“All by Myself” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Up around 04.00 hours yesterday morning. Going to bed just after 22.00 hours the night before was partly to do with it. That plus I don’t normally need that much sleep anyway.

The early ‘up’ was good though because it enabled me to knock-out (not an expression that finds a lot of favour with Rose at the moment!) yesterday’s edition before the morning’s football ( non UK readers soccer ) fest began.

As it turned out it proved to be not much of a fest. More like a snack with no tasty bits. But … It was football, so I watched it.

With the football ‘out of the way’I turned my attention to looking after Rose (thanks from both of us by the way for the nice messages) and made her breakfast (nothing too adventurous or displaying great culinary skills I am sorry to say) which she ate in bed.

The rest of the morning passed with me generally displaying my nursing skills (about as good as my cooking) which included making sure Rose took her medication, frequent glasses of water, dressing the wound on her leg and replenishing the ice pack for the swelling on the left side of her face. There are no photos (strict embargo placed on this by Rose) but she currently bears a striking resemblance to Joseph (incorrectly called John in the 1980 film “The Elephant Man”) Merrick. Even sounds a bit like him (or at least based on the portrayal of him by John Hurt).

Around 13.00 hours I drove to Briana’s in Angel Coral Street (“Back Street”) to collect the two chicken soups that I ordered on the ‘phone (I wanted to make sure of my order). I reckoned that soup would be nourishing and easy eating for Rose and didn’t want to risk anything that I might make and put before her (if I am honest I didn’t fancy putting it before me either!).

After lunch, washing up and generally making sure that Rose had everything she needed (apart from me of course!) I set off all by myself to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there just before 16.00 hours. Just as the guys were ‘clocking off’ for the day.

As I parked the ‘cart a number of them came up to me to ask how Rose was. They had seen the cuts and bruises the day before and how distressed she was. I told them that she was doing fine and that they would most likely see her on Monday. They all seemed pleased with this news.

With all the guys gone apart from the security guy I started off my tour in the Ground Floor self-contained apartment.

First stop was in to the en-suite for the larger of the two bedrooms.

Grouting nearly finished.

In to the second bathroom where Ernesto had also nearly finished the grouting.

The window is level honestly. I must learn to stand straight!

Next up to the First Floor but on the way I took time to take a close look at the entrance that Manuel had finished tiling.

First flight (obviously).

Second flight and landing. Note that the skirting tiles have been fitted.

Once up on the veranda I could see that Christopher had finished grouting the final section.

North-east corner.

In to the house where I found that Moses had fitted architrave around the doors in the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room).

Bathroom door.

Door to hallway.

Looking inside the bathroom I saw that Rolando had fitted the shower head and valve.

Out in to the main area (living/dining/kitchen) and the first thing that struck me was that there was a ladder to provide access to the Second Floor.

I don’t know for sure but I think the guys have put it there to make it easier for Rose when she ‘returns to duty’.

Looking across the room I noticed that Rolando (he had been a busy boy) had fitted the pendant lights above where the breakfast bar will be.

Oh, and Moses had fitted the drawers and doors for the cabinets where the sink will go.

Note the microwave ready for installation.

If that wasn’t enough Edgar had fitted another granite countertop.

Cabinet to the right of the oven (range).

With my tour of the First Floor complete I headed up to the Second Floor via the step ladder (so much easier than using the scaffold).

In to our bedroom where I saw immediately that Moses had fitted the architrave around the bathroom doors.

Doors for the walk-in closets starting to look finished now.

Door to my bathroom.

In to my bathroom where I found that Rolando (told you he had been busy) had fitted my shower head and valve.

And the light above the shower.

Oh, I forgot to mention that when I was on the First Floor I noticed that Rolando had also started fitting the down lights for the veranda.

Feeling really pleased with what I had seen I headed home to give Rose a progress report that I knew would cheer her up.

On the way home I saw the first use (well, first time for me) of the new gazebos at the Boca Del Rio Park.

Got to bring this edition to a close now because I need to get ready for the Arsenal v Spurs game. It’s the BIG one!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1975 by Eric Carmen which reached number two in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number twelve in the UK Singles Chart.

“Accidents Will Happen” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Ten months in to this blogging ‘lark’ I am starting to realise just how addictive it can get.

When I was working for a living there were times (if you were to ask my wife Rose she would probably say all of the time) when I became a little (OK, a lot) obsessive. Wouldn’t say that I became OCD but wouldn’t be surprised if I came extremely close to it.

When I retired (well to tell the truth, made redundant which ‘encouraged’ me to take early retirement) I chilled out. Yes, we had stuff (lots of stuff actually ) to do for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize to move from a dream to reality. Declutter our two bedroom apartment, put it up for sale, decide which things we would bring with us and which we would discard. Get our finances in order. You know the kind of things. But all of this was accomplished in a fairly relaxed manner.

And then I started blogging. What am I going to write about? How long should it be? How short can it be? Which photographs to use? And then there’s the song title!

But then something comes along and puts it all in to perspective and that’s what happened yesterday.

With a black sky and intermittent rain Rose and I didn’t really do a great deal. Yes we had breakfast followed some time after by lunch but the day sort of just passed until it got to around 15.15 hours when we decided -rain or not- we were going to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. As we do every day (well maybe not every Sunday). Nothing unusual.

On the way there we stopped off at BTL to top-up the credits on our mobile phones because it was a double-up day eg pay for BZ$ 30 and get BZ$ 60 of phone credits.

By the time Rose came out of the BTL office the rain had stopped and all was looking good. Or so we thought.

We got to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize around 16.00 hours and on pulling in to our lot could see that Angel and Alfredo had started applying the first coat of masonry sealant to the eastern side exterior walls of the Ground Floor self-contained apartment.

Walking towards the house we saw that Manuel was laying floor tiles for the last step of the lower flight of stairs to the First Floor.

It was all looking good but we thought we would begin on the Ground Floor to see what had been done and started off in the larger of the two bedrooms. Noticing that the sliding windows (door) was open I stepped outside to see that they had started tiling the small veranda. Rose, hearing my exclamation, stepped outside. And then it happened. She didn’t see the plumb line, tripped on it, lost her balance and ‘flew’ headlong in to the back garden. Just goes to show that accidents will happen.

The red arrow shows where Rose was before the fall and the blue arrow is where she landed.

Before hitting the soft sand though she had hit her cheek on the lowest step and her right leg on one of the steps. And the damage, which was immediately obvious, looked quite bad. Understandably she was also in pain, upset and , I would imagine, in a state of shock.

I was helping Rose to try to get up when a number of the guys came out and seeing her in distress (and obviously hurt) they all rushed to see if they could help. Thanking them for their offer of help I told them that I just wanted to get her to a doctor and quick and Angel said that the Ambergris Hopes Clinic was the closest. So that’s where we went.

It took just over five minutes to get there and we were seen straight away. No questions about what our names were. Where we live. Did we have the means to pay. None of this but straight in to the surgery. Exactly as it should be.

Doctor Gonzales very quickly determined that Rose needed stitches in her right leg (I think she had seven or eight) and a tetanus injection and once her wounds had been cleaned up he started the process and it was all completed in around fifteen minutes.

We then had to go to his office where he prescribed some tablets. I did try to get him to prescribe ‘no talking for three days’ but although it made him laugh he didn’t include it on the prescription!

For those that are interested, the charge for the emergency medical treatment was BZ$ 100. And well worth it too.

After taking Rose home I then went to the pharmacy to get the tablets and some replacement dressings. Oh, and a dinner for myself (Rose didn’t feel like eating) of fish fingers and chips (fries for non UK readers) at Carlo and Ernie’s Runway Bar & Grill.

The rest of the night I looked after Rose.

Yesterday’s accident definitely put this blogging lark in to perspective for me.

The headline (and I do wish that it wasn’t) for today’s edition is based on the 1979 single by Elvis Costello and the Atrractions which reached number twenty-eight in the UK Singles Chart and number one hundred and one (?) in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“I’m Coming Out” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Please do not make any assumptions from the headline. Have patience. All will be revealed later!

Up ridiculously early yesterday morning at 03.40 hours. Don’t know why I woke so early because I didn’t go to bed the previous night too early. One of life’s mysteries? OK maybe not a mystery but it could rank as a puzzle couldn’t it?

With such an early ‘up’, and armed with the mandatory (well mandatory for me) mug of black coffee and my iPad I headed for the veranda and set about producing the edition I should have published on Wednesday and yesterday’s edition. It wasn’t too difficult to ‘knock’ the two editions out one after the over but it is not on my list of ‘things to do again’!

I tell a slight mistruth though because I did take a break or two. The first one was to catch up on the news via The Times online ( only to find out that Arsenal has re-signed Mathieu Flamini – blast).

Needing something to make me feel better I decided to take a little stroll along the beach and watch the sun come up. The time then was around 05.30 hours.

Wouldn’t this view perk you up? No? Well it did me!

Back on the veranda I set to and finished the edition and then showered, shaved and dressed (while Rose was doing the same – well, excluding the shaving) and then we sat and watched some of Reef TV’s morning show which featured a very interesting update on the measures that the San Pedro Town Council, aided by a consultant from Belmopan, have, and are, taking to manage the mosquito problem, and dengue in particular.

They gave some very good tips on how to prevent mosquitos breeding. For example just a few spoonfuls of (used) cooking oil dripped in to standing water will prevent the eggs from hatching. Definitely not expensive and extremely easy and quick to do.

After watching the programme we headed down to Estel’s to meet with Rose and Bob (a most welcome reader (as you all are of course) of this blog) who are over from San Diego on a fact-finding mission before they up sticks and move to Belize.

I know I am a notoriously slow eater but two hours passed before we bade our farewells to each other. Just goes to show that it is true, time does pass quickly when you are enjoying yourselves.

On the way back to the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize we popped in to Ladybugs, the garden center located in Coconut Drive, to see what plants they have available for when we get around to landscaping. Think it fair to say that we were very pleasantly surprised at the selection on offer and the prices. We were particularly taken by the fruit trees – lemon, orange, lime, mango and soursop – all priced at BZ$ 40 a tree. Very reasonable.

With our ‘window shopping’ over we continued to head south to Banana Beach to take a look at our condo which we have up for sale (definitely don’t need it once our house is finished) to make sure that it is in a ship shape condition for viewing.

It was generally in good order but there were one or two things that we feel will present it in a better light and we raised these with the Managing Director who promised to action them. We will check next week to make sure that they have been.

If any of you readers out there are interested in a very nice condo at the well run Banana Beach Resort do take a look at unit B335. A viewing can easily be arranged by contacting Pelican Properties. If you do make contact DO ask to take a look at unit B335. PLEASE.

OK, advert over, now back to today’s edition and our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

After a light lunch (can never eat a big meal after breakfast at Estel’s) we took the road north and got to our lot just after 15.30 hours and went straight in to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment where Moses had started fitting the back panels for the kitchen cabinets closest to the entrance.

Just through the hallway we could see that Angel and Alfredo were applying emulsion (the first of the two coats) to the walls in the larger of the two bedrooms.

Angel with the roller.

We couldn’t get in to either of the two rooms but Wilson and Ernesto were grouting the tiles in the two en-suites (something for us to look at on our next visit!).

Maneuvering carefully around Manuel who was laying tiles for the lower of the two flights of stairs we went up to the First Floor.

Nearly there. Then he can start on the fiddly bits on the low walls.

Once up there we found that Christopher had started grouting the floor tiles for the veranda at the front of the house.

Grout in the gaps. Now for the clean-up.

Once in the house we saw a box on the floor near the scaffolding to the Second Floor. What was in it? Our ceiling lights.

Wasting no time we clambered (well I ascended very quickly and adroitly) up the scaffolding to find that Ronaldo had fitted the lights for the ceiling above the veranda in front of our bedroom.

Hopefully you can see the two lights.

If not here is a close-up of one!

While we were out on the veranda we saw that the welder man (still haven’t found out his name) had marked the veranda walls for where the railings will be fitted.

Does this mean they are going up soon?

Knowing that some of you like the scenic views I took the following photo while I was up there.

Looking north-west.

Back down to the First Floor where on looking up we saw that José had ‘made good’ the ceiling in the kitchen area where the lights had been moved.

