't relax my guard till at least half way through December and even better through the end of December. Late breaking storms are not unheard of.

I forgot to cover some things yesterday, so before we zoom into the future, let's take a look at the immediate past.

Another Deep Dig
 I took this photo shortly before the guys knocked off for the day. The hole is getting progressively deeper. They have to remove the old footing and dig deep enough to place a bunch of rocks for the water to deep exiting without eroding everything in its path. Just like under and around the swimming pool.




Near Perfect Loaf
 I have a new bread maker, which I think I love, now that I've tried using Bebe Agua flour. Compared to the stock flour that I was using, this stuff is a dream. It not only behaved during the mixing stage, but baked up exceptionally well.

Small, fine grains in the flour turned out a very nice looking and tasting loaf of bread.


Two Thumbs Up
Here's another view of the loaf. Very nice. Using the bread machine is very hard work. Put the ingredients in in the proper order. Press a couple of buttons, and relax for two or three hours, then take the loaf out of the machine and admire your handiwork. It just don't git no better!




Got to Channel That Watah
I mentioned channeling the water. Here it is. It won't take long now to get that rocked in and begin forming up to cast the column again.






Alright. That took care of my forgetfulness from yesterday. On with today's activities.

More Pipes
This is that little step area on the south side of the patio to the right of the gate. It soon will be a small ramp so Dianna can get up to her fairy garden-to-be area. The long PVC pipe you see will become a floor drain for the hose and will empty out right beside the gate. The other big PVC pipe you see bending away, is one of the drain field pipes for the septic system under the utility room.



White Paint Makes A Difference
The pump house is becoming very bright. White paint makes all the difference. You can actually see everything in there.







So Clean Looking
Here's looking the other direction in the pump house. Clean and professional.







Water Level Is the Water Level
fill for the hole has already been underway. The far end is ready to begin concreting. The water you see in the hole is at the same level as the canal beyond. A few more rocks and it too will be ready for concrete.





Endher Troweling the Mud
Endher troweling concrete to form the garden ramp. It leads to and from the patio.







Better View of Him Working
This is a little better view. The part to the right will remain undone until Bani hooks up the water supply to the house. Then it can be finished along with the small drain for the hose hanger.






I Forgot, Pipes Haven't Been Glued Yet
Just a couple of shots to remind myself that there needs to be another valve or two placed on either side of the pump. Otherwise if you open the union, the pool will attempt to drain and pour huge amounts of water inside in a hurry.





Good View of the Filter Piping
Conversely, if you loosen the filter side of the pump fittings, the system will try to empty the filter the same way. With valves in place, the pump can be removed for maintenance with little worry about flooding.





Pouring the Ramp
Adding a bit more concrete to the pour. Dianna is most appreciative of them putting in this ramp. Otherwise, that area would have been unusable for her.






Bucket of Tablets and Bags of Sand
New supplies for the pool. Yesterday, I got a new big bucket of chlorine tablets for the chlorine tower in the pump house and for our floatie in the pool itself.

This morning, I had to take Noel to Dr. Charles (very nice man. I enjoyed talking with him), for some more flea meds. unfortunately what he had had dried up. He recommended I go to Prossers and get a spray bottle of flea killer.

Since I had to go there anyway, that's what Noel and I did. I got the spray, and picked up six bags of filter sand for the pool.

Colored, Stained, and Stamped
 Progress on the ramp. It's been colored, with the base color and the highlight, the purple highlight gives a burnished gold look, and stamped. Very nice.






Almost Done With Column Footing
Pouring more concrete into the hole for the column footing. They will probably form the column tomorrow.







Rene Working On the Footing
Rene is stuffing a few more rocks into the crannies of the hole.








Dock Hole Patched and Done
The hole in the dock has been filled with rock and capped with concrete. The rebar framework is for the column footing.

4 comments:

Wilma said...

That is one fine looking loaf of bread! Bebe Agua flour is definitely the best local flour for bread baking. I add 1/4c wheat gluten to each 3 or 4 cups of flour to help even more. I have seen wheat gluten (Bob's Red Mill brand) at Brodie's in Belize City and I have also ordered it on Amazon. I store the bag in the freezer and a little goes a long way. It gives the dough a nice elasticity and the final bread has little bit more "chew" and substance.

Winjama said...

Hi Wilma,
I read your comment just before I went into town. Roshni's Grocery, on 2nd Avenue, Carries a lot of Bob's Red Mill brand. They had gluten too. I'll see about getting some in a week or two. It's about $15 for a bag. By a little, how much would you add for a 2-lb loaf of bread?
Cheers,
Dave

Wilma said...

about 1/4 to 1/3 cup. Try 1/4 first to see how it goes. If you can't tell a difference, then next time add 1/3. Add correspondingly less of the regular flour. Good luck!

Winjama said...

Hi Wilma,
I'll give it a go. Thanks for the tip.
Cheers,
Dave