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

With no technical or physical problems yesterday morning I managed to publish the previous edition long before the target time of 06.30 hours. Thanks in no small part to the fact that I was out on the veranda – armed with a mug of black coffee and my iPad (Rose managed to bring it back to life) by 03.45 hours.

After reading The Times on-line (even though I had watched Arsenal beat Swansea on TV it was good to read about it too!) and searching the Internet for the few remaining items that we want to purchase in Miami and ship to Belize under the Qualified Retirement Programme I showered, shaved, dressed and then had breakfast.

I then set about trying to find out when the stuff we have had shipped from the UK would be delivered to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Regular readers will be aware that our consignment ‘landed’ in Belize on 11th September (although we didn’t find this out until the 25th!). Ever since then I have been trying to find out when an inspection (which I want to be present at) by Customs will be carried out and approval given so that our stuff can be barged to Ambergris Caye.

Yesterday I sent an email to Jose Gomez of Belize Logistics Services Limited and not receiving a reply within a couple of hours ‘phoned him. And got Voicemail. I was persistent though and on my third attempt he answered. Once again he promised to make some enquiries and get back to me . He didn’t. So he is on my ‘hit’ list for today! In the end I figure he will get fed up with me and want me off his back. We shall see. And you will know.

Around 13.30 hours we got a call from Leo (the guy we had visited last week to find out how much he would charge to make a mahogany Queen size bed for us). He had the price, BZ$ 1,500. A bit more than we had expected. So, there will need to be some hard bargaining.

Needing a pick-me-up Rose and I decided to head off to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize shortly after 14.30 hours taking a detour on the way to see the ‘mirror man’. . No luck there either. He had gone to Corozal for the day.

We got to our house needing (and expecting) a boost but we didn’t get one. Only two guys -Moses and José- working on our house. It looks as if Victor (the welder) and Edgar (granite man) had ‘enjoyed’ their Sunday off too much.

We did see evidence of Mose’s work because he had been hanging some doors and cutting holes for door locks/handles .

Door for Pump Room hung.

Hole cut for the lock for the en-suite for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) on the First Floor.

Hole cut for the lock for the First Floor’s bedroom door.

Hole cut for the lock for the Powder Room door.

Feeling lightly more than p&@@ed off I ‘phoned Daniel Camal, our building contractor, and it got worse when he told me that Benny’s has failed to deliver the full compliment of down lights that we ordered (they have delivered some of the correct size and some that are larger) and that the toilets for Rose’s and my bathroom have yet to arrive.

We arranged to meet Daniel at 10.00 hours this morning to hopefully find solutions and to inject some pace and urgency for the final stage of our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

I’m normally a very upbeat and optimistic type but I must admit that after yesterday I’m down. But , as they say, “today is another day”. And I expect to report on a significant improvement in tomorrow’s edition.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single (the B side to Help) released by The Beatles in 1965 which reached number one in both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100.

“Beer on the Table” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

It was my intention to publish an edition yesterday but it proved to be a case of the best laid plans …

Saturday had started so well. Up and out on the veranda with my mug of coffee and the iPad by 04.30 hours. Knowing that the Spurs versus Chelsea game would be on TV at 05.45 hours I dispensed with my normal routine of reading The Times on-line first and instead concentrated on writing Saturday’s edition of the blog.

I hadn’t quite finished the edition by kick-off time so moved inside the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize to watch Spurs dominate the first half and lead Chelsea by one goal to nil.

Half time provided just enough time for me to complete and publish (sounds terribly grand doesn’t it but it is no more than clicking on an icon!) the edition and move back inside to watch Chelsea force their way back in to the game and secure a one all draw. A great result, both teams had dropped two points!

With just enough time before the next televised game – between Aston Villa and Manchester City – I showered, shaved and dressed and was back in front of the TV with only five minutes of the game having elapsed. At half time I managed to make my breakfast and ate this whilst watching the second half of the game which ‘City -through a combination of ‘schoolboy’ defending and a lack of commitment and desire – managed to lose. Result – they had dropped three points. And it got better because at the same time Manchester United lost at home- to West Bromwich Albion. Could the morning get any better?

Under normal circumstances I would have settled down to prepare myself for the next game . The game of the day. Arsenal away to Swansea City. But no, I couldn’t, I had to go to ‘Town to collect Frank, Ian and Dan (all members of BATSUB serving at Price Barracks) oh, and Ziggy, Frank’s dog, who were visiting Ambergris Caye for the weekend.

Fortunately the water taxi they came over on arrived early and after dropping them off at Caribbean Villas Hotel where they were going to have breakfast I raced (well you can’t exactly race in a golf cart) back home to catch the remainder of the first half.

It wasn’t one of Arsenal’s best performances but slowly and surely we took control of the game and secured a well deserved two to one win and move to the top of the Premier League. OK I know the season is only six games old but …

With the game over (and feeling very happy) I went back to ‘Town (this time with Rose) to do some shopping and after taking this back to the condo we were ready to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there shortly after 14.30 hours.

As I parked the ‘cart I saw a change on the Ground Floor. Moses had hung the front door for the self-contained apartment.

It needs to be varnished but…

Around the northern side of the house the septic tank had been painted.

‘Making good’ required around the pipe work but it’s getting there.

Back around to the front of the house where Edgar (the granite man) was working on the countertop of the breakfast bar for the First Floor’s kitchen.

Edgar, assisted by Angel, at his newly positioned work-station immediately in front of the entrance stairs.

A few feet away working above him was Victor the welder’s son who was busy assembling the railings for the second flight.

Making our way carefully past him we went to the kitchen where we found that Edgar had fitted the backsplash for the northern side of the kitchen.

Leaving just one small section to be fitted for the western side of the kitchen.

I then climbed up the scaffolding to the Second Floor where I found Alfredo had been busy applying the varnish coat for some of the doors and the vanity unit in my bathroom.

Door to my bathroom.

My vanity unit.

Rejoining Rose it was time for us to set off for home – we had a Poker Run to go to with a start time of 18.30 hours. And that’s when the reason for not publishing an edition yesterday began!

Meeting Frank, Ian and Dan at the Road Kill Bar we drew our first bar and ‘sank’ a few Belikins. We then moved on to Luna Loca where we drew our second card. And had a few more Belikins (getting the picture?).

Next it was off to Lola’s Pub for our third card. And some more Belikins. Swiftly followed by a visit to Wayo’s Beachside Beernet for our forth card. And, yes you’ve guessed it, more Belikin’s. My god, these British Army guys can drink. There was always a beer on the table!

Finally we went to Pedro’s Hotel for the culmination of the Poker Run. And more Belikins!!!!

We didn’t win (at least I don’t think we did) but I did get the ‘prize’ of one sore head when I woke up (much later than normal) on Sunday morning. And that’s the reason why there wasn’t an edition of the blog yesterday.

The headline (what else could I choose?) for today’s edition is based on the single released in 2009 by Josh Thompson which reached number seventeen in the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

“Pump It Up” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

It was all going so well yesterday morning and then…

Out on the veranda shortly after 04.15 hours with my mug of black coffee and the iPad. A lovely warm breeze. The only light coming from the monitor.

I read The Times on-line and got up-to-date with Facebook and Linkedin until shortly after 05.30 hours when I decided that I would start to pull together yesterday’s edition of the blog. With this start time I should have been able to achieve my new intended publication time of 06.30 hours

Once I had made a selection of the photos I would use the copy flowed fairly easily . This will come as no great surprise to regular readers of this blog I am sure – its much of the same stuff anyway.

Selecting a song title for the headline tested me the most but with this chosen and ‘worked’ in to the narrative I was on the home straight. Just had to proof read it and click the icon to publish. I was going to ‘hit’ the publishing deadline with around 10 minutes to spare. Or so I thought.

I didn’t though because with two paragraphs remaining to be proof read the iPad’s monitor went black. I had used up all of the battery power. I had the warnings. iPad users amongst you will be familiar with these I am sure . You know the thing, “8% battery remaining”. But in my infinite wisdom (!!!) I had chosen to disregard them.

Not unduly perturbed I plugged the iPad in to a power socket fully expecting it to recharge fairly quickly so that I could resume the proof reading and then publish. But nothing. Well, a feint flicker to indicate that it was charging but after thirty minutes and no sign of recovery I switched power sockets. Same again.

Sensing (not too difficult I assure you) my ever increasing levels of frustration Rose came to the rescue and lent me her old (yes she has two) iPad. OK so it has a pink case but I wasn’t going to take it anywhere. And anyway I have no doubts about my sexuality!

After loading the WordPress App I accessed my blog to find that none of the photos I had chosen and half of the copy had not loaded. A real bummer.

I needed to regroup so showered, shaved, dressed and had breakfast and then I knuckled down to ‘knocking out’ yesterday’s edition.

Feeling exhausted (mentally not physically) I then took the current book (Brick Lane by Monica Ali) I am reading (nearly finished it now) out on to the veranda and ‘chilled out’ until it was time for Rose and I to visit our build in Ambergris Caye,Belize.

We set off shortly after 14.30 hours and on the way there popped in to see Leo (the carpenter) at his workshop in Boca del Rio to show him a photograph of the bed we want him to make for us. If the price is right and the quality of workmanship is good we will then place orders for the other furniture we need. If the workmanship is not as good as we would like the bed will go in the larger bedroom in the self-contained apartment on the Ground Floor. Sorry Chris (my sister) that’s just the way it goes!

Pulling in to our lot shortly after 15.00 hours we saw Lloyd’s guys starting the landfill process for the lot we have that abuts the lot we are building on. Having cleared the scrub and bushes they were using the earth removed to create a channel for the rock wall to start ‘mopping up’ the waterlogged areas.

Lloyd, standing in our neighbour Jason’s waterlogged lot, surveying what needs to be done. A lot!