Needs a paint job again!

And then we saw it. Edgar had started fitting the granite countertops.

I was mesmerised and just stood looking at it and didn’t realise that Rose had already set off for the golf cart for the journey home. That is until I heard her repeatedly calling my name. It broke the spell. “Alright”, I replied. “Keep your hair on”. “I’m coming out’.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1980 by Diana Ross which reached number five in the US Billboard Hot 100, number one in the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart and number thirteen in the UK Singles Chart.

Told you that all would be revealed!

“Do It Again” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

I really wasn’t at all surprised when I got up shortly after 05.00 hours yesterday and got out onto the veranda with my coffee that there was no Internet connection. I put the loss down to repercussive effects of the fire the previous evening at Ramon’s Village Resort (a call later in the morning to the Internet provider confirmed my thoughts – cables had been damaged).

I tried repeatedly ((making full use of my technical skills (sic)) to regain a connection but to no avail. Nothing for it. So I gave up trying to publish the latest edition and just go for breakfast. So I did.

When I got back to the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize I found that we had visitors. Tony, who is the manager for the development we are renting in, and his son were replacing the defective water heater ((we have been showering in cold water (doesn’t bother me but now for Rose …)for two days whilst awaiting the arrival of the heater from Belize City)).

I really have no idea what was required but it took an absolute age (they took lunch in between starting and completion) and it wasn’t until 14.30 hours that we the got the ‘thumbs up’ from Tony that it was in and working. I did have something to do for some of the waiting time though because the Internet connection was re-established around 13.00 hours.

Waiting for the heater to be fitted disrupted our normal routine somewhat and as a consequence we didn’t get to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize until around 16.00 hours and on pulling in to our lot the first thing we saw was that the railings for the western (lagoon) side of the First Floor had been sprayed with the final coat of blue.

“When are they going to be fitted?”.

Feeling very pleased we entered the Ground Floor self-contained apartment and our elation was very quickly deflated. There were big holes in the wall above the countertop!

Rolando, when fitting the boxes for the power sockets hadn’t made sufficient allowance for the backsplash so they now have to be raised and he will have to do it again.

Needing a bit of a pick-me-up we decided to head up to the First Floor but found that easy access was not available. Manuel was laying the tiles for the first flight of stairs.

Seeing that we wanted to get up there and knowing that gaining access via the scaffolding tower on the outside of the house was ‘not’ for Rose he very quickly got some steps so that we could gain access to the landing from the Ground Floor. Argh, what a nice guy!

Once up there we saw that Rolando had made the same misjudgement in the Powder Room.

And in the kitchen too.

We did perk up though when we saw that the kitchen sink had been delivered. Now Edgar (the granite man) can start cutting the countertop. Hooray.

One of my workstations!

Aside from working on the misplaced power sockets Rolando had been busy fitting the sockets for the Second Floor.

Master Bedroom.

Northern wall.

Southern wall.

Western (lagoon facing) wall.

Inside the house Alfredo and Angel had been applying the final coat of emulsion to the ceilings in my walk-in closet/bathroom.

Above the shower area.

The headline for today’s edition (the second one) is based on the single released in1968 by The Beach Boys which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart and number twenty in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“Fire” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

A really late publishing of what should have been Wednesday’s edition but Tuesday wasn’t by any means a normal day and nor will this edition be a normal diet of how I spent my morning before heading off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Why? Well on Tuesday evening Ramon’s Village Resort was struck by a fire.

Rose and I had gone to Pedro’s Hotel for the wake that Peter Lawrence (aka Pedro) was holding to say goodbye to his beloved dog Charlie and arrived there around 18.40 hours. It started off as a very enjoyable night with everyone reminiscing about Charlie. Things changed dramatically, however, shortly after 20.00 hours when someone came in to the bar in a state of real concern. There was a fire north of Pedro’s Hotel on the ocean side. Everyone rushed outside and very soon it became apparent that it was Ramon’s Village Resort that was on fire.

Some of those present immediately left to go to the scene. Those of us left behind grabbed buckets to take water from the swimming pool to soak the palapa in the area in front of the bar because embers from the fire were heading our way. The hotel was considered ‘safe’ because although constructed of wood the external walls are covered with placement boards. The palapa though was ‘high risk’.

As I have already mentioned I did not go to the scene to witness the blaze up close but from even where I was it was obvious that this was a hell of a fire.

Photograph of the fire courtesy of The San Pedro Sun. I didn’t ask for permission to reproduce the photo but hope that they will be OK about this.

The fire raged for around two hours and there were a number of high bursts of flames which I assumed were caused by gas tank explosions. It didn’t look like they ever going to bring the fire under control but slowly and surely the flames got smaller and after around two hours we couldn’t see a flame at all. We could smell the burning though.

The morning following the fire I took a walk along the beach in front of the resort and below are a few of the many photos that I took.

I understand that around eighty percent of the resort was destroyed. I also understand that the owners have pledged to rebuild and I sure that they will. I wonder though if permission will be given to replicate what was there. Will they be able to rebuild with wood being the predominant material? I have doubts that they will.

Earlier in the day at around 15.30 hours Rose and I had visited our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize to see how things were progressing and on arrival couldn’t fail to see that the railings for the western (lagoon) side of the First Floor had been sprayed with the undercoat (rust preventative).

Finishing coat of blue next.

In to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment where Edgar (the granite man) had started to fit the countertops in the kitchen.

And Christopher was at work fitting the skirting (base) tiles in the living/kitchen room.

Christopher on the final section.

Up the stairs to the First Floor where Manuel had nearly finished laying the floor tiles for the landing between the first and second flights of stairs leading to the entrance.

Before going in to the house we could see that Alfredo and Angel had been busy with the rollers applying the first coat of emulsion to the front of the house.

Northern side (exterior wall for the Utility Room).

Inside of northern veranda wall.

Low veranda wall at the top of the stairs on which railings will eventually be fitted.

Southern wall ((exterior wall for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room)).

Once in to the house we saw that Rolando had started fitting the power sockets.

In the dining room area.

And in the living room area too.

In the kitchen area he had moved the lights to the positions we had spoken to him about the previous day.

Red arrows indicate where the lights were originally going to be and the blue arrows show where they will now be fitted. When the pantry (larder) cabinet had been fitted to the wall we realised that we had got the light placement wrong – one of the down lights was directly over the top of the cupboard!

Out on the western (lagoon) side veranda Appolito had finished grouting the tiles.

We left our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize at around 17.00 hours little knowing what would happen later that evening.

The headline for this edition (I am really sorry to say) is based on the single released in 1968 by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown which reached number one in the UK Singles Charts and number two in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“My Best Friend” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

After the extremely inclement weather on Saturday, the last two mornings on the veranda have been very pleasant. Back to normal in fact.

So, ideal conditions for my continued searching on the Internet for the things we want to buy in Miami (an ideal gateway for shipping the purchases to Belize) for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

I’ve taken the approach of making at least two selections for each of the items we plan on purchasing and now only have a few more to go before Rose and I can sit down and make the final choices. Then we can make application (this so that tax and duties are waived) to the “BTB” (Belize Tourism Board) to import them under the “QRP” (Qualified Retirement Program), order and pay for them (ouch) and organise shipping.

As I have mentioned previously, possessions that we have had in store in the UK since we moved here in May last year are en-route and Rose’s daily routines now include monitoring the progress of the Philadelphia Express (the ship that they are on).

Getting closer.

Back to my searching the Internet. As I have mentioned before, it doesn’t require a lot of effort on my part for me to feel that I deserve a treat and yesterday was no different. So it was to Estel’s for breakfast. I am a firm believer that effort deserves rewards !

The rest of the morning and early afternoon, which included ‘taking time out’ for lunch, passed fairly quickly and around 15.30 hours we headed off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize stopping off in the way at the San Pedro Council’s offices to renew our monthly pass for the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge.

As we pulled in to our lot we could see straight away that work had begun on applying the first coat of masonry sealant to untreated areas at the front of the house on the First Floor.

Alfredo hard at it with the roller while Angel looks on to make sure he didn’t miss anything!

In to the Ground Floor apartment where we saw that Moses and George had been busy fitting more cabinets for the kitchen area.

The floor and ceiling are level. It was me that wasn’t!

In to the en-suite for the larger of the two bedrooms of the self-contained apartment to find that Wilson was getting very close to finishing the tiling for the shower area.

And in the smaller of the two bedrooms Christopher was making very quick work of fitting the skirting (base) tiles.

Our path to the First Floor was not as easy as it usually is because Manuel had started to lay the tiles for the flight of steps from the entrance.

Obviously taken once I had got to the First Floor.

Once up there we found Appolito applying grouting for the veranda tiles on the western (lagoon) side.

Then it was up the scaffold to the Second Floor and my bathroom where the vanity unit had been fitted.

Really starting to take shape now.

Yesterday evening we learnt the sad news that Charlie (or more formally, Charlotte), loyal companion for nearly thirteen years to Peter Lawrence aka Pedro of Pedro’s Hotel, had passed away.

I doubt that any of you who either live on or visit Ambergris Caye have not had the pleasure of ‘meeting’ Charlie. A beautiful dog with a wonderful personality.

Rose and I first met Charlie when she was a very young dog (probably a puppy but she was always so big …) not that long after Peter moved to Ambergris Caye and started to run the Pelican Internet Café in Barrier Reef Drive.

Since those very early days they were inseparable. You rarely saw Peter without Charlie. No surprise that he referred to her as “my best friend”. The thoughts of Rose and I are with Peter. You only had to spend a little time in their company to know just how much he loved her.

The headline for today’s edition (in tribute to Charlie) is based on the single released in 1999 by Tim McGraw which reached number one in the US Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart. It also reached number twenty-nine in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“Behind Closed Doors” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Up just after 05.00 hours yesterday morning for some ‘veranda time’ (coffee, The Times online – regular readers know the script) in advance of the Fulham v Arsenal game at 06.00 hours (local time of course).

When I got out on the veranda it was obvious that it had rained during the night (puddles on the chairs, table wet, etc) but it gave no hint of what was to come.

Just before I was about to make my move to get in front of the television the sky got very dark and the wind whipped up. This was followed by a lightish downpour of rain just before I got inside. And then the real thing came. It absolutely bucketed down.

View from inside the condo (there was no way I was going outside in that weather!).

The game started and Arsenal quite quickly went in to the lead. And then the signal was lost ( living here this is one of the things you just have to get used to). By the time transmission resumed Arsenal had scored a second goal. Fortunately – even though the storm like weather continued – the signal remained intact until the end of the game. A game that Arsenal ended up winning by three goals to one.

With the weather being what it was outside I decided to stick with the TV and watch the Southampton versus Sunderland game (not the most mouth watering of contests but …) but then the signal was lost again so I gave that up as a ‘bad job’.

Around 11.00 hours ish the rain stopped but by this time – as I understand – over six inches of rain had fallen. We were in for some very waterlogged roads. But, on the upside, an ever filling water tank under our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Around 01.00 hours Rose and I went to Briana’s Deli in Angel Coral Street (Back Street) and had chicken soup for lunch. Many places on the island make a very good chicken soup but for us Briana’s is the best. All a matter of opinion, of course.

After having lunch we backtracked to pick up a banana plant that Carlo (of Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar & Grill) had given to us. It’s only a young tree but it looks very healthy and is the first of the fruit trees that we intend to plant.

With our banana tree on board we headed off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there at approximately 14.45 hours and set about straight away planting the newest member of our ‘family’ choosing a spot on the southern side of the back garden for this .

Planted.

Now just need to remember to water it regularly!

With the planting done we went in to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment to find that Moses and George had started work on installing the kitchen cabinets.

Doors to be fitted next.

Frames in place either side of where the oven (range) will be.

In the smaller of the two bedrooms the guys had made a good start on applying the masonry sealant.

And in the en-suite Ernesto had started to tile the recessed shelves.

Still a fair bit of tiling to do though.

Up to the First Floor and in to the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) and we saw that another coat of emulsion had been applied to the walls and the ceiling.

And the door for the bathroom had been hung.

The way that Moses and George are going it won’t be long before we are behind closed doors (OK, it’s a bit weak but…).

