In A Momentum Gathering Mode

Yesterday, while we were still recovering from our adventure to the Don Quixote in Consjeo Shores, we looked out our window and saw Joe, the electrician - a day sooner than we thought he'd show up. A good omen for sure.

The Apprentice Doing Some Wiring

In short order, we had some working outlets in the guesthouse.

Joe Putting Panel Cover On

Joe and his apprentice (I'm remiss in that I missed his name) installed three outlets in the guesthouse, breakers in the panel and hooked the whole thing up.

After getting the guesthouse all wired up, we all headed for the main house to hook up the current to the central power panel.

Joe Hooking Up the Other End

 As you can see above, our utility room is just a tad crowded - mostly with stuff intended for the guesthouse. It'll be nice to be able to reclaim some space... eventually.

Then, just to make sure, we headed back down to the guesthouse where I plugged my tester into each outlet - just to make sure. Success! It all works just like it's supposed to.

It's Live! It's Live! 

Now, the only thing that would make today perfect is if Isidoro's crew showed up to begin constructing scaffolding to begin plastering. I talked to Isidoro yesterday morning and he said that he was finishing a project in Consejo and would have some workers here today. Here we are passing 9:30 AM, and guess what?

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The other pleasant surprise was a phone call last night from Roy of Roy and Son Shipping. He'll be here sometime today with a bunch of stuff for us. I really, really hope one of those things is a pump motor for the pool.

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Before I forget, Tanya, of the Don Quixote, turned me on to a very large container of calcium hypochlorite, that they use in the hotel's pool. It's much more economical than buying HTH brand of the same stuff. They've been getting it at Prosser's in Belize City. I stopped at Prosser's in Corozal and they're checking for me to see if they can get it up here to save a trip to BC. I'll let you know what I find out.

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A bit more on the momentum gathering, since I still have the floor...

Robert, the new owner of the several lots between us and Doug and Twyla is moving ahead with making the lots look presentable for selling, chopping them so they're less intimidating to folks who might be interested. He's also chopping the area of the lots next to the canal where the spoils from the cleanup done three years ago were placed.

 Part of the Neighborhood

At the time, they were too wet to do anything with. Now they can be spread out on the properties (helping with filling of the lots) and also accomplishing some of the goals of improvements on the canal.

 Looking To the Canal Mouth

Our view is really changing. It certainly seems like we don't live 'backabush' any more.

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 And, finally, (no I'm not calling it a 'grab bag' cause I like this other title) here's some shots I took on the walk this morning with the girls:

Pretty Tree

This tree, which is in full bloom with the most amazing light purple/pink flowers, is about 25-30 feet tall. It's located just behind Corozal Bay Resort on a vacant lot. the clusters of flowers make it look a lot like a super-sized hydrangea. Doesn't seem to be much., if any, smell associated with it.

Class Is In Session

A favorite of mine is snapping the pelicans. This time, right at their favorite moorage, it just looked like there might be some instruction going on. Maybe on formation flying, since they still seem to have problems with that.

And the last thing. This photo I couldn't resist after Twyla called my attention to it. A great little garden in a central neighborhood of Corozal.

Hanging Boc Choy

We're not really sure if it was boc choy or not - kinda looked that way, all hanging out to dry. Just too good an opportunity to pass up.

Waiting For the Electrician

Or Someone Like Him...

Hmmm, now where have I heard that before?

But, I really am waiting for the electrician.

Main Power Panel  For the Whole Place

I have wires waiting just for the electrician to hook up another breaker and send Joe Electron down to the guesthouse. The curved pieces above is just my convenient storage location for some plastic bull-nose corner molding I had left over.

From the House to the Tubing

Once it's hooked up at the power panel, it's out of the house into the breezeway (photo above, the big pipe) and across the driveway.

Down and Across the Driveway

Then it runs a couple hundred feet underground to the guesthouse where it comes up and goes into the wall just above the power panel.

Up the Wall Into the Guesthouse Power Panel

Guesthouse Power Panel

So, it really is ready for the electrician. I'll have him hook up a couple of outlets in the house so the constructioneers have some power for their radio... oh yeh, and tools too.

I just looked it up on Wikipedia. Looking for the Electrician or Someone Like Him was Firesign Theatre's first album, released in 1968. Ah, Lord. That was a while ago now, wasn't it?

Sunday - Almost A Day of Rest

Some of this actually occurred yesterday. Like the lights for the palapa and the switch and receptacle boxes out there as well.

Lights in the Palapa

Switch and Outlets

Wiring took a good half-day yesterday. Ozman really earned his keep with this project.

Finishing Wire Run Into Utility Room

Yesterday was also a great day for painting and other finish work.