Approaching the house we could see that Victor (the welder) and his son had started fitting the railings for the Ground Floor.

Southern side of the house.

Second railing for the southern side ready to be bolted in place.

Railing on the northern side (near the Pump Room) fitted.

Heading up the stairs to the First Floor we couldn’t fail to see that work had begun on fitting the railings for the main entrance stairs.

View of the front (eastern side) of the house.

In to the hallway to find that Moses had started to fit the louvre doors for the closet (our Mud Room).

Around the corner in the kitchen Moses had fitted the doors and drawers for the kitchen island.

And Edgar (the granite man) had fitted the backsplash for the northern wall.

And Rolando had started work on the power sockets.

Bumping (not literally of course) in to Rolando he told us that he had fitted the pump for the well and that it is operational. We can now pump it up to flush the toilets!

Now need to get a metal door made and fitted so the pump doesn’t go ‘walkies’!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1978 by Elvis Costello and The Attractions which reached number twenty-four in the UK Singles Chart.

Oh, and it looks like a new iPad is going to be added to the list of stuff we are going to buy in and ship from Miami!

“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” in San Pedro, Ambergris Cate, Belize.

Up and out on the veranda with my mug of black coffee and the iPad (of course) yesterday morning before 04.30 hours and straight in to my In Box to see if there was any word from Excess International Movers (the company we used to ship the stuff we had in storage in the UK to Belize) as to the whereabouts of our consignment.

There was! The ship that our stuff was loaded on to in Miami had arrived in Belize City on 11 September. Only three days later than we had initially been informed that it would arrive by. But a time lag of fourteen days before we were told of its arrival. Crazy! And infuriating.

Shipping arrangements from Miami through to Belize City were via Eurocaribe Shipping Services Limited which is a company that I have now struck off the list of potential shipping agents for the stuff we are going to purchase and ship from Miami.

We now wait to be told when our stuff will be inspected by Customs and barged over to Ambergris Caye. We know that it is very close now though. But, as far as I am concerned, I still haven’t found what I’m looking for until I can get my hands on it!

I felt like waking Rose up to let her know the good news but common sense (and my strong preservation instinct) prevailed and I elected (wisely) to wait until she got up. So, instead, I turned my attention to writing yesterday’s edition. Because a number of you (OK, two of you) have said that you like to read it before going to work I am going to try to publish it a little earlier with a target time of 06.30 hours local time (MY local time).

After showering, shaving, getting dressed and having breakfast (not long to go before Estel’s re-opens) I went out to take care of some bits and pieces (filling the ‘cart with gas, getting a five gallon bottle of water and withdrawing some money from the bank) . On getting home I telephoned the ‘mirror man’ who told me that he had been to our house to look at my mirror and he would collect it the next day and take it back to his workshop to carry out the necessary work.

Rose and I then had lunch and headed off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize delaying our journey only slightly (because it was on the route we take) to pick up on the latest ‘that was then, this is now’ photos.

Derek, another long time reader of my blog, had sent me some photos that he had taken of Maria’s fruit, vegetable and juices stand when he holidayed on Ambergris Caye in September 2011. Maria’s, so Derek informed me, became a twice daily shopping experience.

‘That was then’.

And ‘this is now’.

The sign hasn’t changed.

And nor has the stand.

And neither has the service. You still get great fruit, vegetables and juices from Maria’s! And very often she ‘throws in’ an item or two for free.

Continuing with our journey Rose and I got to our lot just after 15.30 hours and as we parked the ‘cart could see that Lloyd and his guys hadn’t quite managed to finish the low, rock wall.

Red arrows indicate what remains to be done.

Noticing Mose’s bike ( this must mean more carpentry work had been delivered) we headed straight in to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment where we found our suspicions to be correct.

The kitchen island cum table had been delivered.

Pleased with this we went straight up the stairs to the First Floor and in the hallway saw that the louvred doors for the hall closet (our mini mud room) had been finished.

Just need to be hung now!

Around the corner and in to the kitchen where we saw that the island was in position.

Moses in the background taking a break from fitting the breakfast bar.

In the living/dining room area was more evidence of how busy Moses had been (he even worked on Independence Day!).

The inside (equipped with racks) of one of the doors for the pantry (larder).

Drawers for the kitchen cabinets.

In the kitchen the work top area around the sink was taking shape and the washing-up liquid dispenser had been fitted.

I am really starting to like the look of my new ‘office’!

And in my other work area , the laundry room, Rolando had fitted the taps (faucet) for the sink.

OK so it needs to be plumbed in. But it’s a start.

What I failed to mention earlier is that when we pulled in to the lot we saw that the railing for the north-east corner of the Second Floor was up there so I (by now very expertly) climbed the scaffolding to take a closer look.

Positioned ready for bolting in to place.

Looking down I could see Victor , the welder, ably assisted by his two sons, working on the remainder of the railings.

They were taking advantage of the shade on the northern side of the house and making good use of what’s left of the scaffolding as a platform for spraying.

Looking to the east I saw Lloyd at the roadside talking to someone who I later found out was from the San Pedro Town Council. He had come to make certain that we had not erected a fence without applying for and being granted approval. We haven’t and we won’t. I know the score. It’s on my list of things to do!

‘Town Council official in the golf cart.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1987 by U2 which reached number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number six in the UK Singles Chart.

“Get Busy” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Up just before 04.30 hours yesterday morning and out on the veranda within five minutes with a mug of black coffee and my iPad.

No time to trawl the ‘pages’ of The Times on-line though because I had a 09.00 hours appointment with Doctor Pedro Habet of The Medical Center in Belize City for a couple of fillings.

So I focused on writing the copy and selecting the photos for yesterday’s edition. I then proof read and published it. Stopping in between to refill the mug with coffee.

Rose, very generously I might add, got up earlier than is usual to run me to the Caye Caulker Water Taxi terminal to catch the 07.00 hours boat to Belize City. This would get me there for my appointment with time to spare. Or so I thought.

On asking for a return, with a seat on the outbound service departing at 07.00 hours, I was informed that the next boat was departing at 08.00 hours. The earlier one being cancelled during ‘slow season’. Time for plan B then!

A nice stroll along the beach to the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi terminal where I purchased a single ticket ( it costs more to do it this way but I wanted to leave my options for the return journey flexible) for the 07.30 hours service.

An uneventful journey (although the boat did become packed after taking on additional passengers at Caye Caulker) saw me arrive at The Dental Center at 09.15 hours and within a few minutes I was in the chair for the two fillings.

Leaving the surgery (after making an appointment for the 4 October for the fitting of the final implant) it was time for me to get busy so I caught a taxi and went straight to the Brodies‘ store on the Northern Highway to get some grocery items that aren’t either as readily available or as cheap (this is a relative term) on Ambergris Caye. With my backpack stuffed with the goodies I jumped in the taxi (it had waited for me) and went across the road to Benny’s.

Once in the store ,with speed shopping that women would have nightmares thinking about (opening myself up for mass criticism from the female readers here), I very quickly chose a fluorescent light fixture for the Store Room and a tap (faucet for non UK readers) and strainers for the kitchen sink for the self-contained apartment for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

After loading my purchases in the taxi we (Sam, the taxi driver, and me) headed straight to the San Pedro Belize Water Taxi terminal based in the Tourism Village where I was able to get a seat on the 12.00 hours service.

It wasn’t the most pleasurable boat trip I’ve ever had – light fixture held in an upright position by my right hand, taps (faucet) in my left hand and backpack gripped between my feet – and I was relieved when we docked in San Pedro at 01.15 hours that nothing had been broken. Me included!

Rose was waiting for me and we very quickly loaded the ‘cart and were in the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize shortly after 01.30 hours. Once there we very unpacked (and found a ‘home’ for) the grocery items I had purchased and I sat down for a coffee and the lunch that Rose had prepared for me.

At around 15.15 hours, feeling refreshed and full, Rose and I loaded the ‘cart with the light fixture, taps (faucet) and strainers and headed off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there (I drove much slower than usual!) around 15.40 hours.

On pulling in to our lot we saw that Victor (newest/replacement welder) had started to undercoat the railings that he had been making.

For the north-east corner of the Second Floor.

And had started to spray the second set of railings which are for the landing of the entrance stairs.

Looking around the southern side of the house we could see just how much the rock wall had ‘grown’.

Past the front of the house.

Rocks ready for the final stretch. One more day and it should be finished.

A quick word with Angel informed us that there was nothing going on in the Ground Floor self-contained apartment so we went straight to the First Floor where we found Rolando and Edgar working on fitting the kitchen sink and the surrounding countertop.

Sink and tap (faucet) in.

Nice deep basins. Think of all the dishes I can get in them!

Rolando connecting the pipes.

Edgar filling the joint between the two slabs of granite.

Edgar mentioned that he had also been working on my bathroom so I made a hasty farewell and clambered up the scaffolding to the Second Floor and went straight to my bathroom.

Sink and taps (faucets) in. Just now need the mirror and a few tiles!

Rejoining Rose we got ready to leave and on the way out saw that Victor had started applying the finishing spray coat for the railings.

Finished (I committed the cardinal sin of taking the photo with the sun behind me) !

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 2003 by Sean Paul which reached number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four in the UK Singles Chart.

“Do You Remember” it in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize?

I got up around 04.30 hours on Sunday with the belief that Arsenal’s home game against Stoke City had a (local time) kick-off at 05.15 hours.

With so much time to spare I made my mug of black coffee and retired to the veranda with it and my iPad to read the Sunday Times on-line. Straight in to the sports’ section where I found that I had made a monumental error. The kick-off was 06.30 hours! No worries though (or so I thought), more time to enjoy the Sunday Times.

