Village kids use my pool. Normally when I am here…

It is done. Almost – pots missing for the patio, pots missing for the decking. Looking good though. A few years of growth for the pants and it will be as I want it.

Almost finished. I have to get the builder in to sort out the path and a few things. The carpenter will finish treating the wood this weekend. And the gardener has a few hours work to finish the grass. Hurrah!

The end is near. Not all work relationships in Portugal are friendly

Decking almost done, pool full of very costly water. Now I wait for the gardener to finish the groundwork. Experience tells me it may be some wait…

Wont be long now!

The lovely hard working lady who cleans my house, Dona Rosa Marie. She works like a trooper, heaven knows how many jobs she holds down, and her home garden is about 1/2 acre, fully planted with crops. She is not … Continue reading →

The decking it is being fitted. Looking good. Shower base is in. Pergola next. And – now a 2 day holiday in Portugal. In this area it is the Festival of St Joao. St Joao is (probably not) the patron … Continue reading →

The last barrow of concrete. It’s for the base of the shower. I think Eric has seen enough concrete to last a lifetime.

The carpenter (carpinteiro in Portuguese) has started whacking in the decking base. The decking sits on top of this, made up in panels. All hardwood, all designed to last until November. Oh – go on then, December. 2031. But his … Continue reading →

Water later today. Piped from the carpenter’s well, 100 meters away. A saving of almost €800! Oh I feel a little ruff today. Too much champagne sangria at Bigosses last night. A quiet evening beckons, for tomorrow I am going … Continue reading →

It rained today – cats and donkeys. So all the men could do was finish skimming one wall. Doh

I was told not to call it the liner that but I don’t know what else to call it. So half way almost, the liner goes in on Saturday, the shower soon after. Then the carpenter installs the decking and … Continue reading →

The reason why the pool always needed more (very expensive) water – a hole! Not shown in it’s virgin glory of course. Here it is seen after being abused by 5 burly Portuguese men. Ah, virgin holes . . and … Continue reading →

It’s going well, enough pipes to reach to Vila Cha and back. But – burying dead workers in the foundations? That’s so wrong.