30 April 2016
Second coat on the last corner of the north wall. Hoping to have it all third coated before the end of May.
Second coat on the last corner of the north wall. Hoping to have it all third coated before the end of May.
Saturday, 30 April 2016
More Planting
27 April 2016
The Nisos Annual Christmas Party was on 26 April (they don't have a great sense of timing!). Dave, Lucy, Panos and John did a few numbers in Steamboat Rooster's gig. Another great party, which left us on light duties (planting things) the next day.
The Nisos Annual Christmas Party was on 26 April (they don't have a great sense of timing!). Dave, Lucy, Panos and John did a few numbers in Steamboat Rooster's gig. Another great party, which left us on light duties (planting things) the next day.
Dave planting peppers
A quick auto-shot of us both
I planted five new aloe veras in the dry terrace
Then we set up the irrigation system for the the raised beds
Then we tried out our new favourite purchase: sleepy sunbeds from Lidl
Growing things
19 April
The land is covered in wild gladioli this year. They are very wonderful.
The land is covered in wild gladioli this year. They are very wonderful.
And we've checked out on line how to grow sweet potatoes - apparently all you do is stick one end in water, so it can root, then it puts out 'slips' from the top. When they're 15cm tall, you break them off and put them in water separately to make their own roots, then plant them. Worth a try!
Multiple birthdays
16 April 2016
The party went with a swing. Barbeque outside, then the Lefkas Shantymen did some songs before the music moved inside as it grew dusk, and we danced all night.
The party went with a swing. Barbeque outside, then the Lefkas Shantymen did some songs before the music moved inside as it grew dusk, and we danced all night.
The party trio: Beth, Jan and Lucy - at the end of a successful night
Thursday, 28 April 2016
The Day Before
Friday 15 April 2016
The party is tomorrow. Last year, at Dave's birthday, we had big dust problems when people danced, so this year I decided we would invest in 18 euros of cardboard and lay a floor. Before anyone trod on it, it looked rather fabulous:
The party is tomorrow. Last year, at Dave's birthday, we had big dust problems when people danced, so this year I decided we would invest in 18 euros of cardboard and lay a floor. Before anyone trod on it, it looked rather fabulous:
Then I produced some signs, to help people find the house from the road. The party is a three-way birthday: Jan's 60th; Lucy's 50th; and Beth (who didn't ever say how old). Jan and Lucy are both performers and wanted a venue for live music, so we offered.
I took the opportunity to make a permanent sign with directions across the field to the house
and rushed out a quick logo for a bit of corporate branding (!)
Mark, Vinnie and John came round to 'test the sound system' so we had an impromptu jam session,
and I roughed out a running order for tomorrow night
Earthed
14 April 2016
Tomas the Electrician came back to do a job that we've wanted for some time. Our off-grid electrics are vulnerable to lightning strikes, so we wanted to get a good earthing system.
Tomas installed 8 copper rods deep into the earth, and tied them together with copper wire. Unfortunately, the timing was bad, as we have a big party at the weekend, and now we have trip wires and toe-stubbing rod-tops around two sides of the house. So I had to set up some barricades to dissuade explorers.
Tomas the Electrician came back to do a job that we've wanted for some time. Our off-grid electrics are vulnerable to lightning strikes, so we wanted to get a good earthing system.
Tomas installed 8 copper rods deep into the earth, and tied them together with copper wire. Unfortunately, the timing was bad, as we have a big party at the weekend, and now we have trip wires and toe-stubbing rod-tops around two sides of the house. So I had to set up some barricades to dissuade explorers.
Back in the Garden
11-13 April 2016
We're not planning to do any more plastering until after the party. The weather is changeable, and frankly, we're wiped out by last week's efforts. Lime takes a toll on the skin, and it's good to take a break and let my hands recover.
So, back to the garden.
We're not planning to do any more plastering until after the party. The weather is changeable, and frankly, we're wiped out by last week's efforts. Lime takes a toll on the skin, and it's good to take a break and let my hands recover.
So, back to the garden.
Dave whittling away at a cypress stump in what will be the driveway
The middle one of the three terrace beds, ready for the earth to be turned ...
... and some time later
A rustic bench and coffee table I rustled up to give us somewhere for tea while watching things grow
The wildflower corner next to the bench
Finally, after 5 years, I get round to making a little stand for the mains water pipe and taps
... and another long-procrastinated job - sheltering the mains water pipe from the sun.
A rather wonderful butterfly on the clover
Big Party Clean up
10 April 2016
The best thing about hosting a birthday party for three people at the house is the number of willing helpers who turned up a week before to sort us out and clean us up.
The best thing about hosting a birthday party for three people at the house is the number of willing helpers who turned up a week before to sort us out and clean us up.
Panos, Beth and Lucy supervised by Dave in the barbeque area
Jan hard at work constructing car ramps to get into the car park field
Elaine in the kitchen
The garden crew gardening
Jan and Dave extend the kitchen floor
Lucy and Panos construct a fairy circle amongst the wildflowers
Fuse Box upgrade
7 April 2016
Out of the blue, Tomas the Electrician arrived and said he had a new fuse box for us. The first one he put in seems to have been chewed by rats. The unconnected wires have been leaking oil which must have attracted them. So now we have a nice new one.
Out of the blue, Tomas the Electrician arrived and said he had a new fuse box for us. The first one he put in seems to have been chewed by rats. The unconnected wires have been leaking oil which must have attracted them. So now we have a nice new one.
Fuse box with chewed bottom corners!
Windows
5 April 2016
During the week that was, we had a day off from the wall to get glass for the bedroom. Rowan had come and fitted the opening frames, so Dave gave them a couple of quick coats of paint. After three years of life behind tarpaulins we were understandably keen to get a room with a view.
It was also a good opportunity to get glass into all the fixed frames around the house, creating this rather interesting still life when we had them all stacked up ready for fitting.
During the week that was, we had a day off from the wall to get glass for the bedroom. Rowan had come and fitted the opening frames, so Dave gave them a couple of quick coats of paint. After three years of life behind tarpaulins we were understandably keen to get a room with a view.
It was also a good opportunity to get glass into all the fixed frames around the house, creating this rather interesting still life when we had them all stacked up ready for fitting.
A couple of indoor panels done, just to use up a bit of plaster.
In the garden, the orchid season is in full swing.
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