At 06.25 hours I moved inside, switched on the TV, chose channel 103 and sat down to enjoy the game. But no. Catastrophe! NBC in its wisdom (sic) had chosen to televise the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix! How could they? Don’t they know that I couldn’t give a fig (I have other words to use but …) about Formula 1!

I very quickly (and smoothly) moved to Plan B – TheTelegraph website. Nowhere near as good as watching the game on TV but I was able to keep ‘in touch’ with developments as the game unfolded. A game which Arsenal won by three goals to one.

The remainder of Sunday passed without too much incident. Oh apart from Manchester United taking a good hiding in the derby game against Manchester City and Spurs getting a last gasp win against Cardiff City.

Yesterday morning one of the first things I did – yes, even before reading The Times on-line – after taking a few sips of coffee was to ‘fire off’ an email to Excess Movers International to express my extreme disappointment, frustration and incredulity that we still do not know where the consignment we have had shipped from the UK is. Last known whereabouts, Miami on 1st September!

Within a few hours of sending the email I received a telephone call from a representative of the company in which , aside from proffering extreme apologies, he promised to personally follow up on our ‘missing’ consignment. As I write this edition I still await news!

After breakfast Rose and I went to visit the ‘mirror man‘ and made arrangements for him to visit our house on Wednesday to take a look at my mirror to decide if he can cut the three holes that it needs to have to accommodate the taps (faucet for non UK readers) for my bathroom.

After returning to our condo I grabbed my book (I am still reading Brick Lane by Monica Ali) and headed for the dock in front of the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize to enjoy the book and the (very) hot and sunny weather conditions.

Following a snack for lunch Rose and I headed off to visit our house but on the way took a slight detour to pick up on the first (of many I hope) of the ‘that was then, this is now’ photographic comparisons.

Julian, responding to the request/suggestion that I made, sent me a photo that he took of Wet Willy’s (perhaps around two years ago) prior to the remodelling work.

“That was then”.

“This is now”. Spot the differences ?

The view that you are probably more used to! Do you remember ?

Don’t forget. Join in the fun. Send me your ‘that was then’ photo (s).

Following the slight detour we got to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize around 15.30 hours and on arrival went straight in to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment where Rolando had fitted the first of the toilets.

The en-suite for the larger (lagoon side) of the two bedrooms.

With nothing much new to see in the apartment Rose and I headed up to the First Floor passing Angel on the way who was continuing with the general tidy-up. On this occasion painting over dirty marks on the exterior wall.

Once in the house we saw that Rolando had cut the holes for the toilets in the Powder Room

and in the en-suite for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room).

Just inside the main entrance José was fitting the remaining skirting (base) tiles around the architrave.

José at work.

Cut to size. Now for the adhesive. And then the grouting.

Seeing that there wasn’t much else going on I climbed the scaffolding to the Second Floor and once in to our bedroom I found that the guys had brought the mirrors for our bathrooms up ready for fixing (mine obviously after the holes for the taps(faucets) have been cut) above the vanity units.

Mirror for Rose’s bathroom.

My mirror.

Seeing that nothing else had been done I went back down to the First Floor and went out on the western (lagoon side) veranda to take a look at how work on our small, rock wall was progressing.

View from above.

And at ground level. Nearly half completed.

Looking down as we were leaving the First Floor we saw José cutting the base (skirting) tiles for around the architrave for the front door.

The multi talented José at the cutter.

By the time we reached ground level Angel had started to apply the ‘tidy up’ coat of paint to the side wall for the ramp to the Ground Floor.

On the way to the ‘cart we stopped off to have a chat with Victor (the welder) who with his sixteen year old son was making great progress with our railings.

Victor at work.

Railings for the Ground Floor ‘open’ area.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1990 by Phil Collins which although only reaching number fifty-seven in the UK Singles Chart reached number four in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“Independence Day” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

No lengthy narrative from me for this edition. I got up. Spent some time on the veranda. Watched a couple of Premiership games (none of them particularly scintillating). Had breakfast. And then Rose and I went to the town center to watch the Independence Day parade. And what follows is a load of photos to let you see what we saw.

On the way to the start point at Boca del Rio.

And another one.

A wave, just for me!

So colourful. And so gracious.

I like this one better though.

Rose and I then went to Angel Coral Street (Back Street) to watch the parade and catch the participants when they were at their freshest (it was also not as hot and crowded for us as it was in Barrier Reef Drive (Front Street). Some things you learn with age!

Fire engine (truck) leading the parade.

Miss San Pedro on the first float. And then the procession.

Don’t drop that Belikin!

They don’t need a group.

But they do!

Don’t ask me what they are doing!

Or these two either.

As I hope you can see from the photos, everyone in the parade really gave their all in extremely hot conditions but they always showed that they were enjoying it. And we did too.

The headline for today’s edition is fairly obvious. It honours the 32nd birthday of Belize’s independence. It was also s single released by Martina McBride in 1994 which reached number twelve in the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

“Mirror Man” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Sitting out on the veranda yesterday morning (regular readers know the score – coffee, iPad,The Times on line, etc) I got to thinking about a suggestion that Don (a long-time reader of the blog) put to me a little while ago.

Don suggested that readers should send a photo of where they live so that we all get to know a little bit about each other. And we get to ‘travel’ the world very quickly and at minimum cost.

My thought process (please don’t ask me to explain this) took me to applying a twist to Don’s original idea and make it Ambergris Caye orientated.

So what’s the twist I ‘hear’ you thinking ?

Well, I am pretty certain that many of you that take the time to read this blog have visited (some even live here) Ambergris Caye. And some of you many, many times (apologies to those of you that haven’t enjoyed the pleasure and experience yet).

When you did I bet you took loads of photographs . Yes? And some of them will have been taken a good few years ago. Ever wondered if what captured your attention then has changed? Well here’s your opportunity to find out.

You send me a photograph of the area, bar, restaurant, dock, etc (with details of the date and the location) and I will take a photograph of how it looks now. A sort of “that was then and this is now”. Got it?

At this stage I want to limit the comparisons (and the distances I have to travel) to between Victoria House in the south and Grand Caribe in the north. Obviously anything in between is fair game.

I was going to ‘start the ball rolling’ with a photograph of the house that used to ‘sit’ on the beach where Grand Colony now is but haven’t got the hard drive out yet. I will though. In the meantime let me have your ‘ that was then’ submission.

When Rose and I went to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize on Thursday and I had a look at the progress on my bathroom it became immediately obvious that when I had ordered the mirror for the wall above the vanity unit I had not considered the effect that having the taps (faucets for non UK readers) coming out the wall would have on the positioning of the mirror.

Without some remedial action on the mirror it would have to be positioned above the taps (faucets). Not at all what I was looking for.

The ‘look’ I want.

There was only one thing for it. I have to get three holes cut in the mirror. So yesterday I went to see the mirror man who operates from a workshop on the corner of Seagrape Drive (not far from Pedro’s Hotel for those of you familiar with Ambergris Caye).

Regrettably the workshop was closed. No sign of activity at all. It looked like he had decided to start his Independence Day celebrations early so a return visit by me on Monday is now on my ‘things to do’ list.

Returning home from my abortive mission Rose and I took care of some household chores, had lunch and then went to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

On arrival – shortly after 15.30 hours – we went to the back (lagoon side) garden first to see how Lloyd and his employees were ‘doing’ with the small wall they are constructing for us on the southern side of our lot.

Coming along nicely.

Walking back to the front of the house we saw that the ‘clean up’ was continuing with hardcore being used to fill the area on the northern side of our lot.

Pile of hardcore ready for use. And then a sand covering.

Knowing that the focus was on the First and Second Floors Rose and I went straight to the First Floor where we found that the sink and taps (faucets) for the Powder Room had been installed.

Looks fantastic (awesome for non UK readers) doesn’t it. Sorry to crow but I just wanted the opportunity to use the (in my opinion) overly used (and often, inappropriately) word “awesome.

Across the hallway and in to the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) where we saw that the vessel sink had been fixed in to position and connected to the pipework.

In to the kitchen/dining/living room section of the First Floor where Alfredo was on clean-up duties.

Having finished hoovering it was time to start cleaning the windows.

Looking up above Alfredo we saw to our horror (dramatic effect here) that the (our) house had its first occupant. We had been beaten to it!

Our first house gecko. Now to be affectionately known as Gordon!

Behind us in the kitchen the final section of granite countertop had been positioned by Edgar (the granite man) ready for the adhesive.

Look hard and you can see the template used by Edgar (the granite man) to make certain that the granite was cut to the correct size.

With the tour of the First Floor complete I adroitly accessed the Second Floor via the scaffolding and went to my bathroom to find that the backsplash for my vanity unit had been fitted.

Now I just need to sort that mirror out!

On the way home we saw René ( the rubbish removal man for north of the bridge) and his wife Elsa pulling his trailer (by hand, as he does every day) so we let them jump on the back of our cart for a lift (pulling the trailer behind them) to the southern side of the bridge. This is where René unloads the rubbish for collection.

A very happy looking René and Elsa (rubbish trailer behind them).

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1982 by The Human League which reached number two in the UK Singles Chart and number thirty in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“Sound and Vision” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

On waking up yesterday morning I felt as if I had taken a mild beating around the left side of my face, and especially my nose. I know that I am a relatively heavy sleeper but surely Rose couldn’t have ‘got her own back’ for something I had said and it didn’t wake me.

A visit to the bathroom and a look in the mirror (no photos I am pleased to report) and I saw that the left side of my nose was slightly swollen and the area around my left eye had some dark discolouration. And then it hit me (no, not Rose) I was suffering from sinusitis.

Now knowing that it wasn’t a consequence of upsetting Rose I made my mug of coffee, grabbed hold of the iPad and went to my place of choice in the early morning, the veranda.