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1973 by Charlie Rich which reached number fifteen in the US Billboard Hot 100, number sixteen in the UK Singles Chart and number one in the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

“Barefootin” in San Pedro,Ambergris Caye, Belize.

When Rose and I first came to Belize, and Ambergris Caye in particular, back in 1998 I brought with me – not knowing what to expect (information on the Internet was nowhere near as informative or comprehensive then)- loafers and flip flops. Within a few days of arrival though I stopped wearing them and did what I saw loads of other people do. I went “barefootin”!

San Pedro was a lot different then (and this is not an intro to a stream of invective). There were no cobbled or paved roads. Depending on the weather they were either very dusty or very muddy. But I don’t recall (is the memory selective?) too much rubbish about. Definitely no broken glass or sharp objects on the roads. So I felt comfortable “barefootin”.

It’s not for me now though (see plenty of people that are “sans chaussures”). You do come across the occasional dangerous object in the roads (sometimes even on the beach) and I just am not going to take the risk of damaging my feet when we visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize

Rose has been following the journey (isn’t it great what today’s telecommunication systems can let you do) of the stuff we are having shipped from the UK and yesterday the ship (Philadelphia Express) that our stuff is on docked in Charlotte. It’s now on its way to Miami and will then make its way to Belize City. We are really looking forward to its arrival. It’ll be like Christmas in September opening all the parcels!

As I mentioned in the previous edition, I gave the ‘cart a thoroughly good clean. No surprise then to find that yesterday was a day during which it rained intermittently. Just right to make the roads nice and muddy and take the ‘cart back to its previous dirty state. Why bother!

Around 14.00 hours Rose and I (‘armed’ with rainwear ‘just in case’) took a drive to CJ’s Furniture in Seagrape Drive to look at dining room tables and chairs for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. We didn’t find anything in the store that ‘took our fancy’ but did establish that we can have a six feet by three feet mahogany table and six chairs made for around BZ$ 1,000 ( and we haven’t negotiated yet!). And completed in around two weeks from the point of ordering and making a deposit.

With our window shopping experience completed Rose and I went straight to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and arrived there at 15.15 hours.

Parking the ‘cart (the now dirty one) we saw the welder under the trees near the bodega completing the final stages of the railings for the western (lagoon) side of the First Floor.

Ready for spraying soon.

In to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment where we found Wilson fixing the tiles in the shower area of the en-suite for the larger of the two bedrooms.

Working on the fiddly area around the recessed shelves.

We couldn’t get in to the small bedroom because Angel and Alfredo were busy at work with the rollers applying the first coat of masonry sealant for the walls and the ceiling. Ernesto -out of splatter range – was in the en-suite fixing the wall tiles.

Once up on the First Floor we immediately saw what Moses and George had been up to . Hanging doors.

Door for the Powder Room.

For the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room).

In the Utility Room Christopher had finished grouting the skirting (base) tiles.

And out on the veranda Manuel had worked very quickly on fitting the skirting (base) tiles.

Skirting in place on the small wall on which the railings will be installed.

Manuel fitting the last pieces of skirting in the south-eastern corner.

At the back (lagoon side) of the house José was working alone rubbing down the cement around the sliding windows (door). We assume that painting will commence soon.

The original was not the greatest quality. So …

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single by Robert Parker which in 1966 reached number seven in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number twenty-four in the UK Singles Chart.

“Dirty” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Really enjoying my ‘morning time’ on the veranda yesterday with my black coffee and The Times online on my iPad until I worked my way through the sports’ section. Good coverage of the latest Ashes Test Match. Fairly positive coverage of Arsenal’s victory over Fenerbaçhe. And then I came to it. Arsenal are considering re-signing Mathieu Flamini! He did a good job for the club when he was there its true. But that was five years ago and he’s suffered a lot of injuries since then. And he’s got older. I know we need players but…

It was a very nice morning and it didn’t look like there was going to be any rain (all of a sudden I am a meteorologist) so I decided to wash the golf cart. A combination of where we currently park the ‘cart (close to the road) and the drive to and from our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize combine to make the ‘cart very dirty. And I mean DIRTY. Ninety minutes (amazingly long time for such a small vehicle) later though it was sparkling.

After having breakfast Rose and I did a shopping trip. Normal routine. I drive the ‘cart to the various shops (we normally have to ‘hit’ a few before we have managed to get everything on the list) and then wait for Rose while she does the shopping. We take this approach so that we don’t have to lug the bags around from shop to shop. Well thats my reasoning anyway!

Whilst we were out we took the opportunity of popping in to the Krystal Shipping office (look for the shop window with MASH written on it) in Pescador Drive to pay for the barge costs for bringing our appliances over from Benny’s (Belize City). For the ‘cost interested’ readers it worked out at around BZ$ 73 per appliance. A factor for anyone contemplating living here is that if what you want isn’t on the island there will be a transportation cost.

What we hadn’t realised is that just over half of the premises serve as a general store and those amongst you who like cooking might be interested to know that it stocks a fair range of herbs and spices at reasonable (by island standards) prices.

Back home with our purchases we had lunch and in what seemed like no time at all we set off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize . There’s no doubt that when we move my visits to the petrol (gas for non UK readers) station will really reduce!

Getting there around 15.30 hours we immediately went to the Ground Floor self contained apartment and saw straight away that Angel and Alfredo had finished applying the first coat of masonry sealant to all of the walls and the ceiling of the living/kitchen room.

Up to the First Floor and in to the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) and we found that they had finished tiling and grouting the en-suite.

Recessed shelf looking as we hoped it would.

Frame for vanity unit installed.

Out on the veranda Manuel was making very quick progress fitting the skirting (base) tiles. He’s got a hell of a lot of grouting to do though!

Southern veranda finished.

Back in to the house and we saw that Christopher had finished fitting the skirting (base) tiles in the Utility Room.

Grouting next. And then the sealant.

Up the scaffolding (I am really, really looking forward to the day when the stairs are installed) to the Second Floor and after a few steps we saw them. The doors had been hung!

Door for my bathroom on the right and for Rose’s on the left.

Door from my bathroom to the walk-in closet.

And in bathroom they had finished the grouting.

Seat for when I am feeling tired!

Shelf finished.

On the way out we saw that Angel and Alfredo had laid plastic sheets over the tiles on the First Floor’s southern veranda and were about to start applying the first coat of emulsion (finishing coat).

The headline for today’s edition is based on the 2002 single by Christina Aguilera (featuring Redman) which although only reaching number forty-eight in the US Billboard Hot 100 reached number one in the UK Singles Chart.

“Levels” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Up just before 05.00 hours yesterday morning and after reading The Times online and drinking my mug of black coffee I thought about going to wash the golf cart – it gets so dirty (dusty) here. But it was hot and sticky, and it wasn’t even 06.00 hours, so I decided to give it a miss. It will be there for another day. And anyway it will only get dusty again!

So with that momentous decision taken I switched to browsing the Internet to continue my search for the items that we want to bring in from the States for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize

I took a break to shower, shave and get dressed and then I went to Estel’s for breakfast but resumed the searching again when I got back to the condo we are renting around 10.00 hours and I diligently stuck at it (as boring as it is) until it was time for Arsenal’s away game against Fenerbaçhe SK in the Champions League play-off round.

Fortunately Fenerbaçhe seemed more content on defending than trying to win the game and Arsenal easily ended the game as three nil winners. A win at the Emirates in the home game next Tuesday should see us make it in to the Group stage. This does not belie, however, that we do need to buy players. Quality players!

With the game finished Rose and I had a bite to eat for lunch and then set off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there around 15.15 hours.

Seeing Moses’ and George’s bikes there (it’s funny that after a while you even get to recognise the guy’s bikes) we decided to go straight up to the First Floor but before entering the house saw that Manuel had started fixing the skirting (base) tiles for the veranda.

Tiles for north-eastern veranda wall fitted.

Skirting tiles for the exterior wall started.

Skirting tiles cut to size ready to be fixed.

In to the hallway and to our right we saw that the frame for the vanity unit in the Powder Room had been installed.

Note the spirit level on the top of the cabinet.

And it’s level!

One of the things we have noticed during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize is that there are levels everywhere. Not complaining. Just making an observation. In fact we wouldn’t want it any other way. We love levels!

Before we had moved any further in to the house we heard the sound of a car horn. Going to the veranda we immediately saw why. Our appliances (ovens (ranges), refrigerators, microwaves, washer and dryer) were being delivered. They had arrived safely on the Krystal Shipping barge from Belize City.

Appliances about to meet their new home.

Watching the guys (and they all dropped whatever they were doing and rushed to the truck) we could see that the boxes were seriously heavy. So, wanting to get out of their way we went to the supermarket opposite Reef Village to get a supply of soft drinks. The guys would need them.

By the time we returned the vehicle was unloaded and the guys were able to sit down for a cold, refreshing drink. They deserved it.

Refrigerator, oven (range) and microwave in the living/kitchen area of the Ground Floor self-contained apartment. Note that all of the walls and the ceiling have had the first coat of masonry sealant applied.

Whilst we were down there we took a look at how Wilson was doing with the tiling for the en-suite for the larger of the two bedrooms.

Tiles starting to go on the wall for the shower area.

Back up to the First Floor where we saw that the guys had stored the appliances in the dining room area.

Ready for installation.

The big surprise though was when we looked over at the kitchen area. Moses and George had been busy fitting the doors and draws for the cabinetry.

Doors fitted for the wall cabinets (over where the oven (range) will be).

Doors fitted for the cabinets for where the sink will be.

Doors on and drawers in for the cabinets that will butt on to the breakfast bar.

Before going up to the Second Floor we had a quick look in the en-suite for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) and saw that the vanity unit frame had been fitted there too.

And another level!

Up on the Second Floor Moses and George, having fitted the door jambs, were out on the veranda making final adjustments to one of the doors before they can hang it.

“So, how much do we need to trim off?”.

“Looks OK to me”.

View from our position looking south-west over the lagoon just before we left at around 17.15 hours.

The headline for today’s edition is based on single released in 2011 by Avicii , featuring Etta James, which reached number sixty in the US Billboard Hot 100, number one in the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart and number four in the UK Singles Chart Chart.

“Living in the Past” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

With clarification/confirmation of the monetary cost of stuff that we can import for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize under the “QRP” (Qualified Retirement Program) I spent what seemed like hours (it was hours which is why it seemed like it) reviewing the list that we had drawn up of the things we need (OK, for ‘need’ you could say we just ‘want’) and then searching the Internet to make price comparisons.

Our target is to have the list complete, orders placed and delivered to the shipping agent in Miami to connect with a service heading to Belize departing on either 27 August or 3 September. We are then hopeful that within ten days of departure the stuff would be with us. The earlier sailing would be better but …

I started the task at around 05.00 hours (after I had read The Times on-line) out on the veranda where there was a nice breeze but I sensed always the threat of rain (its that time of year!). The rain held off but the sky did show threats of it.

View from the veranda at around 05.30 hours.

With eyes tired from so much browsing I showered, shaved got dressed and made breakfast and by the time I had returned to the computer for another session of searching I had received an email from Benny’s informing me that our appliances (ovens (ranges), microwaves, refrigerators, washer and dryer) had been delivered to the port in Belize City to be brought over to Ambergris Caye on the Krystal Shipping barge leaving later in the day. Some of Daniel Camal‘s ( our building contractor) guys will collect these when they arrive and deliver them to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

I continued with the price comparison exercise until it was time for a light snack before Rose and I headed north for a look at our house.

On the way there we stopped for a few minutes (what’s a few minutes when you have so much time?) to see how the beautification project for the Boca Del Rio park is taking shape.

Looking across the mouth of the river from the north.

Gazebos nearing completion.

And there are three of them.

And some form of climbing frame for the children (and some adults I am sure).

Looking across the river as I headed back to the golf cart I was reminded of times gone by when I looked at this sad old building.

In the early 2000s – before the opening of the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge when the hand-ferry was the means of getting to the northern side of the island – this was the place to be on a Sunday afternoon. “The Hammock House”, or, as it was when it opened, “Barefoot Skinny’s Hammock House”.

