Happy Spring!

We have been busy with projects in anticipation of guests at the end of April and May. While the additional daylight has been lovely for getting things done, the weather can still be hit-or-miss. The above photo was taken on an exceptionally clear and sunny day (about 64 degrees) which was perfect for house painting, but it is just as likely to be overcast, drizzly, and WINDY – making the high of 55 degrees feel quite cold.

House Painting – Outside

Be gone, mustard! It was such a relief to finally cover up the outdated mustard-colored window and door frames. Painting also gave us the opportunity to re-stucco the previously black-painted stone blocks at the corners of the house – there was some chipping in the blocks and gaps where they met the walls. We love the clean bright white with sky blue and our neighbors have commented as well!

House Painting – Inside

Focusing on the guest bedroom, we started by taking out what remained of the old frame for the wooden shutters and re-stuccoing. Painting the black window ledge a bright white really helped brighten the room! For good measure we painted the removable window screen white as well. We then painted the walls and caulked where they meet the wood trim. Guests, your room awaits!

Shower Project

After a year of putting up with a slow-draining, sometimes-leaking, poorly-opening, track-door-rusting plastic shower, we finally removed it and installed a new porcelain basin with beautiful glass doors. It was a bit of a gamble to be without a shower, but we ran the garden hose out the window and showered outside while it was a work in progress. Luckily, we were only without an (indoor) shower for 8 days!

Hiking Up the Stream

Raymond and I went for a hike up our stream, Ribeira Grande, one sunny afternoon. Our neighbor, Luis, informed us that there was a grove of bamboo upstream and we wanted to see it. So, passing under the big stone bridge and past the ‘guard’ goose who resides there, we made it to the rocky, natural part of the stream. The banks were steep and covered in vines and the occasional tree fern. The air was heavy with the intoxicating scent of blossoming Pittosporum trees. In some places we could see how the stream carved the rock along the sides, in others we could see evidence of landslides. We found the grove of bamboo, but had to turn back shortly thereafter as the water was too deep for our boots.

Bathroom Wall / Hillside Project

As a part of the terrace removal / rebuild project, we’ve been slowly removing debris from behind the bathroom. We made some great strides this week to expose and patch the wall, as well as the stones comprising the stone oven. After pulling out roots and removing as much dirt as possible we cemented the exposed rocks. We plan to continue uncovering and cementing the oven wall in an effort to keep moisture in the kitchen at bay.