Once out there I didn’t really do a great deal. Yes I read the news online (enjoying the write-up on Arsenal’s game the previous day), publishing yesterday’s edition and sending a couple of emails to try to find out if the company handling the shipping of our stuff from the UK have managed to establish exactly where our consignment is.

With these few matters taken care of I then just sat there and savoured the ambience. The lightening of the sky, the cool breeze, the rustling of the coconut fronds, the soft lapping of the waves. Bordering on poetic this, isn’t it. Anyway, lets just say I enjoyed it. The classic combination of sound and vision.

Not having any real chores to take care of after breakfast I took the current book I am reading ( Brick Lane by Monica Ali) to the dock in front of the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. It was good to reacquaint myself with the book (I haven’t read it for a little while) and the sun (haven’t seen a lot of it either during the last week or so) and just generally ‘chill out’. And I did. So much so that I completely forgot about the sinusitis.

In the afternoon (after a light lunch) Rose and I went to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there shortly after 15.30 hours.

Before going to the house we stopped by the bodega to make sure that Edgar (the granite man) is aware that neither Rose or I want a granite splash back on the sides of the vanity unit. He confirmed that he was aware of that. And then gave us the news that he had started fitting the countertops in our bathrooms. We wanted to rush up to the Second Floor immediately but exercised great control not to do so ( and you are too now because I am not including the photos until near the end of this edition – no scrolling!) and would look around, floor by floor, and work our way up.

On the way in to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment we saw that the newest (additional) welder on our job had finished the railings for the landing between the two flights of stairs leading to the front door on the First Floor.

And now for the railings for the first flight of stairs. Please.

Looking up we saw that the bulbs had been fitted for the motion sensor lights for the ‘open’area in front of the apartment.

Looking across at the Pump Room it was obvious that the remaining pipework had been fitted for the water heater.

In to the apartment where we saw that Moses had fitted the wood that he had been working on the previous day to the back of the cabinets in the kitchen area.

And looking up I saw that Rolando had started fitting the down lights.

Above where the sink will be.

Near the front door.

Up to the First Floor where we saw that Rolando had been at work there too.

Down lights for the hall in.

Switch covers for the lights and fans fitted.

And in the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) the mirror had been glued to the wall and the tap (faucet for non UK readers) had been installed and the sink was ready to be fixed in to position.

Carefully positioned so you don’t get the reflection of me!

With the ‘tour’ of the First Floor completed it was now time for the big moment. My bathroom. So up the scaffolding I scrambled and then I saw it. The granite had been fitted for my vanity unit.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single by David Bowie released in 1977 which reached number three in the UK Singles Chart.

“Movin’ On” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

A nice dry morning when I got out onto the veranda yesterday shortly after 04.30 hours. I enjoy the sound of the rain but sometimes its been known to dilute my coffee too much. I don’t like really strong coffee but I do want to know its in there. I know there’s a simple solution . Like, move the mug. But sometimes I forget its there. A by product of getting old? I prefer to think that it is because I am deep in contemplation!

After taking my dose of The Times on line I decided to take the camera for a little stroll along the beach. It was a nice morning with a cooling breeze and the sun wasn’t out. I also thought that it would give me be opportunity to satisfy requests made by a number of you that I vary the photos a little.

I hadn’t been out there long (and by now it was shortly after 07.00 hours) when I saw some holidaymakers patiently (and I am sure, expectantly) waiting on Caribbean Villas Hotel‘s dock for a boat to collect them for either a diving, snorkelling or fishing trip.

Not a bad ‘waiting room’!

My attention was then attracted by a local guy out in his canoe looking for bait.

He didn’t find any shoals and paddled north in search of the bait he so badly wanted and I went in for breakfast. He was trusting nature and his skill to put food on the plate and I was trusting Rose!

After breakfast Rose and I took care of some errands in town – visit to the bank and picking up some groceries – and then settled down in front of the TV to watch Arsenal’s first match in this year’s Champions League. An away game to Marseille (or Olympique de Marseille to give them their correct name).

We didn’t play scintillating football and rode our luck a few times but goals by Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey (again) saw us secure our three points. A job well done.

With the game over and feeling happy – if not with the performance then at least with the win – Rose and I set off to visit our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

We got there shortly before 15.00 hours and the first thing we saw was the welder near the bodega working on the last vertical strut for the second of the railings for the eastern side of the Second Floor.

Walking towards the house we met Moses who was busy at work spraying (white) some boards for the cabinetry for the kitchen of the Ground Floor apartment.

Instead of going straight in to the apartment we decided to take a walk to the back garden to see how the small rock wall that will ‘sit’ in front of the fence we shall eventually have erected was proceeding.

Movin’ on nicely.

The wall will ‘run’ to the end of our lot at the road.

Whilst out in the back garden we noticed that Rolando had fitted the external units for some of the air conditioning.

Unit for the kitchen/living room of the Ground Floor apartment.

And for the larger of the two bedrooms.

Entering the apartment via the lagoon side bedroom we had a quick walk around to see what had been done and found that Rolando (been a busy boy hasn’t he) had fitted the door for the power control box that is situated in the bathroom for the smaller of the two bedrooms.

Hope I don’t have to open that door too often!

On the way up to the First Floor we saw that the newest welder had finished the railing for in front of the entrance on the First Floor.

And Angel had finished the grouting for the main entrance stairs.

Grouting finished. Now for the final coat of paint.

In to the First Floor where we found Edgar (the granite man) and Rolando in the Powder Room preparing to install the sink.

Holes cut in the granite for the pipes.

In the en-suite for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) Rolando had fitted the shaver socket.

Don’t see this being used much unless we actually make use of it as a bedroom for guests. Oh, and you can just see Rose’s impersonation of a horizontal bunny. It amuses her so …

With the ‘tour’ of the First Floor complete I climbed the scaffold to the Second Floor where I found that Moses had fitted the architrave (finishing) for the door to our bedroom.

View from inside the bedroom.

Out on the veranda/roof terrace I saw that the guys were getting ready to fit the granite countertops for our bathrooms.

Countertop for my bathroom.

And for Rose’s bathroom.

With the tour of our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize finished we decided to set off for home (well the condo we have been renting during the build) but before pulling out looked up to see that Alfredo had started fitting the screens for the windows of the southern side of the First Floor.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1975 by Merle Haggard which reached number one in the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

“Rainy Dayz” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Yesterday up early (around 04.45 hours) as usual and straight to the veranda with the obligatory mug of black coffee and my iPad. The weather was much the same as it has been for what now seems like weeks (I might be guilty of some exaggeration here). Nothing but rainy dayz (I know days isn’t spelt this way but…).

First job for me after ‘knocking out’ yesterday’s edition and catching up on the news was to send emails to the Excess International Movers (the company we are using to ship our stuff from the UK) and Belize Logistics Services Limited (the company that they are using to manage delivery once it ‘hits’ Belize).

I received fairly quick responses from both companies but neither informed me of what I really want. The date of arrival in Belize City! They have now requested ‘tracking’ reports for our consolidated (in Miami) load and have promised to revert to me when they have this. Hopefully then all will be revealed.

The rest of the morning/early afternoon then just seemed to fly by. Breakfast, followed by the completion and submission of a ‘Source of Funds’ form to Atlantic International Bank Limited for approval to wire money from the UK and then a light snack for lunch and it was time to head off to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

With the puddle and pothole riddled road north of the bridge it took us slightly longer (don’t want to damage the suspension or flood the carburettor) than usual and we got there around 15.15 hours.

Pulling in to the lot there was a very obvious change. The railing for the south-east corner of the Second Floor was missing. Looking up at the house we saw why. It had been fitted ( as for the previous railings it has been hoisted by ropes on the outside of the house. No pulleys, just brute strength and will power).

First of the two railings in place.

On the First Floor we saw José already ‘making good’ the slight damage to the exterior walls that the railing, on its path upwards, had caused.

José rubbing down. Or is it rubbing up?

At ground level the site clean-up was continuing with Alfredo forming piles of rubbish for eventual removal.

Rubbish ready for collection.

In the distance we saw bright flashing lights in the north-eastern corner of the Ground Floor

the additional welding team that Daniel Camal, our building contractor, had told us he was drafting in, had arrived. And were at work.

Once up the ramp we saw just how much progress they had made on the railing for in front of the main entrance on the First Floor.

Nearly ready for the undercoat and finishing coat of paint.

In to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment and there were signs of Rolando having been there. The ceilings fans (these ones with lights) were being fitted.

The living/kitchen room.

And for the larger of the two bedrooms.

Looking out to the back garden I noticed that the screen for the sliding window (door) had been fitted.

Screen in.

Just the ceiling fan for the smaller bedroom to ‘go’ now.

We then proceeded to the First Floor where Rolando had fitted the ceiling fan (without light) for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room).

Ceiling fan in-situ. And the screen for the sliding window( door) fitted too!

In to the kitchen/dining/living room area where there was evidence of an internal tidy up too.

Dining area nice and tidy.

And the screens – -all three of them – had been fitted for the sliding windows (doors).

Interior view.

Exterior view.

Up the scaffold to the Second Floor where I ‘found’ Moses hanging the door for our bedroom.

View of the door from the landing.

Out onto the veranda/roof terrace for a ‘close-up’ of the railing that had been fitted in the morning.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 2002 by Mary J Blige which reached number twelve in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number seventeen in the UK Singles Chart.

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

The rainy season has shown itself with a vengeance during the last few weeks. I am sure that it has not been the case but it seems like it has rained every day and yesterday was no different.

Out on the veranda yesterday morning shortly before 05.00 hours the rain was lashing down and so strongly at one stage that I had to retreat to the condo to avoid getting soaked.

Weather such as this is obviously not good (or welcomed) by the tourists that are visiting Ambergris Caye but it does have its benefits. Well, for me at least.