Anyway, enough of living in the past, lets get back to the present, our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize..

When getting to our lot at around 15.30 hours we wandered over to have a chat with the welder. Not much of a conversation really because our Spanish (on our list of things for improvement) is rubbish and his command of English is about as good. We were able though to establish that it will not be long before the railings for the western (lagoon) side of the First Floor are finished.

Horizontal tubes now being welded in place.

In to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment where Alfredo and Angel were applying the first coat of masonry sealant to the wall and ceiling in the living/kitchen room.

Starting off in the kitchen area so that Moses and George can start fitting the cabinetry.

Up on the First Floor Manuel was finishing off laying the floor tiles in the corners. Lots of tile cutting for these sections to create the right slope so that rainwater will run away via the pipes set in to the veranda walls.

With the tiles laid the slope, running from left to right, is now discernible.

In to the dining room area and we saw Christopher applying the grouting for the skirting (base) tiles. There really are a lot of these tiles to grout.

Looking over in to the kitchen area we saw that Moses and George had fitted the cornice for the cabinet that will be over and around the oven (range).

Quickly up the scaffolding (we are becoming quite adroit at this now) to the Second Floor where Moses and George had started fixing the door jambs.

From the bedroom in to my bathroom.

Between the walk-in closet and the bathroom. In the background is Appolito cleaning the walls in my shower area.

On the way home we, like everyone else, were forced to take a slight detour via Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar & Grill because of the (much needed) road repairs for Coconut Drive in front of Ramon’s Village Resort.

Cobblestones up. Road closed.

Detour through the bar’s car(t) park. If Carlo and Ernie had a toll booth in operation they would be making a fortune. It is busy!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the 1969 single by Jethro Tull (featuring the distinctive style of Ian Anderson) which eventually reached number eleven in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three in the UK Singles Chart.

“Our Day Will Come” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

After an extremely lazy day on Sunday it’s surprising that I went to bed as early as I did (around 21.30 hours). Perhaps caused by eye strain from watching what seemed like continuous football (soccer for readers from the States) – Spurs followed by Chelsea and topped off with Barcelona. Or is it just advancing age? I prefer to put it down to tired eyes. I would, wouldn’t I.

With such an early ‘to bed’ it was no wonder yesterday morning I found myself awake at around 03.00 hours and that no matter how hard I tried I could not force myself to go back to sleep.

With time on my hands (nothing new since moving here really) I decided to start ‘revisiting’ (basically checking prices) of the items we plan to buy in the States and ship for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

I don’t why but when I started adding up the cost of the various items something made me wonder about the validity of the US$ 15,000 duty and tax exemptions allowance that I have been working to all along. Was this correct? I was convinced I had read it somewhere. Or had I imagined it?

I got out the explanatory notes we had received when applying for entry in to the “QRP” (Qualified Retirement Program) and could find no mention of this. In fact it made it quite clear that there is no financial limit. The only conditions are (and I paraphrase here) that the goods are to be new or used personal or household effects that are approved as such by the ‘Program officer. Also that there is a one year time limit from entry in to the ‘Program for this benefit (this time limit does not apply for a car/cart, boat and plane which you can replace absent of duty and tax three years after entry in to the ‘Program).

So, why was I so badly informed? A little bit of searching on the Internet and I found the source. A thread (and an old one) on an expat forum. There is a moral here. Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet. Always verify it. That is, unless I write it!

Needing to be certain though before we place orders I ‘phoned Roshel Godfrey of the Belize Tourism Board and was mightily relieved when she confirmed my interpretation of the allowance. Now we can make the final purchasing decisions!

In good spirits Rose and I set off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize around 15.00 hours and on arrival saw that the railings for the western (lagoon) side of the Second Floor had been painted with the finishing coat.

In to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment and we found that Wilson had started laying the floor tiles for the shower in the en-suite for the larger of the bedrooms.

Whilst down there we also noticed that some more of the kitchen cabinets had been delivered.

This one will be fitted to the right of the oven (range) with the back struts being removed so that it fits around the column.

Up the stairs to the First Floor where we found that we had to tread carefully because Manuel was laying the floor tiles for the eastern (road) side veranda immediately in front of the entrance.

Once in to the hallway we found that Christopher was applying grout to the top of the skirting (base) tiles in the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room).

Near doorway to the bedroom.

Continuing through in to the main area we saw that Moses and George were busy installing the kitchen cabinets.

Frames for the larder (pantry) and cupboard over the refrigerator fitted ( they are straight – it was me that wasn’t!).

On the other side of the kitchen Moses and George were presenting the cabinet for over the oven (range) to make the final adjustments (eg access for the power socket for the microwave).

And it’s up!

Looking around the kitchen as it gradually takes shape Rose and I just know that our day will come (and soon) when we can move in to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Out on the northern veranda Alfredo was applying the final coat of emulsion for the ceiling.

We’re really looking forward to our next visit because as we were leaving Moses told us that he and George were going to work through the night to start fitting the doors on the Second Floor.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1962 by Ruby & the Romantics which in 1963 reached number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number thirty-eight in the UK Singles Chart.

“Brass in Pocket” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Got up yesterday morning really looking forward to the day ahead of me. This is the state of mind I generally have but yesterday was different. It was the start of the Premiership season and Arsenal’s first game, a home one against Aston Villa.

Sitting on my veranda with a mug of black coffee I had a sense of trepidation. How will Arsenal fare this season with a lack of any meaningful acquisitions? Also would I be able to access their game on the TV? Why was I concerned about this? Because screening rights for the EPL (English Premier League) moved this season from Fox Soccer (which I have always been able to find/access on the TV) to NBC? Last season Fox Soccer televised at least three games simultaneously. Would this be the case for NBC?

By 08.00 hours (the local time for kick-off) I had located the NBC channel (103 for anyone that is interested). Even better than that – (or so I thought at the time)- the Arsenal match was the game that was going to be screened. Ninety minutes later (actually throughout most of the ensuing ninety minutes) I wished it hadn’t been. “Why?” I can ‘hear’ you ask. Because Arsenal were abjectly and maladroitly poor and, not surprisingly, lost the game.

At 12.30 hours in dire need of a pick-me-up Rose and I (loaded with brass in pocket – well, bank notes anyway) went to the Belize Yacht Club to attend the auction of hotel chattels that was due to commence at 01.00 hours. We thought that there might be one or two items (recliners, table & chair set for the veranda) that could be suitable for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.. A quick look at the items to be auctioned and we knew that this was not going to be the case. All were in a fairly tatty condition and some of the items published (in the San Pedro Sun) to be available for auction (eg recliners, filing cabinets, sixty inch TV) were not on display. Seemed strange but …

We hung around for a while in the hope (mistakenly) that something good had escaped our attention. It hadn’t. So after around forty-minutes there we left and headed home.

With two disappointments in the day so far we needed a fillip. There was only one thing for it. A visit to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. That never disappointments us. In fact we always get a boost when we go there.

Arriving at around 15.30 hours ((around thirty minutes before the guys pack up for the weekend (well Sunday actually)) we went straight to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment to see how Wilson, the newest member of the team, was getting on with tiling the en-suite for the smaller of the two bedrooms.

Shower floor nearly done. Next the walls.

Up the stairs to the First Floor where we found that Manuel had started laying the floor tiles for the final section – the eastern side- of the veranda.

Looking north.

Looking south.

Looking east.

Inside the house Christopher had been busy applying grout for the skirting (base) tiles in the hallway.

Starting to have a finished (nearly anyway) look now.

In to the kitchen where we found that all of the base units for the northern side of the kitchen had been fitted.

With these units in place it’s a lot easier to imagine what the kitchen will eventually look like.

How the northern section on the kitchen will be laid out.

Up on the Second Floor Ernesto had been (there are a lot of tiles) working on the grouting for my bathroom.

Section where the vanity unit will go is complete.

Still a bit to do though where the toilet will go.

No real reason to include the next photograph but I know that some of you enjoy seeing the views that we have from various parts of the house.

From the north-west corner of the First Floor veranda.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the 1980 single by The Pretenders which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart and number fourteen in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“You’ll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties” in San Pedro, Ambergris Cate, Belize.

I forgot to mention in the previous edition that when we met with Daniel Camal, our building contractor, we had told him that we had chosen someone other than him to build the fence for us.

Even though it was obvious that he was disappointed Daniel, being Daniel (and by this I mean a genuinely nice guy), proceeded to ask how we were going to have it constructed. When I explained what we had decided upon he very quickly suggested changes that he said would provide for a much stronger structure. During the course of our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize we have come to trust Daniel’s judgement/knowledge/advice so we are going to go with his recommendations. Little doubt that the adoption of them will increase the cost. But we will have a fence that is a lot stronger and one that should last a lot longer.

After a morning taking care of various bits and pieces Rose and I went to Estel’s for lunch – shrimp omelette for me and a burger for Rose (no photos because quite honestly I wanted to eat my lunch and not delay this whilst taking photos of it – inconsiderate/selfish ? You bet) – and after finishing it we went straight to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there shortly after 15.00 hours.

Driving in to the lot we saw that the welder had really made good progress on the railings for the western (lagoon) side of the First Floor.

Horizontal tubes next.

Walking towards the house we noticed that a new workbench had been constructed out of some of the pallets that the tiles had been delivered on.

As the Yorkshire saying goes “waste not want not”.

Up the stairs to the First Floor and we found Angel and Alfredo applying the grout for the floor tiles in the hallway.

Angel on the left, Alfredo on the right.

Working their way down the hallway.

As we carefully worked our way around them we heard the sound of an electric drill/driver at work and as we entered the main area we could see why. The kitchen cabinets were being fitted.

Screwing it in to position for where the sink will go.

Moses (brother of Angel and Nicholas) ready to put the next screw in.

His colleague clearing up the sawdust after him.

With the cabinets being installed the kitchen is starting to take shape and is fast becoming my favourite part of the house. So much so that I just know that when we eventually get around to entertaining you’ll always find me in the kitchen at parties.

The excitement was too much for us (a little bit of exaggeration here) so we took a walk out on to the veranda and saw that – before starting on the grouting- Angel and Alfredo had applied the first coat of emulsion to the northern wall.

Newly laid floor tiles protected by plastic sheeting.

Not far away from us was Manuel laying floor tiles in the south-western corner of the veranda.

Getting the gradient right so that rainwater runs away via the pipes set in the veranda wall.

Back in to the house and up the scaffold to the Second Floor where Christopher had made a really good start in applying grout for the top of the skirting (base) tiles.

Grout applied. A really good match (well we think so) for the tiles.

Christopher smoothing the grout with a fine sponge.

In to my bathroom where I found Ernesto and Appolito applying grout for the wall tiles and the skirting (base) tiles.

Started grouting the skirting (base) tiles in my walk-in closet.

It all looked very good but the kitchen was where the ‘action’ was so down the scaffolding we went and just in time too because they were about to start putting the breakfast bar in place.

Cutting the board to fit. Vacuum in action.

It fits!.

The headline (another challenge set by David Greene an ex-colleague in the UK) for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1980 by Jona Lewie which reached number sixteen in the UK Singles Chart.

“(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me” of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

When started out on this blogging lark I did so (as I have mentioned previously) as an easy means of accomplishing a few objectives. I wanted to record our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. It would be a relatively easy way (or so I thought at the time) of letting family and friends know how we were ‘doing’. And it would give me something to do. A routine in my life. And a routine that required a degree of discipline by me.

Well, nearly ten months on from when I started the blog I am pleased to say that as far as I am concerned it has met the objectives I set for it and myself. Rose and I definitely have a (comprehensive) photographic and written record of our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. With the blog there’s always something there to remind me of the experience. It has also proven to be an extremely good medium for keeping our family and friends up-to-date with how we are faring. And (trust me on this) it has given me something to do!

It’s given me so much more though. A true sense of achievement. Keeping the brain (yes I do have a brain – just that some of you (ex colleagues this is specifically ‘aimed’ at some of you) may not have witnessed it being engaged too often) active. Readers (using social networking jargon I will be so presumptuous as to say ‘followers) that live close and and many thousands of miles away that I have had and continue to have the pleasure of engaging with and feel that I have really got to know.