George and Francisco Painting

Dianna Touching Up

Part of the wiring project was to get the gate motor hooked up. That's done too.

Waiting to be Hooked Up

Ozman wiring the Motor

Yesterday evening Rosie, Monique, Betsy and Michelle all came over for a visit. They had fun looking at everything and trying out Dianna's bike as well as my camera.

Rosie - Taken by Michelle

The Three Girls

Clowning for the camera - what fun!

Michelle, Monique, and Betsy

Betsy and Monique

The Three Girls Heading Home

Michelle Snapped a Surprise One of Me

We had dinner last night at the Cactus Plaza. About fourteen of us. We got together to meet and greet some new arrivals here in Corozal. Kevin and Karin. I'm not sure if they're just looking or buying or what. Anyway it was a fun evening.

While we were at Cactus, I made arrangements with Robert to stop by this morning to see the pour of their pool.

This morning, Isaiel showed up with the front fence bits. I had to make a run into town to Lano's hardware (It just wouldn't be a complete day without at least one hardware store run!) to get a nut for his grinder. So, on the way back I stopped over at Roberts and took a few shots of the pour of his pool.

EDITORIAL FOLLOWS...

Actually, on the way back, I drove down the road by Tony's Inn, which has become a real obstacle course now. Herman the German, owner of Paradise Villa's, across from Tony's and Corozal Bay Inn, ran a petition some time back to get more speed bumps installed. So, the Town, in their infinite wisdom or stupidity, installed three speed bumps - in addition to the one that was already in place. Now, there's even one more, making five in the space of about 300 yards or less. If that isn't the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen in my life. I hope those responsible enjoy the f**k out of those f**king speed bumps!

END OF EDITORIAL

So, as I said, on the way back I stopped over at Roberts and took a few shots of the pour of his pool. It's actually pretty cool. I think I'm going to use the forms when we do our pool. I had been thinking of using 8x8x16 blocks instead, but seeing this pretty well changed my mind.

Robert and Lynn's Almond Tree Inn Pool Pour

Showing Some of the Framing

Rebar on the Curve

Inside the Hole

Length-wise View

While at their place, Robert introduced me to the newest member of their family - Polly. She's a lovable, local parrot. She talks a lot, whistles and sings, and calls Radar, one of their cats, by his name. She can even imitate his meow.

Polly Want a Cracker?

Sharing a Treat

Here's our fence bits in the process of going up. Isaiel's also going to get the gate motor hooked up to the gate. Now, we have to get our "doorbell" or gate-bell working again.

Fence Bits All Around

And More Fence Bits

Working In The Shade

First One Up

Taking a Break From Drilling

Carrying Out the Last Piece

Looking Like a Real Fence Now

Stairway to Heaven and Other Stuff

We're starting with the other stuff, cause that's more or less how the photos were shot. Painting involves covering a fair amount of wall. We've got two basic colors - a terracottaish color and a sand color. There is a nice blue for the decorative blocks.

Finishing Up Painting in the Breezeway

Rolling It Out

Work in the Other Breezeway

Overall Look of the House

Once the palapa got finished, it became real popular for the crew to mix concrete under its shade.

Mixing Concrete in the Shade

Getting Ready to Add Watah

I had to trim the three openings to allow cars easy access in and out of the palapa. the first one I did sort of a "too short" job, the middle one is ok, and the other end is just right

Trimmed Opening From Inside

Cleaning Up the Leaf Debris From Trimmings

Of course, we're then faced with what to do with unused reject thatch, trimming pieces, and small bits of wood from the palapa. Cody took the bull by the horns and carted most of it to the vacant lot next door and lit it off.

Burning the Debris

Now, the stairs in the garden area. Here they're just being framed out.

Setting Up Curved Molds for the Stairs

More Complicated Than It Looks

I had the guys use a lot of broken block and other debris from previous projects as filler for the stairs. Then they covered the lot with the crushed gravel to get ready to pour.

Ready for the Pour

Pour In Progress

Here's a view from our porch of the pour in progress. The next shot shows it newly completed.

In Progress

And Done

Morning After the Pour

In the "Basement", work is proceeding on sheetrocking the walls in the middle of the basement. It'll all be painted bone white when done.

Trimming Green Board

Mudding in Corner Bead

We still get lookey-loos... Here's Mae and Craig stopping by to see how it's going.

Dianna Showing Mae and Craig the Progress

We were able to get Franz Ozman, the electrician again. He does nice reliable work. Here, he's adding outlets to the wiring.

Ozman At Work

Last so far is the solid mahogany doors and jambs we'll be using. Here they're drilling for the lag screws to mount the jambs to the concrete door openings.

Setting Up Mahogany Door Pieces

And Setting Up Door Pieces