I just love the sound of the rain hitting the fronds of the coconut trees. I find it restful. Therapeutic. Very calming. Not that I feel at all agitated but the sound, for me, creates a sense of serenity.

Aside from the state of mind it induces in me it has a more practical benefit. It’s helping to fill the 45,000 gallon rainwater collection tank we have under our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

The rain was still coming down when Rose and I, suitably attired in our rainwear, set off to visit our lot shortly after 14.00 hours. We set off earlier than usual because we had a meeting scheduled with Daniel Camal, our building contractor, for 15.00 hours and we wanted to have a good walk around and ‘look’ before this.

Pulling in to the lot we saw that the welder was at work – shielded from the rain by a tarpaulin tethered to the trees and the bodega – was working on the second of the railings for the Second Floor’s eastern side.

Vertical posts now starting to be welded in place.

Ahead of us we could see that Christopher and Angel had finished laying the final coat of cement (dyed Buff) for the ramp and were working on the steps for the Ground Floor.

Ramp protected from the rain by plastic sheeting.

To the left (south) of us we could see that the guys that we are employing to construct a ‘wall’ of rocks one foot high by one foot wide along the southern side of our lot had started work.

Clearing the land in preparation for the ‘wall’

Channel dug for the ‘wall’

The ‘wall’ will be positioned inside the fence that we intend to have erected around our lot. With a ‘wall’ constructed along only the southern side (this is the lower lying section of our lot) we hope to eradicate or at least minimise the amount of erosion of land fill. Time will tell, of course.

As we got closer to the house we could see that Moses had finished hanging the doors for the Store Room/Garage.

And was working on the architrave for around the doors.

Moses at work during a ‘rain free’ period.

Up the stairs to the First Floor where we saw that Rolando had finished fitting the ceiling fans for the kitchen/dining/living room area.

View from the Utility Room.

View from the ‘living’ area.

We were still on the First Floor when Daniel arrived for our meeting, the primary purpose of which was to ‘bottom out’ when our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize would be finished. Four more weeks, Daniel told us. So, on 12th October we could be moving in to our new home!

Feeling buoyed my elation was somewhat deflated in the evening when the Pittsburgh Steelers failed to beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Why should this deflate me I can ‘hear’ you thinking. Well, I had entered the weekly ‘pool’ that Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar & Grill is running and needed the ‘Steelers to beat the ‘Bengals by a combined points tally of forty-seven points or more to win the pot.

I am Özil (in honour of Arsenal’s latest signing). So close but … ( sounds a bit like Arsenal !).

I was beaten to the pot by Tom Horton of the Black Orchid Restaurant. No disgrace though. I am English after all so what do I know about the NFL? Nothing actually. I pick my choices based on the ‘nicknames’. Haven’t got a clue about form!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1999 by Supergrass which reached number nine in the UK Singles Chart.

“The Boxer” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

It’s just after 06.30 hours on Monday morning and I am eventually getting around to writing Sunday’s edition. No guilt trip though. I just didn’t feel inclined or felt any great need to do it yesterday. I wanted to watch the Southampton v West Ham game and then …Well, and then the day sort of passed all too quickly.

Saturday morning saw me out on the veranda just before 05.00 hours. I wanted to catch up with the world news before the Manchester United v Crystal Palace Premiership game at 05.45 hours (local time of course). But going to ten players was just too much for ‘Palace at the ‘theatre of screams’ (screams from United’s players whenever an opposition player gets even close to them, let alone tackle them or even foul them).

I managed to squeeze in breakfast before the big game of the day, Sunderland v Arsenal at 08.00 hours. We ( and for infrequent readers ‘we’ means Arsenal) started off brightly with a goal by Giroud made by our recent signing Mesut Özil. We squandered numerous chances (mainly Theo Walcott) and put ourselves under pressure by allowing Sunderland back in to the game before re asserting ourselves with two goals by the in-form Arron Ramsey. We were top of the league! Not for long but …

In the afternoon , at around 15.00 hours, Rose and I went to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize where we found Christopher, Angel and Alfredo finishing the final coat of cement (mixed with the Buff dye for the coloured finish we want) for the floor area outside the Ground Floor self-contained apartment.

Area in front of the Store Room/Garage and entrance to the apartment finished.

Finishing off the steps. Alfredo posing for the photo. “Get working Alfredo”.

Treading carefully we went in to the apartment to find that in readiness for the next steps some more of the stuff to be fitted had been delivered.

Kitchen sink stored handily for installation.

Toilet for one of the bathrooms.

We then went to the First Floor where we found Rolanda assembling a ceiling fan.

Looking up we saw that he had already installed the one for the dining room area.

Above us was José sanding the wall near the Second Floor landing prior to the finishing coat of paint.

Look hard and you can just see José’s hand.

Up the scaffold to the Second Floor where I found that José had fitted the screens for the three windows that will allow light in above the staircase.

Close up of the screen.

Knowing that we were going out in the evening to watch the Mayweather v Alvarez fight at Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar & Grill we didn’t hang around too long at our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize but before leaving I found time to take a photo of the view that we have from the Ground Floor apartment looking east.

We got to the bar – after eating dinner, showering and changing – around 19.30 hours to find it already really busy. And this for a fight that wasn’t scheduled to start until 22.00 hours!

We watched the undercard , including an exceptionally good contest between Garcia and Matthysse, whilst all the while the bar got busier and busier but with our early arrival we had secured ‘ringside’ seats!

Exceptionally busy bar.

Carlo and Ernie had really ‘gone’ for it with all of the staff wearing ‘team’ Canelo ‘T’ shirts.

‘Team’ Canelo.

And then the fight started but Alvarez was never in it. He’s quite a good young fighter but this was the night for the boxer, Floyd Mayweather.

We were disappointed because we had been rooting for Alvarez but the disappointment didn’t last too long because Rose was sitting on one of the six lucky bar stools and won a case of Belikin.

Rose collecting her gift certificate. Lucky barstool beside her. Yes, she had to carry it to the prize giving area to collect her prize!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1969 by Simon & Garfunkel which reached number seven in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number six in the UK Singles Chart.

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

Regular readers may be wondering why I have not mentioned going to breakfast at Estel’s since last Saturday’s edition.

Have I had to tighten the purse strings? Have I -at long last – realised that a fried breakfast is perhaps not the healthiest way to start my day ( well it doesn’t start my day but you know what I mean) ? Are they using a new cook? Have I found another breakfast hangout?

No. None of these reasons. It’s far, far more simpler than that. Estel’s has had the temerity to close for a holiday. And, I don’t know for how long!

I’ve been going through severe withdrawal symptoms but am gradually pulling through. I am pretty certain though that the ‘habit’ will return when they re-open for business! Lack of willpower? Probably. OK, definitely. Hurry back Estel’s. I miss you.

Not going for breakfast did have a benefit though. I spent some time trying to find out exactly where the stuff we have shipped from the UK is. We used a company called Excess International Movers and the information they provided for the Atlantic Sea crossing was extremely accurate but then things became less clear.

Following a telephone conversation yesterday with Jose Gomez of Belize Logistic Limited, we understand that our stuff could arrive in Belize City next Monday. Or, Tuesday. Stay tuned to find out!

In the afternoon -15.15 hours to be exact – we collected Rose and Bob to take them to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize for a look around.

On the way in to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment we saw that the guys had started to lay the final coat of cement (dyed Buff) for the exterior floor. With the final coat it looks so smooth.

Looking smooth!

After giving Rose and Bob a tour of the apartment we headed up the stairs to the First Floor avoiding Christopher on the way who was working his way down the steps with the grouting.

Not many to go now.

Up in the living/dining room we found loads of boxes. Our ceiling fans – for the apartment and the main house – had arrived.

Hopefully next week the boxes won’t be there.

Since her accident Rose (my Rose that is) hasn’t been up the scaffolding to the Second Floor but yesterday she regained her confidence and up she went.

I’m not used to Rose looking down on me.

On the way out of our lot we walked to the north-east corner to show Rose and Bob our well and to our surprise found that the guys had finished painting it.

On the way home we had a couple of Belikins with Rose and Bob as a farewell drink prior to their departure the next day. We look forward to enjoying their company again when they return next February.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1999 by Santana and Rob Thomas which reached number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three in the UK Singles Chart.

“Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Rain again yesterday and this morning (yes, I am covering two days in this one edition -sort of ambidextrous !) but it doesn’t stop me from my ‘me time’ on the veranda we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

I’ll pick up on yesterday later but first want to cover this morning. Later I will return to yesterday (confused? Me too). Anyway, back to the veranda and this morning.

I’d been out there for just over an hour (I got out there at 05.05 hours) when on looking at the beach I saw two guys doing stretching exercises. Nothing unusual in that, loads of people use the beach for their exercise regimes.

But things changed. They started shadow boxing.

And then they were sparring.

I know that San Pedro, Ambergris Caye is caught in a frenzy for the Mayweather versus Canelo fight

but I didn’t expect it today. I thought Saturday night’s alright for fighting. Not Friday morning !

I mentioned in the last few editions that we have had quite a lot of rain recently. I may not have mentioned though what this does to many of the roads. They become flooded and potholes suddenly appear. We think they are really bad and then you see something that puts some perspective on it. Such was the case when I was looking at the the Belize Expats’ page on Facebook yesterday (see how seamlessly I move from one day to another – who needs a flux capacitor! ) and came across a photo posted showing the condition of the road north of Corozal heading to Consejo.

And we think our roads are bad!

Anyway, enough of today, what about yesterday?

Well, at around 15.30 hours Rose and I arrived at our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and on pulling in to our lot saw Angel hard at work with the roller applying the final coat of emulsion for the entrance area for the Ground Floor self-contained apartment.

Looking at the exterior walls of the apartment it was obvious that he had finished them too.

As we got up the ramp we saw that Rolando had installed the water heater in the Pump Room.