It’s also given me (OK, I had to buy it) the first camera I have had since being a child. A reawakening of my competitive nature – I now find myself looking to see how many Views an edition gets and feeling disappointed if the numbers drop. I think it may also have given me a mild (well, I hope it is mild) form of RSI.

Forgive me my musings, I will now get back on subject – our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

It was a grey, overcast and drizzly morning and I must admit that I was disinclined to do a great deal. So I didn’t. That is aside from going out to get a loaf and some eggs for breakfast.

I did get a phone call though, from Benny’s, asking if we wanted our appliances to be sent over on the barge from Belize City. The question was asked of us because we are experiencing stormy weather at the moment and the sea is a bit rough so there was the potential of damage to our goods in transit. I told them to hold sending our stuff until next Tuesday’s barge. It’s not as if we need the oven yet!

On our way to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize we stopped off at Krystal Shipping in Pescador Drive to meet with Abel Guerrero Jr ( for those of you who frequent Fido’s he is Kristian’s Dad) to try and negotiate a discount for shipping the wood for our fence from Belize City to Ambergris Caye and then have it delivered to our lot. Didn’t get as much off as I would have liked (do you ever?) but I did get a reduction (knew those ‘negotiating skills’ training sessions I was put through would eventually pay off!).

Feeling relatively pleased with ourselves we got to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize at around 15.00 hours to meet with Daniel Camal, our building contractor, to run through one or two things.

We had noticed when some doors had been delivered that one of them was a different colour to the rest. Not what we had asked for! All doors, whether interior or exterior, were (are) to be the same colour.

Spot the difference. The one on the right is wrong. It will be though. Right, that is.

Daniel then showed us the cement colouring that he has come up with for the open area on the Ground Floor and the veranda/roof terrace on the Second Floor. He had red, brown and buff. We like the buff but have delayed making a decision until he gets the other samples he is waiting on.

He also confirmed that sealant (a suggestion/recommendation made/raised by Julian in a Comment a few days ago) would be applied to the grouting. In fact he appeared surprised that we would think otherwise.

We then let Daniel know the grout that we have chosen for the Verde stone tiles that are being laid on the First Floor veranda and the entrance stairs (oh, and the veranda and steps for the bedroom on the Ground Floor). We have chosen Misty Pine.

With our meeting complete Rose and I then took a quick tour to see what progress had been made and started off on the Ground Floor where Wilson had finished laying the floor tiles for the en-suite bathroom for the smaller of the two bedrooms.

And grouted too. Shower cubicle (walls, floor and step) to be tiled next!

Up to the First Floor where Christopher had finished fitting the skirting (base) tiles for the Powder Room.

In the dining/kitchen area we saw that more cabinetry for the First Floor kitchen had been delivered (good old Moses and his team).

Drawers (for pots, pans, etc) for the base cabinets at the front and wall cabinet (white) for above the refrigerator behind them.

Not far from us Alfredo was on his haunches applying grout for the Milan Super Crema tiles.

Difficult to see but the red arrow indicates where grouting has been applied and the blue arrow where it needs grouting.

Out on the veranda Manuel (we found out his name yesterday) had moved around the house and was making really good progress on laying the floor tiles for the southern side.

When talking to Manuel we were able to confirm (Anton posted a question about this) that the reason the tiles are cut and laid at a forty-five degree angle in the corners is to be able to create the right gradient to allow rainwater to run away via the pipes set in the veranda wall.

Up to the Second Floor where Ernesto and young Appolito were continuing work in my bathroom.

Floor tiles grouted in the vanity/toilet area.

Floor tiles grouted and the skirting (base) tiles fitted in the southern side of the walk-in closet.

On the way out we stopped off to see what Edgar (the granite man) was working on. The first thing we noticed was that he had erected a ‘roof’ for his work area to shelter him from the rain.

Like a Bedouin tent!

Under cover he was working on the back splashes for my bathroom and had started work on the top for the kitchen island/table for the Ground Floor self-contained apartment.

Back splashes for my bathroom (obviously!) at the front.

On the way ‘home’ Rose and I felt that we just had to stop off at Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar & Grill for a debrief meeting (believe that and you will believe anything). Whilst we were there Rose’s attention was taken (perhaps I was boring her?) by the skyline.

The photo really doesn’t do it justice.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the 1964 recording by Sandie Shaw which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart and number fifty-two (it was bettered by Lou Johnson’s version) in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“Life thru a Lens” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Yesterday was the second day running when I got up late. Didn’t ‘hit’ the veranda with the coffee until 05.10 hours. What’s happening?

After ‘knocking out’ the previous edition I got ready and headed down to Estel’s for my usual choice of breakfast (eggs sunny-side up, bacon, potatoes and a flour tortilla. Oh, and black coffee of course).

With breakfast taken care of (or was it me that the breakfast took care of?) I walked to the Atlantic International Bank Limited branch in Pescador Drive to make a withdrawal (oh for the day when I visit to make a deposit!) for some bills that we have to pay.

Then it was straight home to the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize to collect Rose and then pick up Edmund and George (two guys that have been recommended to us to build the fence we want) and take them to our lot.

We got there at 11.20 hours and walked them around and explained where and how we want the fence constructed (it will be six feet high and constructed in treated pine with double-door gates with a combined width of eight feet) and after some discussion we agreed on a price. Rose and I now need to calculate how much wood we need, order it and then arrange delivery to the barge in Belize City. We also need to agree a barging cost and delivery of the wood to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.Oh, and we also have to get planning permission from the San Pedro Town Council to erect it.

The plan is to have everything in place so that the fence can start going up from Monday 2 September and hopefully be finished by Saturday 21 September.

We returned ‘home’ and after having a light lunch and taking care of a few bits and pieces returned to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize in the afternoon and got there around 15.30 hours and on driving in to our lot saw that Angel and Alfredo were ‘sheeting up’ the sliding window (door) of the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) on the First Floor.

Angel taking the high bits.

To our right, Edgar (the granite man) had ‘taken’ time out to help the welder position one of the vertical posts for the railings for the western (lagoon) side of the First Floor.

“Is it level?”.

Parking the ‘cart we decided to start off on the First Floor and went straight to the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) where we found that Christopher had been very active and had nearly fitted all of the skirting (base) tiles.

Where the closet/built-in wardrobe will be fitted.

Southern wall.

Arrows indicate where the skirting will not be fixed until the door jambs are installed.

Christopher had also been busy at fixing the skirting (base) tiles in the hallway but had again not fixed the skirting where doors will be hung.

Walking in to the living room area I swung the camera around (since starting our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize it seems like I am always looking at life thru a lens) to find that Christopher had finished the skirting for the southern wall.

Out on the veranda the tiler had virtually finished laying the floor tiles for the northern side.

“Nearly there”.

North-east corner of the veranda.

Up the scaffold to the Second Floor where I was really pleased that Ernesto, assisted by young Appolito, had started grouting the floor tiles AND and fitting the skirting for my bathroom.

Northern side walk-in closet.

“Young” Appolito at work.

Step for my shower.

We then popped down to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment where we saw that Wilson had finished laying the floor tiles for the smaller of the two bedrooms.

By the time we were leaving our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize Angel and Alfredo had finished applying the first coat of masonry sealant around the sliding window(door) of the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room).

And the welder had fitted the vertical post in place.

Less and less cement colour on the eastern (road) side of the house.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the title track of the album released in 1997 by Robbie Williams which eventually (it spent twenty-eight weeks in the charts before doing so) reached number one in the UK Albums Chart.

“El Cóndor Pasa” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Had a lie -in yesterday morning. Didn’t get up until 04.45 hours. I am surely not going to be one of these people that lay in bed all day. Am I ?

Didn’t really do a great deal. Yes, I spent time on the veranda with a coffee (black, no sugar) and the iPad but … Made breakfast – and of course ate it – showered, shaved and dressed. But that was about it.

It’s surprising though how quickly the time can pass (unless you are waiting for something that is) when you are doing nothing and before we knew it the time had come for us to head off to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

We got there around 14.50 hours (some of you regular readers may wonder how I can be so precise about the time when I occasionally make the point that I don’t wear a watch anymore. Easy. Rose does carry one) to find that a delivery from Daniel Camal‘s (he is our building contractor) wood shop. Quickly parking the ‘cart we rushed up the stairs to the First Floor for a better vantage point.

Once up there we could view the off-loading very clearly (and not get in the way of any of the guys) and saw that the frame for the pantry (larder) for the kitchen for our living area (First and Second Floors) along with the framework for the lower kitchen cabinets for the kitchen of the self-contained apartment on the Ground Floor were being delivered.

Ground Floor kitchen cabinet framework coming off.

And going in to the self-contained apartment.

The pantry (larder) took a bit more effort from the guys . It is four feet wide by seven feet high (we’re never going to have enough stuff to fill this. Are we?).

Up the first flight of stairs.

And the second flight.

And through the front door (OK, so there are no doors yet!).

Safely in the dining/kitchen area with the rest of the cabinets waiting to be fitted.

We took a walk down to the Ground Floor to take a look at the other kitchen cabinet frame and found it roughly in the position where it will eventually be fixed.

Struts (may be the wrong word to describe them) at the back will need to be cut so that the cabinet can be fitted around the first of the columns.

The red arrows indicate the struts that will need to be removed to allow the cabinet to fit around the column.

Already feeling pleased we ‘took’ the scaffold up to the Second Floor to see what had been done since our last visit (the previous day) and saw straight away that Christopher had fitted the skirting (base) tiles for our bedroom.

Northern wall finished.

Southern wall nearly finished.

Down the scaffold to the First Floor and Christopher was at work fitting the skirting (base) tiles in the living ‘room’ area.

First two in place.

Christopher at work.

In the en-suite bathroom (for Rose’s handicraft room) the grouting for the wall tiles in the shower cubicle had shown good progress.

Where shower will be fitted, finished.

Recessed shelf and above still to be done.

As is the area around and above the window.

Out on the southern veranda Alfredo and Angel were applying the first coat of the emulsion to the ceiling and the exterior wall.

“Put your backs in to it guys!”

Taking ‘time out’ we stood on the eastern veranda watching the welder at work.

Cutting the support to size.

Our attention was distracted when a condor (ornithologists give me some license here – all will be revealed later) flew by. Or, as they say in Spanish, el cóndor pasa.

El Cóndor Pasa.

Gratuitous inclusion of the view from our our front door (or, to be more precise, where the door will be).

On leaving our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize we took a look at the granite countertops that Edgar (the granite man) has finished.

Just the holes to be cut for the sink pipe work to be done.

The headline for today’s edition (set as a challenge by David Greene,an ex-colleague in the UK) is based on the single released in 1970 by Simon & Garfunkel which reached number eighteen in the US Billboard Hot 100 (it reached number one in a myriad of European countries).

“The NeverEnding Story” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

In bed by 22.15 hours on Sunday so up bright (well it wasn’t bright outside) and early yesterday morning at 03.30 hours for my ‘pick me up’ mug of black coffee on the veranda. Oh and, of course, my daily intake of news via The Times on-line.

When I got around to checking my In Box I found that I had received an email from Excess International Movers (the company that we are using to ship the goods we have had in storage since leaving the UK in May of last year) advising that our consignment is on its way and should arrive in Belize City on 8th September.

Regular readers of this blog will probably recall that the contract we entered in to with Daniel Camal, our building contractor, envisaged a forty week duration for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Well, the forty weeks was ‘up’ last Saturday. This is not something that surprises us (because we were aware that there would be an over-run some weeks ago) and nor does it disappoint us. We knew that there would be a delay to the competition date when the windows took longer to get here than any of us had anticipated. Having seen them installed we are convinced that they are well worth the wait.

Whilst ‘in’ Gmail I sent an email to Daniel to let him know that contrary to our previous advice that we wanted white grouting used for all tiles (aside from the Milan Super Crema tiles for which creme grout will be used) we have changed our mind. Having seen the Verde stone tiles laid for the First Floor verandas we now want a grout that is closer in colour to the tiles. I’ll let you know what colour we end up going for.

