“I Like Chinese” in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Spent the early part (well around 8 am so not that early) of yesterday morning sending an email to Benny’s to establish if they will supply us with electrical appliances e.g. ovens (ranges for non UK readers), microwaves, a washer, dryer, TVs absent import tax (because of my acceptance in to the “QRP”). They were very quick in responding to my enquiry and confirmed that any goods supplied – provided I prove proof of entry in to the programme – would be supplied without applying the tax. They also supplied links so that Rose and I can see what is available.

We now need to make selections, obtain prices and do a cost comparison against the cost of buying in the States and shipping to Ambergris Caye. Next job on the ‘to do’ list which I will start tackling today.

Whilst I was focusing on the appliances Rose spent time deliberating over the choice of tile for her bathroom and having made her decision made the entry on the spreadsheet she has prepared (detailing the tiles we have chosen by room – name, dimensions, reference number and price per square foot) that we will now send to Daniel Camal, our building contractor.

We then had a frantic rush to get to Pedro’s Inn by noon for lunch in advance of the Chelsea v Tottenham Premiership game that could prove to be pivotal in Arsenal’s efforts to achieve Champions League football next season.

This time Pedro (aka Peter) had organised lunch with a difference – a Chinese meal prepared by Chon Saan Palace (Kelly Street, Belize City) and flown over to Ambergris Caye on a Tropic Air flight. Shades of David Beckham and his pie and mash being flown from London to Los Angeles! OK, not quite!

The meal, which comprised a couple of beef dishes, shrimp dumplings, chicken, vegetable rolls and rice, was absolutely delicious. A perfect lunch for me because I like Chinese. As far as the football was concerned Tottenham came back twice to secure a two, two draw with Chelsea. Not quite what I was hoping for (Tottenham to lose) but it is now in Arsenal’s own ‘hands’. Win their remaining two games and it’s Champions League next season.

With lunch finished Rose and I headed off to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there around 3 pm to find a couple of the guys taking their afternoon break (a fifteen minute rest period) on the entrance stairs so we headed to the back (lagoon side) of the house and on looking up saw Nicholas about to start finishing off the final coat of cement on the exterior of the First Floor veranda wall.

Getting the tools and ancillary equipment assembled.

Nearly ready.

We then went around to the front of the house where Porfelio and Edson, having finished their break, had resumed work applying the final coat of cement to the exterior of the First Floor veranda wall.

Up the ramp to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment to find that Jose had started working on the clerestory window in the ‘master bedroom’.

That’s Jose on the left of the photo ‘supporting’ the wall!

Around the Ground Floor there was evidence that the electrician had been busy at work running the wiring.

“Master bedroom”.

With our walk around the Ground Floor completed we headed up the stairs to the First Floor to find that Porfelio and Edson had finished.

Once inside we could see that the electrician had been at work there too.

Control box in the Utility Room.

Nicholas, having finished the exterior wall was now busy starting on the low veranda wall.

Removing excess cement.

Sweeping it clear.

With the float.

And the sponge.

No access to the Second Floor again. Looks like I am going to have to climb the scaffolding on the exterior of the house!

The headline is based on the song by Monty Python which is track six on side one of the album entitled “Monty Python’s Contractual Obligation Album” which was released in 1980. To my certain knowledge it never made the charts.