Snug, isn’t it.

Christopher, not far away, was continuing to grout the tiles on the main staircase.

First flight half way there.

Second flight finished.

In the apartment itself Moses had fitted the vanity unit for the smaller of the two bedrooms.

The headline for today’s (or is it tomorrow’s -now I am confused) is based on the single released in 1973 by Elton John which reached number seven in the UK Singles Chart and number twelve in the US Billboard Hot 100.

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

The rain experienced during the last few days continued yesterday (well it is the rainy season) and when I got out on the veranda shortly after 05.00 hours (05.18 hours to be precise) it was obvious that it had been raining throughout the night. Not that I would have known though because when I ‘hit’ the pillow my sound system switches off.

Fortunately though the veranda of the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize is offered some protection from the elements by the fronds of the coconut trees, some of which occasionally ‘touch’ the railings of the veranda when swaying in the breeze.

Afforded this protection I was able to enjoy my ‘quality time’ (my solitude time) – that’s me, my mug of coffee and the iPad which gives me access to the rest of the world. Well, when the Internet is working that is! And it was.

I spent a little time catching up on the campaign being mounted by Placencia Cruise ( a campaign group comprising, amongst others, tourism and environmental groups from around Belize) to dissuade the Government of Belize (it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding) to permit Norwegian Cruise Line to develop (an extremely poor choice of word to describe the unavoidable destruction of culture, heritage and wildlife ((it is an acknowledged breeding ground for manatees) that will follow)) Harvest Caye as a port for cruise ships.

Such a development seems so strongly at odds with the key principle of the Overall Objective of the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan “… as environmentally sensitive business operations, support for the protection of cultural and natural heritage, and tangible economic and social benefits to local people” that it beggars belief.

I wish the Placencia Cruise group overwhelming success with its efforts.

With my news reading finished I then sent an email Belize Logistic Services Limited (the company in Belize that the UK company that we used to ship our stuff to Belize has appointed to manage our delivery when it arrives in Belize) to find out when we can expect our stuff. It’s getting quite frustrating trying to find out exactly where it is and when we can expect to get our hands on it. I expected delay -Customs clearance, barging to Ambergris Caye – but I didn’t envisage thinking that our stuff may have found the Bermuda Triangle and is now lost. I am sure it will turn up eventually though.

In the afternoon at around 15.15 hours Rose and I went to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and on pulling in to our lot were pleased to see that the welding for the second of the railings for the eastern side of the Second Floor had started.

As we approached the house we saw Christopher on the entrance stairs grouting the tiles.

We would take a closer look later but first we went to see what was going on in the self-contained apartment on the Ground Floor and were surprised and pleased to find that Nicholas was back on our build. This time assisting Rolando with the installation of the air conditioning units.

For those of you that have forgotten Nicholas (or he hasn’t featured in the blog since you started following it) here is a picture of him when he was last working on our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Nicholas in the white “T” shirt.

It was good to have a chat with Nicholas to find out how his young son (now four months old) Nathan Nicholas is but we kept the conversation short because we didn’t want to delay progress!!

By the time we had got there they had fitted the first of the wall units in the larger of the two bedrooms

and were about to do the same for the smaller bedroom where Moses was starting to install the door frame for the bathroom.

Outside the apartment we saw (couldn’t fail to really) that the water heater had been delivered.

The water heater will be installed in the Pump Room.

Around the back of the house (western or lagoon side) Angel and Alfredo had just finished applying the final coat of emulsion for the exterior Ground Floor wall.

Plastic sheeting protecting the veranda and stairs.

Nearly looking finished now.

Up the stairs (avoiding Christopher of course) to the First Floor where we found José cutting in around the skirting (base) tiles in the hallway.

In to the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) where the air conditioning unit had been fitted)

A few steps to the southern veranda and we saw that the external unit had been fitted as well.

I then went up the scaffolding (oh for the stairs to be installed) to find that the air conditioning for our bedroom had also been fitted.

External unit bolted to the floor of the northern side of the roof terrace.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 2007 by Michael Bublé which reached number nineteen in the UK Singles Chart but only number ninety-seven in the US Billboard Hot 100.

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

With it being a public holiday in Belize yesterday to celebrate and commemorate the battle of St George’s Caye and needing to recover from my exertions (I am getting older!) of the previous day I decided that it would be a ‘blog free’ day for me (and you if you were waiting for an edition to be published!).

From the time (around 05.00 hours for those of you that ‘like’ this kind of detail) I got out on to the veranda it had the ‘feel’ of being ‘one of those days’. You know the type. Rainy. Overcast. Dull. The kind of weather that might encourage you to grab a book and go back to bed.

Well I didn’t go to those lengths but I might just as well have done because I couldn’t even muster up the enthusiasm (or energy) to go in to town to watch the celebrations. Fortunately not everyone is as easily influenced by weather conditions as I am and you can get a very good ‘feel’ for what the parade was like from the edition that San Pedro Scoop published.

Rose and I did spend a bit of time (well actually quite a lot time) running through the list of items that we are going to order and ship in from the States for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize under the Qualified Retirement Programme.

It got to around 16.00 hours and we both decided that we had just had enough of Internet ‘shopping’ so we got ourselves ready and headed off to Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar & Grill to watch the World Cup Qualifier between the USA and Mexico.

We hadn’t been there long (think we were on our second Belikin -and they don’t take too long too drink!) when we were joined by Rose and Bob, a couple from the States who are researching for their big move to Belize next year (Bob is chronicling their travels in his blog) . We have only been in their company a few times but it seems like we have known them for an age. Conversation flows so easily and before we knew it was time for us to ‘say’ our goodbyes to our newest friends and head home. Oh, the USA beat Mexico by two goals to nil.

What with taking the day off yesterday I haven’t brought you up-to-date with what Rose and I saw when we visited our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize on Monday. Before I do though I should mention that on the way there we stopped off at the Ambergris Hope Clinic so that Rose could have the stitches from her leg removed. It was a painless (well it was for me) experience that was carried out in around ten minutes by Nurse Veronica who distracted Rose by telling us how she became a nurse.

We got to our lot around 16.00 hours and as we pulled in saw that the railings for the south-west corner of the First Floor had been sprayed.

I am going to do my utmost to be ‘there’ when the guys lift it in to place!

Up the ramp to the Ground Floor where we found Christopher, José and Alfredo laying the final coat (dyed Buff) of cement for the floor of the Store Room/Garage.

Christopher (left) and José.

Alfredo joins them.

Before heading up the stairs we saw that they had already laid the floor for the Pump Room.

Up the stairs and in to the dining room area and we saw it. An air-conditioning unit (the first) had been installed.

Bolted to the floor of the northern veranda.

Looking across the room in to the ‘living room’ area we saw that Rolando had fitted the bracket for the next unit.

And it was time to lift the unit in to place.

Wilson (L) and Rolando (R) lifting the unit in to position.

Outside on the southern veranda Moses was pulling the tubing through the cavity in the wall.

And with this done Rolando was able to able to slot the wall unit in to the bracket.

And it’s in!

With all of the ‘electrics’ now being fitted the control box in the Utility Room is now starting to look more and more ‘busy’.

Rolando’s ‘legend’. Or is it, Rolando is a legend?

Before leaving I climbed the scaffolding to see how the newly laid dyed cement floor for the veranda/roof terrace was drying out.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1970 by Arrival which reached number eight in the UK Singles Chart.

“Beat It” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

San Pedro really got in to the September Celebrations tonight at Central Park to celebrate on the eve of St George’s Caye Day and Rose and I went there to see our new neighbours honouring their history.

There were loads of people there around 18.30 hours even though it was way in advance of the start of the show but they were more than ready to beat it with the San Pedro High School Marching Band.

Belize flag blowing proudly in the breeze over the venue.

Final arrangements for the stage.

Oblivious to it all. But dressed up for the occasion.

On her way to Central Park. And doesn’t she look cute.

And she joins the race to be there first.

Young girls getting ready for their time on the stage.

Drummers not yet in the spotlight. That’s why it’s dark!!! (Or is it that I didn’t set the flash correctly ?).

Getting ready to start.

And they are off!

Center stage.

Not one, not two, but three drums. He knows how to beat it!

The headline for today’s first edition is based on the single released in 1983 by Michael Jackson which reached number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three in the UK Singles Chart.

“The Way You Do the Things You Do” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Looks like I might be better at this blogging lark than I thought. Maybe all those years of working with journalists may have paid off. Why? Well, in Friday’s edition I mentioned (and included a few photos) that the streets in San Pedro were ‘dressed up’ for the September celebrations.

So what, you’re probably thinking. Well after looking at the various blogs yesterday it looks as though I covered it first. A scoop? Or is it just a case of its just the way you do the things you do?

Anyway enough of my self-praise (its not a redeeming quality. As my Dad used to say “Self praise is no recommendation”) what did yesterday hold for Rose and I?

I started my day in the normal way (regular readers know the score. For ‘first time’ readers just go to a previous edition for a fuller description. Or, don’t waste your time. It’s pretty boring anyway) and around 07.30 hours set off (I had showered,etc) for breakfast at Estel’s.

With breakfast finished I went to Barrier Reef Drive to get in the ‘cart for the drive home but stopped in my tracks when I saw a small crowd outside the Town Council offices. What could this be? A residents’ revolt? And then I remembered. The auditions for actors for the telenovela I told you about in Thursday’s edition.

See anyone you recognise?

A star of the future?

If you look hard through the windscreen (windshield for non UK readers ) you can just make out Drew Forman of DJ’s Seaside Restaurant & Bar (red arrow marks the spot).

Is this another exclusive? Getting to be a regular newshound. I better watch out otherwise Saga will be rounding me up as part of its “Hip to Snip” campaign!