With email correspondence taken care of I showered, shaved and dressed and headed off for breakfast. Yes, at Estel’s. No surprise there, was there! Whilst I was there I bumped in to Charles and was able to find out when food will be prepared and cooked (as only he can) by Charles and available at Lola’s Pub & Grill . Was I embarrassed when I asked the question. Why? Well, because it’s already started – it started on Saturday evening. Some newshound I am (not)!

I was forced (well unless I wanted to get really soaked) to move inside Estel’s when the sky darkened and the rain came down. It lasted around forty minutes and when it stopped I quickly went to The Greenhouse to buy some vegetables.

Once ‘home’ at the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize Rose and I knuckled down to deciding what we want the kitchen island/table to look like for the Ground Floor self-contained apartment. Armed with photos we had ‘screen grabbed’ from houzz, a tape measure, some paper and a pencil it didn’t take us (well Rose really) too long to come up with a sketch and dimensions. Once completed we sent it to Daniel.

Around 14.30 hours we set off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and hadn’t gone too far when the heavens opened up again and it absolutely bucketed down (English expression for ‘rained heavily) so we pulled over and took a degree of shelter from the driving rain. After around twenty-five minutes it stopped and the sun came out and we resumed our journey again.

When we got to the house we stopped first to have a chat with Edgar (the granite man) who had started work on the granite for the countertop of the vanity unit for my bathroom.

Edgar at his workbench.

The granite for my bathroom. “Absolute Black”. Now it has been washed it looks just as I hoped it would.

Close to Edgar was the welder who has started on the railings for the western (lagoon) side veranda of the First Floor.

Cutting a support post to size.

On the other side of the lot the completed railings for the Second Floor were covered with plastic sheeting to provide protection from the rain. These will be painted with an undercoat (to also provide a degree of rust protection) and then receive the final coat of blue (and having seen the tin of paint in the bodega it looks as if Daniel has managed to come up with the French Navy that we want).

Protected with sheeting.

Close by Christopher was busily working on tile off-cuts to produce the skirting (or as Mike has advised, base tiles).

Christopher at the tile cutter.

In to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment and we found Wilson laying floor tiles in the smaller of the two bedrooms whilst in the larger bedroom Angel was ‘making good’ around the sliding window (door) frame.

Finishing coat next and then the painting starts.

Up on the First Floor Alfredo was applying masonry sealant for the plycem ceiling above the northern veranda.

Note that the floor tiles have been covered with plastic sheeting to provide protection from paint splashes.

Looking north I saw that the house next door had gone.

Only the support posts remain. Oh, and an old chair that has ‘seen’ better days.

But as one building disappears another is quickly emerging because to the south of us Jason, our next door neighbour who owns and runs Pirate’sTreasure Restaurant and Bar (and Pirate Villas too), is building a serious BBQ and oven.

It’s huge.

Up on the Second Floor we found Ernesto and Appolito applying grout to the tiles in Rose’s bathroom and in our bedroom we saw signs of the never ending story of tiles cut for the skirting.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1984 by Limahl (former lead singer with the brilliantly named group Kajagoogoo) which reached number four in the UK Singles Chart and number seventeen in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“Where Are You Now” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Wasn’t up until 06.30 hours yesterday morning. The price I paid for having a few too many Belikins with Frank (I collected him and his dog Ziggy when they arrived on the 17.30 hours Belize Water Taxi service from Belize City on Friday evening) who is over for the weekend from the BATSUB base in Ladyville.

Around 09.15 hours (feeling slightly better after three mugs of black coffee and something to eat) I went to collect our friend Dave (whose time serving on the BATSUB base comes to an end next weekend when he returns to the UK) who had caught the 08.30 hours water taxi.

After dropping Dave off at Pedro’s Hotel I returned to the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and took prime position on the sofa and ‘gorged’ on the sport on TV. First I watched Liverpool lose to Celtic (unfortunately I had missed the second half of Arsenal’s win against Manchester City when collecting Dave) and then switched channels (and sports) to watch Sydney Rabbitohs lose against the Melbourne Storm.

In what seemed like no time at all it was time to collect Dave, Frank and Ziggy from Pedro’s Hotel so that they could see what progress had been made on our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize since their last visit.

We got there shortly after 15.00 hours and when pulling in to the lot saw that Angel and Chistopher were applying the finishing coat of cement to the walls around the sliding window (door) for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) on the First Floor.

Dave taking a close look at the granite for my bathroom.

Angel and Christopher (taking a break from tiling) applying the finishing coat.

Finished.

We started off in the Ground Floor self-contained apartment where Wilson had made really good progress laying the floor tiles.

Three quarters of the way there in the smaller of the two bedrooms.

Larger bedroom tiles laid and grouted too.

The grouting really makes a difference.

Up on the First Floor the tiler had cut all of the tiles for the northern veranda.

Ziggy trying out the tiles.

Looking north I noticed that they had started to dismantle the house on the lot next to ours.

Are we going to get new neighbours soon?

Leaving the house we saw that the guys had lifted the railings in to an upright position for painting.

Time to move the golf cart. And quickly!

On the way to taking Dave, Frank and Ziggy back to Pedro’s Hotel we saw Nicholas (long time readers of this blog may recall that he was amongst the small group of guys that last October started clearing our land in preparation for the build) who hasn’t been working on our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize for around four weeks. Before he sped off on his bike I just got the chance to shout out “Where are you now?”. “I am working on the project at Grand Baymen” he replied before pulling away from us at speed.

Nicholas in the white ‘T’ shirt. We miss Nicholas.

STOP PRESS: Lovers of Estel’s ‘BBQ’ (and I know that there are many of you that read this blog that fit this description) will be pleased to know (some of you may even ecstatic. I know I am.) that very soon it will also be available at Lola’s Pub & Grill (in Barrier Reef Drive). Don’t know what the deal is but it’s a winner as far as I am concerned. I promise to let you know when it will commence.

Flyer announcing the mouth-watering news!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1989 by ‘Jimmy Harnen with Synch’ which reached number ten in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“A Boy Named Sue” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Up around 04.00 hours yesterday and my day started with the normal routine which, as regular readers of this blog will know, consists of a mug of black coffee on the veranda with my iPad. It’s the ‘just for me time’ of the day. No one around (well apart from the occasional person walking the beach either going to work, taking the dog for a walk or just finishing the night before) and its so tranquil. Just the lapping of the waves and the breeze rustling through the palm fronds.

When it got to around 07.00 hours I decided it was time for work. Time to get the ironing done. Now a few years ago in my chauvinistic days (its OK female readers, I saw the light) I wouldn’t have done the ironing let alone tell the world that I do it. Wouldn’t have dreamt of anyone being inclined to call me a boy named Sue (phew, got the headline in) !

It’s a matter of personal choice of course but I have never been able to put a ‘T’ shirt or polo shirt on unless it has been ironed. I know that there are plenty of people that can and do but it’s not for me. I’ll probably get a comment or two about this (I recall that someone did express surprise that I ironed the sheets in an edition some time ago). Just don’t like wrinkles in things. I can’t do anything about my face but a ‘T’ shirt is a completely different matter!

With the ironing out of the way Rose and I spent a little time looking at the colour chart for un-sanded tile grout that The Tile and Stone Center had forwarded in response to my plea for help. This apparently is the best form of grout to use where there is narrow spacing between tiles as is the case for the Milan Super Crema floor tiles that we have on the First and Second Floors of our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. We chose the cream grout at BZ$ 33 (inclusive of GST) for a twenty-five pound bag.

Rose and I then turned our attention to discussing the fence we are going to have erected around our house. Our current thought is to buy the wood (treated pine) on the mainland and organise the road transportation and barging to the island ourselves and employ labour locally to erect it. Based on the calculations I have made, such an approach will result in an appreciable saving when compared to employing someone to supply materials and labour. The other benefit we see is that we will be in total control of the expenditure for the materials and will pay for the labour on a ‘pay as they go’ basis. In future editions I will let you know how this works out. It will be a few weeks before we start on this though.

With our deliberations about the fence completed we headed off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there just before 15.00 hours and on pulling in to our lot saw straight away that the welder had finished the railings for the western (lagoon) side veranda of the Second Floor.

Apparently it took eight of the guys to move the railings from one side side of the lot to the other. Moving it to the Second Floor is going to be interesting!

We then went in to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment where we found that some more of the doors and cabinets had been delivered.

Frames for the vanity units for the two bathrooms.

One of the bedroom doors.

While we were there we saw that Wilson had finished laying the floor tiles in the en-suite for the larger of the two bedrooms.

Shower cubicle to be done now.

Up to the First Floor where we found Angel ‘making good’ the wall around the sliding window (door) for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room).

Finishing coat next and then the painting can start.

Inside the house Christopher had finished laying the floor tiles in the living room area.

All floor tiles laid now. Skirting now to be fixed and then the grouting.

Across the room in the kitchen area were more cabinets that had been delivered from Daniel Camal‘s (our building contractor) wood shop.

White frames for the cupboards that will be above the oven.

Out on the veranda the tiler had virtually finished laying the floor tiles for the western (lagoon) side and had started on the northern side.

Western side nearly finished.

Tiles starting to go down on the northern side.

At the front of the house Christopher was at work starting to cut the tiles for the skirting for the Milan Super Crema tiles (used throughout most of the First Floor and for the landing and our bedroom on the Second Floor).

Christopher rummaging to find useable off-cuts.

“Found some”.

Cutting them to size.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1969 by Johnny Cash which reached number one in the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, number two in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four in the UK Singles Chart.

“Better Things to Do” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

As I mentioned in the previous edition, yesterday, after I had put Thursday’s edition of the blog to bed, I headed off to Estel’s for breakfast. Just me and my good friend the iPad!

While I was waiting for breakfast (and after I had finished it too) I took care of my morning ‘tasks’. I had better things to do than just browse the Internet! First off was an email to Jesus Cervantes at TheTile and Stone Center in Belize City to find out what is the ideal grout for the Milan Super Crema tiles that we have throughout most of the First Floor and our bedroom on the Second Floor of our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Next up was an email to my three friends in the UK who are heading off to Ostend for a three day stag party to celebrate and say ‘goodbye’ to the end of Jon’s bachelor state (although given that he lives with his soon to be wife he is not strictly a bachelor) to wish them a great time. They are all middle aged but won’t act like it at all. It will be a messy three days. And had I still been living in the UK I would have been getting messy with them!

I then turned my attention to trying to find examples of kitchen islands that serve a dual purpose as a table or breakfast bar and found one on houzz that Rose and I can ‘play around’ with and adapt to come up with what we are looking for.

The prototype. Our version will not have a sink and tap (faucet for non UK readers).

I mentioned in a previous edition last week that Rose and I had turned our attention to selling the one bedroom condo we have at Banana Beach Resort (we bought it around fifteen years ago). Well last week we put it up for sale by using the services of Pelican Properties and the good news is that it has already been viewed three times. Here’s hoping for a quick sale.

Trying to respond positively to suggestions from some readers of this blog that I vary the photo scenes a bit I took the camera to breakfast with me and below are a few of the shots that I took.

Boats at rest and boats at work and play.

The beach just before the heavens opened up.

Snake hitching a ride. Don’t know if it was alive or dead but I wasn’t going to be the one to prod it to find out!

On the way home I drove up (yes I was very lazy and drove to breakfast) Caribena Street and noticed that My Secret Deli is undergoing a major refurb -inside and out. Cannot give you any photos of the inside (its closed for business at the moment) but when it re-opens this is what you need to look for.

Paint job and an extended roof for outside eating. I imagine that there will be a bit of sign writing soon!

Rose and I headed to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize at around 14.45 hours and when we arrived stopped to have a chat with Edgar (the granite man) who was creating the bullnose edge on the granite for a vanity unit for one of the two bathrooms on the Ground Floor.

Improvised water cooling system.

Water cooling system running from the rainwater collection water tank under the house.

Whilst with Edgar we could see that he had already chosen the next two slabs of granite that he will be working on.

Blanco Tulum – for the kitchen island on the First Floor.

Yellow Butterfly – for the vanity unit in Rose’s bathroom.

Close to Edgar the welder was still working on the railings for the western (lagoon) side of the Second Floor.

Can’t be much more to do now. Can there?