When I got home , feeling exhausted from news gathering, I spread out on the sofa to watch the Scottish Premier League (sorry to say that it is a very poor substitute for the English Premier League) until it was time for Rose and I to head off to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

We got there around 15.30 hours and parked near the just completed railing for the south-east corner of the Second Floor.

Ready for rustproofing and painting.

Blue arrow indicates where the railings will go.

It was obvious from the number of guys sitting in front of the Ground Floor self-contained apartment that there had been some serious action going on. We hadn’t had this many guys on our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize since the last concrete pour (the roof). And many of the guys had been on that.

We saw Sam, Eric, Martin and Eduardo who very proudly told us that he is the father of a little boy called Eduardo Andre. It was really good to see the guys again.

Saying goodbye we controlled our enthusiasm to go to the Second Floor (that’s where the action had been) and started our tour in the self-contained apartment where we found that the granite countertop for the vanity unit in the bathroom for the larger of the two bedrooms had been fitted.

Seeing that not much else had been done we headed up the stairs to the First Floor noticing on the way up that they had finished cutting in around the skirting (base) tiles for the stairs.

Once we ‘hit’ the top of the stairs we saw that the lock had been fitted for the front doors.

Opening the door (and it felt really good to be able to do this) we entered the house and saw that Rolando had started to fit the dimmer switches.

In the Powder Room the granite countertop had been fitted by Edgar.

And he had fitted it for the en-suite for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room) too.

We also saw that the air conditioning units had been delivered.

Units for internal and external placement. All external units will be fitted at ground level.

Taking a walk around the veranda we noticed that Rolando had fitted the external taps (faucets).

Western (lagoon) side.

And it works. Note the water in the bucket.

Southern side.

Not able to apply restraint anymore I headed up the scaffold to see what had been going on. Once up there it became immediately obvious. They had laid the final coat of cement (dyed Buff) for the veranda and roof terrace.

Veranda – western (lagoon) side.

Roof terrace – northern side.

The cement needs to dry before the effects of the dye will really be seen (we hope). The good thing about living here though is that it will not take very long to dry!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1964 by The Temptations which reached number eleven in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“It’s a Mystery” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Regular readers will know my routine and yesterday wasn’t much different. Up early and straight (well after making a mug of black coffee) on to the veranda for a couple of hours with my iPad. Boring? Not at all. I thoroughly enjoy it.

With my ‘fix’ of news taken care of I took care of my ablutions, dressed and had breakfast (at home and not at Estel’s – my routine does have a degree of flexibility in it!) and then set to tackling some administrative stuff.

First off was to make contact with the removal company (Excess International Movers) we are using to ship our stuff from the UK to Belize.

Rose has been following the progress of the ship and informed me that having docked in Norfolk, Virginia it was in the North Atlantic Sea. Heading back to Europe! Were we ever going to see our stuff?

Following an exchange of emails with the removal company all became clear and the mini-panic (no panic really, I only introduced this for dramatic effect) was over. Our stuff had been off-loaded when the ship had docked in Miami and is en-route to Belize City and should arrive tomorrow.

I then ‘chased up’ Banana Beach Resort to make sure that they had taken care of the few things we need to have ‘put right’ for the viewings that Pelican Properties has arranged for the condo we want to sell for next week.

With these administrative tasks (OK, nothing too difficult or strenuous) completed it was time for me to take Rose to the Ambergris Hope Clinic for a check-up after her accident last week.

We got there at 11.45 hours and after a short wait she and I met with Doctor Gonzales who, after examining her leg and face, proclaimed that she is healing exceptionally well. And very quickly. Must be all that stuff (cannot be any more precise than than -it’s a mystery) she puts on her skin! The bit I liked though (well I would, wouldn’t I) was when he told her what a good husband she has. I’ve been telling her that for years but… Now a relative stranger tells her it and she believes it. Women!

From the clinic we drove straight to Pedro’s Hotel for the lunch that Peter Lawrence (aka Pedro) had organised prior to England’s World Cup Qualifier game against Moldova.

The place was packed – twenty-two people (two team’s worth!) and the fayre was, as always, plentiful and well cooked (or should it be cooked well? -hopefully you know what I mean anyway).

England set about the game in a proficient manner and got the expected win (by four goals to nil) and now head the group by one point. The game against Ukraine next Tuesday will be a far more stiffer test though.

With the game and lunch over we made thanks to Peter and said our farewells to those guests still there (some inexplicably had left before the game finished – obviously not English!) and went straight to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and arrived there at 15.30 hours.

Pulling in to the lot we noticed instantly that there was something different about the front of the house. The entrance doors had been hung.

“Can’t see them?”

“Now you can”.

I was still looking up at the doors when it struck me. Something was different about the area in front of the house. What was it? The railings had gone!

Rushing (and I mean rushing – even Rose with her injured leg) to the entrance stairs we stopped briefly to ask Angel if they had been fitted. “Yes” he replied, “We did it this morning”.

Want to see them? Well here they are.

Wilson cleaning up the railings on the First Floor.

Rose forgot about any insecurities she might have had about climbing the scaffold and up we went to the Second Floor.

View of the railings looking north.

View of the railings looking south.

View of both sets of railings from the back garden.

Tearing ourselves away from admiring the railings we took a look at my bathroom to see if Rolando had started to install my sink. He hadn’t but he had completed the pipe work for my tap (faucet for non UK readers) and made good the wall.

Tap (faucet) next!

Going down to the First Floor we were able to take a closer look at the front doors.

Not as good a view as we had before they were hung

but obviously we need doors. We can always open them though.

Hearing voices behind us we turned around to see Edgar (the granite man), Wilson and Moses in the kitchen. They were fitting the next section of the countertop.

It’s in.

Feeling really pleased with what we had seen we went back down to the Ground Floor where we saw that Angel had finished applying the second coat of masonry sealant to the inside walls of the Pump Room.

Looks too good for a pump room doesn’t it?

And we saw that the screens for the sliding windows ( door) had been delivered.

Hopefully they will keep the mosquitos out.

Now how did they get the railings up? It’s a mystery! Well it’s not, because I asked.

They carried them to the back of the house and then pulled them up by rope. No pulleys, just brute strength. These guys may not be built like Mr Universe but they are strong. And I mean STRONG.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1981 by Toyah (fronted by Toyah Willcox) which reached number four in the UK Singles Chart.

“Get the Party Started” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Up yesterday morning around my normal time of 05.00 hours and spent a very pleasant couple of hours on the veranda. Me, my coffee and the iPad.

Had to curtail my chill time though because I had the ‘cart booked in for a service at Captain Shark’s so I showered, shaved, got dressed and went for breakfast (yep, at Estel’s).

On the way there I was taken by how the streets were changing in readiness for the September Celebrations. Celebrations that will take place throughout Belize.

Barrier Reef Drive (Front Street) adorned with bunting.

As is Pescador Drive (Middle Street).

But what about Angel Coral Street (Back Street) ?

All the signs are there. This is going to be a great month. Lets get the party started!

After a very enjoyable breakfast (what else could it be?) I dropped the ‘cart off and then walked back to the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. On the way I took a close look at the damage that the fire had caused to Ramon’s Resort Village.

Once home I resumed my ‘chill out’ and took the current book I am reading (Brick Lane by Monica Ali) to the beach. Hard work isn’t it!

After lunch it was time to go collect the golf cart and Rose and I took (obviously) the scenic route – the beachfront.

As we approached The Island Academy we saw a body laying prone on the beach.

Now that’s what you call sleeping on the job! Or had he started to party early?

Once we had got the ‘cart we headed straight to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize and got there shortly after 16.00 hours and noticed amongst the blaze of white that the motion sensor spotlights for the Ground Floor had been fitted by Rolando.

Entrance and Store Room/Garage.

For the Pump Room.

Even without the lights working yet its definitely getting a lot brighter as the paint goes on.

Store Room/Garage after second coat of masonry sealant.

Angel in the Pump Room.

Around the back of the house Alfredo and Wilson were hard at work with the rollers.

“Think you missed a bit Alfredo”.

Back around the front again we found Moses fitting a hinge for one of the front doors for the First Floor.

Enough of being outside we went into the Ground Floor self-contained apartment and saw that the guys had been busy.

The door for the smaller bedroom had been hung.

And the drawers and doors for the vanity unit for the en-suite of the smaller bedroom had been fitted.

And the bedroom had had its second , and final, coat of emulsion.

Feeling that things are really starting to take shape on the Ground Floor we headed up the stairs to the First Floor and saw straight away that Moses had fitted the frame for the front doors.

Inside there were obvious signs that Rolando had been at work fitting the light switches.

On the way out we stopped to see how the welder was going with the railings for the front (eastern side) of the Second Floor.

Nearly finished. Well it was nearly 17.00 hours. Time to clock off!

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 2001 by Pink which reached number four in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one in the UK Singles Chart.

“Gonna Make You a Star” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Most mornings I try to remember to drag myself from the veranda at around 07.20 hours and move inside the condo we are renting during our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize to watch The Morning Show , the programme broadcast by Reef TV (channel 20).

OK the production quality may not come close to the quality of the much larger stations but it is a mine of information relating to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and pertinent information about Belize in general.

The reason for mentioning the programme is that when I was watching on Tuesday a segment of it featured Matthiew Klinck, a Canadian living in Belize who founded and runs the cinema arts and training production programme Make- Belize Films.

Last year there was great excitement on Ambergris Caye (and I understand the rest of Belize) when he released the film that he had made called “Kurse a di Xtabai” (“Curse of the Xtabai”). This was the first major feature length dramatic movie to be totally shot in Belize. And the dialogue was spoken in Creole (it had sub-titles for non-Creole speakers).

* Xtabai – according to Mayan folklore the Xtabai (pronounced sh-ta-bai) were beautiful female spirits (much like the sirens of Greek mythology) that lived in the ceiba tree and lured men with their enchanting voices. I think Rose might be one!