In to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment where we found that Wilson having finished tiling the hallway between the two bedrooms had started laying the floor tiles for the en-suite for the larger of the two bedrooms.

Up to the First Floor where we could see that second coats of masonry sealant (also doubles up as primer/base coat) had been applied to the inside of the eastern and northern veranda walls.

Eastern wall.

Northern wall.

Inside the house Christopher had recommenced (having repositioned the scaffolding which currently serves as the stairs to the Second Floor) laying floor tiles in the living room area.

Not many more to go now!

Out on the western (lagoon side) veranda work continued on laying the stone floor tiles.

Oh, I nearly forgot to mention, that Christopher had grouted the floor tiles in the bathroom (for Rose’s handicraft room).

Area where the toilet and vanity unit will go.

Shower.

While we were up on the First Floor we heard the sound of a motorbike and looking down from the veranda could see that a guy had pulled in to our lot to see if he could sell any of his wares to the guys.

Unlocking the ‘shop’.

To present an assortment of footwear and shirts. A sort of mobile Del Boy Trotter ((Only Fools and Horses in the UK and the Kings of Van Nuys in the States (it bombed there)).

As we were getting ready to leave our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize we were horrified to see that a sacrilegious act had been committed in the hallowed hallway of Highbury House (for new or occasional readers of this blog we have named our new house in memory of the ground that our favourite team, Arsenal, played at before relocating to a new stadium). Someone (culprit/villain) who currently remains unknown had ripped up a shirt adorned with the Arsenal badge and was using it as a rag!!!! What’s gone wrong with the world.? Have we got an anonymous Spurs fan working on our house?

The ‘victim’ of the heinous act!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1995 by Terri Clark which reached number three in the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

“Have You Forgotten” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Yesterday started as most days do for me (do not interpret this as a complaint – just saying). Up early and on the veranda with my mug of coffee and the iPad. A quick read of The Times and then I turned my attention to ‘knocking out’ the edition of the blog.

After showering, shaving and getting dressed (decisions, decisions what shorts do I wear) I decided to treat myself with a breakfast at Estel’s so I got in to our relatively clean golf cart and drove to Estel’s only to find that they had the temerity to shut for the day. But this was Wednesday and Estel’s only closes on a Tuesday. Was the world ending ( OK, so I sound a bit like a drama queen but … I was really looking forward to my breakfast).

Disappointed I returned home (well to the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize) and made breakfast which I ate on the veranda. Not Estel’s but it could have been a lot worse!

I then caught up on emails and was pleased to find that Atlantic International Bank had accepted the documentation I had provided to prove the ‘source of funds’ and the money I had transferred from the UK had been credited to my account. Hooray. We now have money to spend!

Around 14.00 hours Rose and I took a drive to the wood shop that Daniel Camal, our building contractor, has in the DFC area. The purpose of the visit was to review progress on the cabinets (for the kitchens and bathrooms) that Moses and his three colleagues are making for us.

The quality of workmanship looks (not that I am an expert) first class. We were particularly impressed with the pantry (larder) which has shelves ((for spices, bottles, etc – (I don’t have a clue really because this is Rose’s domain)) set in to the inside of the two doors. I’ll save including a photograph of it until it has been completed and is installed in the kitchen on the First Floor. Suffice to say that at this stage of its development we are impressed with it.

Whilst I was looking at the work I heard Moses say to Rose “have you forgotten?”. Turning around I could see her looking quizzically at him. She didn’t have a clue (and nor did I for that matter). “I need your design for the island for the kitchen on the Ground Floor” Moses advised. In an instant both Rose and I realised that we forgotten all about this. We thought we had planned everything to the nth degree. Just goes to show how wrong you can be.

With a new project to take care of we set off for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there around 15.15 hours and were pleased to find that Daniel was there so we set about reviewing the architectural plans and measuring the area where the island can be erected in the kitchen of the Ground Floor apartment.

After some discussion, which included bouncing various ideas around, Rose and I have settled on having an island cum table. We now have to design this so that Moses can work on it. We promised to have this done by next Monday.

With the decision taken we then reviewed progress on the house and given that we were already there started off on the Ground Floor where Wilson had, in between laying floor tiles for the hall between the two bedrooms, cut the tiles required to finish off the kitchen/living room.

Tiles cut for the southern wall of the kitchen/living room.

And for the north-western wall.

Tiles for the hallway between the two bedrooms nearly completed.

Up on the First Floor Christopher had applied grouting for the floor tiles in the Utility Room

It’s amazing how much more finished the floor looked with just a bit of grouting.

Around in the living/dining room we saw that Christopher had also managed to lay some more floor tiles.

Getting ever closer to where the stairs will be fitted.

Out on the western (lagoon side) veranda work had continued on laying the Verde tile.

I’m not afraid of heights but…

Up on the Second Floor Ernesto had started applying grouting in the bathrooms (photos in a future edition).

On the way out we stopped to have a chat with Edgar (the granite man) who was just about to start work on the countertops for the vanity units for the en-suite bathroom (for Rose’s handicraft room) and Powder Room on the First Floor. He had also placed the granite that will be used for the vanity units for the two bedrooms on the Ground Floor on his workbench.

The blue shade is for the bathroom and Powder Room on the First Floor and the other slab is for the two bathrooms on the Ground Floor.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the 2003 single by Darryl Worley which reached number one in the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number twenty-two in the US Billboard Hot 100.

Having finished this edition I am now going for breakfast. They are open today!

“Reflections” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Think the drugs (before you start thinking wrong thoughts about me they were painkillers) must have got to me on Monday evening because by 21.45 hours I was in bed and within minutes asleep. There was a price though. I woke around 02.30 hours yesterday morning and, although I tried to go back to sleep, was up fifteen minutes later.

Out on the veranda (yes with my coffee and iPad) I tried to access the Internet but it was down once again. My luck was in though because the new edition of The Times had already downloaded. Still no purchase by Arsenal though.

Internet appeared and then disappeared just as quickly so I decided to go wash the golf cart (at 05.45 hours its nice and cool) and try out the degreaser (thanks to a link that Wes provided) on the seats. The degreaser worked very well but try as I may I just could not shift some really stubborn spots where dirt, or some other substance, has become ingrained. Next time I will try diluted bleach and Cif.

Back in the condo we are renting during the course of our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize by 07.30 hours (its only a little ‘cart but I gave it a really thorough clean) I had breakfast and then – given that the Internet was functioning- set about making arrangements for the appliances (ovens, refrigerators, microwaves, washer and dryer) that are being held in store at Benny’s to be barged over to us on Friday 16 August (they will arrive on the island the following day).

Next job was to provide the necessary documentation (proof of source of funds) to Atlantic International Bank for a transfer of money I want (need is perhaps the more correct word) to make. I do understand the concerns that financial institutions have about money laundering but the lengths you have to go to when moving money from one country to another really are a pain.

Rose and I then set about starting a list for all of the items (brooms, mops, buckets, hosepipes, a rake, a shovel, a wheelbarrow, water dispensers, etc) that we need to get for our new home. When we have finished drawing up the list our plan is to visit the numerous stores on the island and record prices. We will then decide which stores we buy what from (obviously our price comparison excursions will include discount negotiations). In future editions I will let you know how we get on (and the prices that we end up paying).

At around 15.00 hours ((cannot be precise because I do not wear a watch much (only if we are travelling) anymore)) we set off for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there fairly quickly (recent regrading of the road north of the bridge has ‘removed’ nearly all of the potholes).

Pulling in to the lot we could see immediately that the sliding window (door) for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) had been installed.

All windows in now.

Before heading in to the house we stopped to see how Edgar (the granite man from Spanish Lookout) was getting on and as we got closer could see that he had started work on the countertop for the kitchen of the Ground Floor self-contained apartment.

Edgar at work creating the bullnose edges.

The bullnose starting to take shape.

Nearby the welder was at work on the railings for the western (lagoon) side of the Second Floor.

One of the joins.

On the way to the house I saw that Edgar had pulled the granite for my bathroom to one side. Is this the next piece that he will work on ?

Difficult to see in this photo but the granite is black. Even in a dirty and dusty state the granite has a sheen to it and gives off reflections (look hard and you can see me and the house).

Before heading up to the First Floor we went in to the self-contained apartment on the Ground Floor where we found that the tiling for the floor of the kitchen/living room area had virtually been completed (just the strips near the walls to be laid).

Tiles near the entrance laid.

Near the walls to finish.

Wilson, who has taken over from Rene, had started laying the floor tiles for the hallway between the two bedrooms.

The start of the hallway (its wider than it looks in the photo but freshly laid tiles prevented a better angle …).

Up to the First Floor where we got a closer look at the sliding window (door) that had just been installed.

From the inside. In the background is the view that Rose will have from her handicraft room.

When Angel and Alfredo were installing the window they found that some of the cement had not cured properly so they had to remove it.

Cement removed. Obviously ‘making good’ is now required.

Inside the house Christopher had started laying the floor tiles in the living room area.

Christopher at work.

Out on the western (lagoon) veranda good progress had been made on laying the Verde floor tiles.

South to north view.

North to south view.

Up on the Second Floor Ernesto had finished tiling the seat in my shower.

Close-up view.

Today’s headline is based on the single released in 1967 by Diana Ross & the Supremes (the first released following the name change) which reached number two in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number five in the UK Singles Chart.

“Summer in the City” (Belize City) when away from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

As I mentioned in the previous edition, I had an appointment at 08.00 hours at the Dental Center yesterday morning and had to catch the Caye Caulker Water Taxi 06.00 service to get to Belize City for this.

I (as long time readers will know) am always up early so getting ready for this early departure was not a problem. Catching the boat was made even easier because Rose got up to run me there in the golf cart (big cheer for Rose now!).

I was at the terminal by 05.50 hours and when they called for boarding I managed to belie my age by very adroitly (and swiftly) getting to near the front of the queue (my very English habit of queuing orderly has disappeared since moving to Belize. why? Hardly anybody respects a queue. And if you do you get left behind) and secured a seat near the boat ‘doorway’. On a dry day when the sea is calm this is a great spot for ‘catching’ the breeze. Not a great spot though if it is raining or the water is rough. Then you can get drenched.The trip over though was dry and calm. My seat selection worked!

Unless you really need to be in Belize City early in the morning though I would recommend that you avoid the first boat of the day. It gets packed and at times the person sitting next to you is so close it feels like it might be your Siamese twin. Or that’s how it felt for me at times. At least it was a female though.

The visit to the dentist identified (after cutting open my gum and stitching it up afterwards) that the implant hadn’t grafted. So, in around eight weeks time I am back there again for another attempt. Can’t wait!

On the way to catch the water taxi back to San Pedro I stopped off to get some painkillers (nine Enantyum tablets at a cost of BZ$ 49.50) and a panoramic X-Ray (at a cost of BZ$ 160) and having done so thought that I might walk to the terminal but after around fifteen minutes I concluded that when its summer in the city (Belize City that is) it is not the ideal time for walking so I caught a cab (taxi for non UK readers).

I failed to get to the terminal in time for the 10.30 hours service so rather than just sit around until the noon service I took a leisurely stroll to the Mirab store close to the Tourism Village.

The store has a wide range of goods available – from tableware to pots and pans, to bed linen, towels, gardening equipment, TVs, refrigerators, toys, perfume, shoes. The list goes on – but don’t expect price parity (or anything close to it) with your previous place of abode (in my case, London) because you won’t find it. Everything (well everything I looked at anyway) is more expensive. And in some cases the quality is not as good.

Irrespective of this, Rose and I know that we will need to make some of the purchases for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize locally and for this reason after we left the BATSUB base last week we visited Mirab’s Furniture Gallery on the Western Highway.

The store had been recommended to us by Gary, a friend we have made since moving to Ambergris Caye, and we were hopeful of making selections and negotiating a discount with Mike and Gianna the owners. Regrettably at the time of our visit they were out of the country so we were unable to try out our negotiation skills. It didn’t stop us though from having a good look around and identifying some pieces that we might like to purchase.

Potential patio set for the First Floor veranda.

Potential (high) ‘easy’ chair for the First Floor veranda. Only problem is that they only have one left and Rose likes it too. Will I be chivalrous?

Could these be the dining room table and chairs we are looking for?

Still with time to spare before I caught the water taxi I lingered for a while on the swing bridge and saw the fishermen cleaning their boats after the morning’s fish.

Looking out from the swing bridge.

Fishermen busily cleaning their boats.

The ride back was a very pleasant one – the boat was relatively empty – and when the boat docked at San Pedro Rose was there waiting to take me back ‘home’. Once there I had a cup of coffee (needed liquid to take my medication) and a couple of rolls for lunch which I ate very slowly (and painfully). After taking care of one or two things on the Internet it was nearly 16.00 hours so we headed off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

When we pulled in to the lot we could see that the frame for the sliding window (door) was ‘in’ for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) on the First Floor.

Up the stairs to the First Floor and we found Angel making the final (we hope) adjustments for the frame.

Once in the house we found Christopher just finishing laying the last of the floor tiles for the Utility Room.

Hearing a banging noise we headed out to the veranda (western/lagoon side) where we found a new member of Daniel Camal’s (our building contractor) team laying floor tiles.

The Verde (stone) tile that we have chosen for the First Floor verandas ( and the entrance stairs).

Up on the Second Floor Ernesto was still working on my bathroom but was on the final stages.

All floor and wall tiles laid.

Recessed shelf area finished. The bathroom is really starting to take shape now.

With the tour of the upper floors finished we headed down to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment where we found Wilson (first day in the employment of Daniel) finishing off laying the floor tiles for the kitchen/living room.

Just the section near the front door to go.

In to the larger of the two bedrooms and we found that the sliding window (door) had been fitted.

View from the inside.

View from the outside.

View from a distance.

On the way out we stopped to watch the welder at work.

Doing a Darth Vader impersonation.

Railings for the Second Floor western (lagoon) side coming along nicely.

Just as we were leaving we met Edgar who has come over from Spanish Lookout (this is where Daniel sourced the granite ) to cut and fit the granite for our kitchen and bathroom cabinets. He had erected his workbench close to the bodega.

Ready for action!

Today’s headline is based on the 1966 single by The Lovin’ Spoonful (Rose still carries a torch for John Sebastian to this day) which reached number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number eight in the UK Singles Chart.

“So You Win Again” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Slowly getting back to normal but have started writing this edition Sunday lunchtime. The reason for the early start on it is that I have an appointment on Monday at the Dental Center in Belize City at 08.00 hours. The appointment , which is with Doctor Hernandez who visits the Dental Center once a month,will result (hopefully) in a solution being diagnosed for the implant that didn’t ‘take’ (I’ll let you know in a future edition if one was found or not).

Having made a start on this edition I took time out to watch Arsenal play against Galatasaray in the Emirates Cup (before my ‘friends’ in the UK rush to post a comment, yes I do know that we (Arsenal) have to run our own cup competition to try and win something). We didn’t play particularly well and it was no great surprise that we lost to two Didier Drogba goals (he always scores against Arsenal). Whenever he plays it is a case of shouting ‘so you win again’. If only he had played for Arsenal!

Time now to step back a day and let you know what Rose and I saw when we went to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize at around 15.15 hours on Saturday.

As we pulled in to our lot we could hear a grinding noise (and this time it wasn’t our golf cart) and looking up saw that a guy was at work removing excess concrete from the aperture for the sliding window (door) for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) on the First Floor.

Haven’t a clue who it was because he had (sensibly) covered his face to protect himself from the dust.

Before going in to the house we noticed that quite close to where we had parked the ‘cart was a trailer and on it was the granite for the kitchens and bathrooms.

Once up on the First Floor we saw that Christopher had completed laying the full floor tiles for the Utility Room.

Just the edges and the grouting to go.

We then went up to the Second Floor and found that the ceiling for the veranda (western -facing the lagoon) had been painted.

Needs the lights to be installed now.

Inside the house Ernesto had made very good progress on my bathroom and had finished laying the tiles for the shower floor.

Floor finished. Now for the seat and the remaining row of wall tiles. The effect is just what I was hoping for.

We then headed down to the Ground Floor to the self-contained apartment where Rene is laying the floor tiles for the kitchen/living room. He has ‘broken the back’ of the tiling and now has about a eighth of the area to go.

Looking from south-east to north-west.

Looking from south-west to north-east.

In the corner of the room we saw that the mirrors for the bathrooms had arrived.

Mirrors safely crated.

Out in the garden, in the shade of the trees near the bodega the welder had been at work on the railings for the western side of the Second Floor.

It is going to be very interesting to see how the guys get the railings up on to the Second Floor. They look very heavy.

Got to bring this edition to a conclusion now because I have to get ready to catch the 06.00 hours Caye Caulker Water Taxi service to Belize City for my dental appointment.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the 1977 single by Hot Chocolate which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart and number thirty-one in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“Crazy” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Back with a normal (well as normal as normal can ever be) service with today’s edition. The visit Rose and I made to the BATSUB base was a very interesting one and was a very enjoyable diversion from our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

A consequence of our brief time away from Ambergris Caye is that I am now ‘playing’ catch-up on the work that has been been carried out on our house. I will catch up though by publishing an edition on Monday. Something that I don’t always do.

Enough of future action and back to today (but by the time I publish this edition it will be tomorrow. Confused? Me too. I knew this could prove difficult). I couldn’t even manage the twelve hour clock so what chance have I got ‘juggling’ days! This could get crazy.

Anyway, on Saturday I got up stupidly early at 03.50 hours ( fell asleep on the sofa the previous night at 21.30 hours and paid the price) and the Internet was out (something living here that you just have to accept and get used to – you know it will come back at some time) so I ‘went’ with the Kindle and returned to reading Rabbit is Rich by John Updike. His books aren’t for everyone but I find them quite enjoyable.

The hours quickly passed by and at around 07.30 hours Rose got up and magically the Internet returned. The strange powers of women! With my connection to the outside world in place again I was able to read The Times on-line and then Rose and I had breakfast.

I then tackled sketching the type of fence we want around our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. We are looking at using pimenta (a tree indigenous to Belize) and have a six foot high fence running both sides of the back garden from the sea wall to a fence of the same height at the front (roadside). The plan is to have two, four foot gates that ‘run’ in line with the ramp leading to the Store Room/Garage on the Ground Floor.

I eventually finished the sketch (not the greatest piece of architectural drawing but I think it should be good enough) and it is now ready to hand-over to the guy we have identified to make and erect the fence for us for him to prepare a quotation. If the ‘price is right’ we would like to get the fence started before we move in.

Enough of what I did yesterday and time to move back one day to Friday for the visit that Rose and I made to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Told you it might get crazy.

Work had continued on the bathroom for the bedroom on the First Floor (Rose’s handicraft room) and Christopher wasn’t that many tiles short of finishing it.

As we have found,when it gets to the odd shape of tile part of the tiling Christopher moves on to another room and this was the case again. Christopher had moved to the Utility Room.

And had made a good start.

In the kitchen we saw that Moses and his colleagues had delivered the rest of the carpentry for the breakfast bar.

Really looking forward to seeing this installed.

We did venture up to the Second Floor but couldn’t get in to my bathroom without disturbing Ernesto’s productivity (wouldn’t want to do that) so we went down to the Ground Floor apartment but on the way saw that the inside of the north-eastern side of the veranda wall had received its first coat of masonry sealant.

And the outside of the wall had too.

Once down on the Ground Floor we were able to take a peek at Rene at work continuing to lay the floor tiles for the kitchen/living room area of the self-contained apartment.

Before we set off for ‘home’ we saw that Angel and Alfredo had finished applying the first coat of masonry sealant to the First Floor northern veranda wall.

Alfredo and Angel ‘chewing the fat’ at the end of another day.

Up above them José was continuing with what appears to be the never ending task of filling the joints between the plycem boards.

Under the trees the welder (none of the regular guys know his name so this is my challenge) was finishing for the day but had made progress on the railings.

Starting to take shape.

In tomorrow’s edition I will bring you up-to-date with what Rose and I saw at our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize yesterday. Told you it might get confusing.

Today’s headline is based on the 1961 single by Patsy Cline which reached number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It subsequently became her signature tune.

“Magical Mystery Tour” (Part 2) from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

In the previous edition I ‘said’ that I would publish a second part for the magical mystery tour that Rose and I were lucky enough to make to the BATSUB base at Ladyville near Belize City and in this edition I do just that.

Before doing this though I will bring you up-to-date on our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize by letting you know and see what was going on/had been done when we visited around 16.00 hours on Thursday.

As we approached the house we could see that Rene was laying floor tiles (photos in the next edition) for the kitchen/living room of the self-contained apartment on the Ground Floor but didn’t wish to disturb him so we went straight up to the First Floor where we found that Christopher had been busy.

Powder Room floor finished.

Closet in hallway finished.

Having gone as far as he can (the area in the living room where the stairs to the Second Floor will be is yet to be laid with the ceramic tile) Christopher had moved to the en-suite bathroom for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room).

Christopher laying the first line.

With not much else going on we climbed the scaffold (we are both getting very expert at this now -who needs stairs!) to the Second Floor to review progress in the bathrooms.

Start made on the seat in my shower.

Accent tiles for my shower floor laid.

Outside our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize Angel and Alfredo had started applying masonry sealant to the northern First Floor veranda wall.

Angel on the left and Alfredo on the right. Norman and Appolito watching to make sure that they do a good job!

Under the shade of the trees near the bodega the welder (another name to learn) had started work on the railings.

And now to the second part of our magical mystery tour of the BATSUB base in Ladyville near Belize City.

In the previous edition I gave an insight in to how well equipped the base must have been ( I ‘say’ “must” because many of the facilities are no longer in use). Some could be with a little time and investment but…

British Forces Broadcasting Services building. No longer in use.

Well equipped kitchen. Only used when large numbers of troops are over for training.

Row of dining areas but only three are now used. And only when large numbers of troops are over for training.

Rugby field. Rarely used. And never for serious games.

Little Britain. A nice little housing estate that is currently not occupied. It is in. GREEN state though.

Old trucks. Going for auction very soon.

Obviously other parts of the base are fully operational.

The swimming pool. Used by BATSUB and the BDF.

The Laundrette. Although really only put to full use when troops are over for training.

“The Angry Pirate”. Used to be the busiest Mess of all until August 2011 when the permanent members of BATSUB was reduced materially so it is now closed.

Drainage system still operational.

Shower and toilet block. Fully operational but only used when troops are over for training. A wall divides the male and female sections.

Old ambulance but still in service.

Training center (gym). Real hi-tech equipment in there.

US Navy SEAL rigid. The SEALS are currently training a small group (the number had reduced from twenty to eight when we visited) from the BDF.

And the new MAN trucks. BATSUB has just taken delivery of twenty of these at around BZ$ 300,000 each.

If only Rose took instructions like that when I give them.

Oh, if you are in San Pedro today then beware. Sixty of the paratroopers that were on jungle training when we visited the BATSUB base will be enjoying their R & R. And they really do enjoy it.

The headline is based on the album released in 1967 by The Beatles which reached number one in the US Billboard Hot 200 chart.

Costa Maya Festival in San Pedro,Ambergris Caye, Belize 2013 – ” You’re Ready Now”.

Normal service (well if you consider what I normally include in my blog as normal) will be resumed with the next edition but I thought -given the questions I raised in an edition a few days ago I would take a mini break from writing about our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and publish a Special Edition to let you see some of the preparations for the 2013 Costa Maya Festival being held in San Pedro.

Given that Don Squier expressed an interest in knowing more about the Sunset Boardwalk project I took a walk around the old Saca Chispas Football Field earlier today to see the work that was taking place to make it ready for the Island Party Night and International Night that will be held there on the 2nd and 3rd August respectively.

A peak through the entrance gate and the children’s (and adults?) rides are nearly assembled.

The rides are within a few steps of each other to make it easy for the children (and the parents) to go from one ride to the next.

And a Ferris Wheel too.

The food and drink tents erected.

Seats in place and the stage nearly ready.

The bit you don’t want to see – the exit. It means the show is over and you are on your way home!

The headline is based on the single recorded in 1966 by Frankie Valli which reached number eleven in the UK Singles Chart in 1970.