So, why was he on “The Morning Show”?

Well, he is about to embark on a telenovela** and this Saturday auditions for actors will be held -starting at 10.00 hours – at the offices of the San Pedro Town Council in Barrier Reef Drive. Experience isn’t necessary because training will be provided. Just turn up because Matthiew is gonna make you a star!

** Telenovela (I didn’t know what it meant) – a limited run dramatic TV series.

Actors for this will come exclusively from Ambergris Caye and in the weeks ahead interviews will be held to fill the technical and production positions.

Hollywood comes to Ambergris Caye!!!

I hope that you found this interesting (I did!) but now to the current purpose of this blog, our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Rose felt much better yesterday and she joined me when I set off shortly after 15.30 hours to drive to our lot.

Rose, although much better, is still feeling a bit fragile so it was a real bonus when we got to the stretch of road in Coconut Drive between TMM Yacht Charters and Ramon’s Village Resort to find that the road repairs had been completed. No more taking the extremely bumpy diversionary route!

The thing we noticed on pulling in to our lot was how white the house is now looking as the guys get to work with the rollers and brushes.

Over the last few days Alfredo, Angel and, more latterly, Wilson have been focusing on the Ground Floor and yesterday was ‘more of the same’.

Alfredo working on one of the columns. Wilson just going to get more paint for the back (lagoon side) of the house

Not much cement to cover now!

Whilst around the back of the house I took the opportunity of taking a closer look at the tiling for the veranda and stairs for the larger of the two bedrooms of the self-contained apartment and was really pleased with the effect that Manual has created with part tiles on the sides of the steps.

Small tile effect. Very effective we think.

At the front of the house Moses was at his work- bench making the final adjustments for one of the doors for the self-contained apartment.

Moving in to the apartment we saw that Moses had started fitting the door frames.

Door between living/kitchen area and the larger bedroom.

Frame ready for fitting.

If you read yesterday’s edition you might recall that I mentioned that the guys (Alfredo and Wilson) had been digging a trench for the pipe that the electric cabling will be run through to power up the house. The trench hasn’t been finished yet (heavily waterlogged area) but the pipework has been completed and the wiring is in. Just needs to be switched on now!

The ‘electrics’ are in the pipe on the left. It runs from the BEL connection in the north-east (roadside) corner of our lot.

In readiness for the big ‘switch on’ Rolando had been working on the wiring for the control box in the Ground Floor self-contained apartment .

Wiring complete.

And when we got up to the First Floor we found that he had also finished the wiring for the control box there too.

Control box in the Utility (my) Room.

In the kitchen Moses, in between hanging doors, had fitted the corniche above the pantry and the cabinet that will be above the refrigerator.

Stating to look like the finished article.

As I bring today’s edition to a close I will leave you with the view I had yesterday morning from the veranda at around 06.30 hours.

Not bad is it?

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1974 by David Essex which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart.

“Under Pressure” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

How could I (but I did!) publish yesterday’s edition without mentioning that Arsène Wenger eventually entered the transfer market and bought a player. And what a player he bought! Mesut Özil , the German international, from Real Madrid (no less) for £42.5 million.

There is little doubt (to my mind and the vast majority of supporters) that Arsène should have bought to strengthen (improve) other parts of the squad but I think (really, really hope) that he has come up with the goods in Özil. We shall see as the season unfolds.

Another grey, overcast and sometimes rainy day yesterday. Just the kind of weather conditions that the mosquitos like. Ouch, ouch, ouch!

When the weather is like it was (and that isn’t too often here) I generally turn my attention to catching up on administrative matters and that is exactly what I did yesterday.

In between I took care of breakfast for Rose (she is still feeling a little poorly after her fall) and then went to get the ingredients for dinner (I cooked that too – getting to be a right Jamie Oliver!).

The afternoon arrived fairly quickly (well it took as long to reach it but you know what I mean) and it was time to head off to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Rose still wasn’t feeling at her best and as much as I wanted her to join me I didn’t want to put her under pressure. So, I went alone and got there around 15.45 hours.

As I pulled in to our lot I saw that the guys (I found out subsequently that it was José) had started to apply masonry sealant to the interior walls of the Store Room/Garage.

Walls starting to ‘take on’ that finished look. Note the ever decreasing supply of building materials.

Around the northern side of the house I found Angel applying the second coat of masonry sealant to the Ground Floor exterior wall.

Emulsion next!

Around the back (western or lagoon side) of the house Manuel had laid the tiles for the steps of the veranda of the larger bedroom and was applying grouting.

In the north-east corner of our lot I could just see( they were partially hidden by the trees and bushes) Alfredo and Wilson who were digging a trench for the piping for the electricity supply for the house. I did think (not for long though) about going over there to take a few photos but the mosquitos (and sand flies) were venomous. Maybe on the next visit to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Wanting (needing) to get some respite from the biters I went in to the Ground Floor self contained apartment to find that Moses had fitted the vanity unit for the bathroom of the larger of the two bedrooms.

And he had fitted the doors and drawers.

In to the bathroom for the smaller of the two bedrooms to find no Ernesto! He had finished grouting the tiles.

Vanity unit next?

Finished with the walk-around the Ground Floor I headed up the stairs to the First Floor and on getting to the top saw that the vent for the dryer had been installed.

External view of the vent.

Pipe for the vent in the Utility (my) Room.

Out on the western (lagoon) side veranda ,Christopher was finishing off the grouting for under the sliding windows (doors).

Close up of the grout.

Christopher on the last window.

Inside the house Moses had finished fixing the architrave for the door leading to/from the Kitchen to the Utility (my) Room.

Time to climb the scaffolding to see whether Ronaldo had started fitting the tap for my bathroom . He had. And what a start!

Looks a mess doesn’t it.

And he had cut the holes in the bottom of the vanity unit for the pipes.

Fortunately it’s the bottom of the unit.

Out on the veranda/roof terrace Rolando had finished fitting the covers for the power sockets.

Southern wall.

Northern wall.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1981 by Queen and David Bowie which reached number number one in the UK Singles Chart and number twenty-nine in the US Billboard Hot 100.

“Just the Two of Us” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Those of you that read Sunday’s edition will know that I was eagerly (OK, and nervously) looking forward (there must be a bit of a masochist in me!) to the Arsenal v Spurs game.

Got everything done – including breakfast for Rose – before the kick-off (09.00 hours local time). TV tuned in to channel 103 (NBC). Nicely positioned on the sofa when the players walked on to the pitch. And then catastrophe … the signal was lost.

Try as I might (and believe me I did try) I could not get the match. Left with no alternative I switched to the Internet (at least it was working) and listened to the game on Talk Sport (a UK radio station). No where near as good as watching Arsenal beat Spurs by a thumping (sic) one nil but at least I was ‘there’. Figuratively speaking.

Not much else to say about the remainder of the day really but I did manage to persuade (after much cajoling) Rose to venture out with her bruised and swollen face.

Yesterday morning after time on the veranda reading The Times on-line (and especially the write-up on Arsenal’s victory over our North London rivals) I showered, shaved, dressed and went to Estel’s. It was a grey and overcast morning with frequent appearances of rain. It doesn’t matter though – whatever the weather the view is always good from Estel’s. And so is the breakfast!

When the time drew close for a visit to our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize Rose said that I should go alone. Believing that the longer she stayed away the more difficult it would be for her to go (the proverbial “if you fall off a horse get straight back on to it”) I used whatever skills I have to persuade her otherwise and we set off at around 15.15 hours. It was great to have her back in the cart. I prefer it when it is just the two of us!

On arrival we went straight to the Ground Floor self-contained apartment and saw on the way that Angel and Alfredo had been and still were busy applying masonry sealant to the external walls.

Northern exterior wall. Cutting in around the pipes to do.

Southern exterior wall. Work in progress.

Eastern exterior walls.

Angel applying sealant for the Pump Room.

At the back (western or lagoon side) of the house we saw that Manual had finished laying the floor tiles for the veranda of the larger of the two bedrooms.

The offending veranda.

Finished with our tour of the Ground Floor (Wilson and Ernesto were still working in the two bathrooms) we went up to the First Floor and saw straight away that Moses had hung the door and fitted the architrave for the Powder Room.

He had also fitted the architrave for the bedroom (Rose’s handicraft room).

Walking through to the kitchen we found Moses who, having hung the door for the Utility Room

was in the process of fitting the architrave.

Moses in action.

Out on the veranda we found Christopher busy applying the grouting for the skirting tiles.

Christopher on the western (lagoon) side.

Christopher removing the masking tape.

A close-up of the grouting. Neat isn’t it.

While we were out there we also saw that Rolando had been busy fitting the covers for the power sockets.

Arrows indicate them.

Close-up.

Going back in to the house we saw Rolando who asked me to let him know how high I want the tap fitted for the sink in my bathroom so we both climbed the scaffold and went up there. After positioning the sink I was able to (by virtue of miming washing my face – really pleased there wasn’t a video camera in operation!) tell him where I want it fitted.

My vessel sink will ‘sit’ on the countertop and the tap will come from the wall.

On leaving our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize we saw that the welder was making good progress on one of the corner railings for the Second Floor.

Vertical posts welded. Now working on the ‘horizontals’.

Red arrows show where the corner railings will be fitted.

I can’t publish this edition without mentioning the completely unexpected surprise we got in the evening. We had just settled down to eat our dinner when there was a knock on the door. On opening it I found a guy standing there holding a flower arrangement. It had been sent for Rose by Peter Lawrence (aka Pedro’s Hotel) to wish her a speedy recovery. A really thoughtful gesture.

The photograph doesn’t do it justice. It is lovely.

The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1981 by Grover Washington Jr and Bill Withers which reached number two in the US Billboard Hot 100.