Villa Week 18

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sat 25 Jul 2020 23:57
Week Eighteen at Sleeping Indian
 
 
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Sunday the 19th of July. Perfect eggs, Bear had stunning events and an egg with the biggest white we have ever seen (not much yolk left as most dangling from the event). We had a lie-in to write last weeks blog, order cards for grandsons birthdays, Bear did some research, then we changed the bed and put the washing on.
 
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Beaten 5 – 4 at backgammon, my turn to growl, then we finished laying the chippings in the front of the front garden and put the cactus sink garden in place. Thrilled to see both of the new hibiscus were showing a bloom. When we bought them the head gardener had “no idea what type they are” so this morning I searched on line, closest match........Sex on the Beach......Mmmm. The old chippings are now in place in front of the air cons and gas cylinders, these chunkier jobbies will stand up to the task of the gas men stomping over when they replace the tanks. Next bit is about Bear putting up a frame for the trellis that the bougainvillea ladies can climb – San Diego (deep pink) and Miss Alice White (thornless). Managed to get to the beach at four for a change. Salad in bed after showers and an episode or two of The Punisher.
 
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Monday the 20th. I did a bit of a tidy as Bear dealt with Mr. Painter who took the end unit and four kitchen cupboard doors - again. Just as we finished putting the solar lights in place in the front garden Mr. Tiler arrived.
 
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Tito skillfully rode his big boy tool and quickly mixed some thin set. The tile ruined by the hurricane shutter chaps blunt drill bit was soon replaced by a tile Bear had pre-drilled with a new bit. We said our ‘farewells’ to Mr. Tiler with thanks and a safe hug. Things feel like they are moving on again and to keep up the momentum my man mixed me some thin set and helped by cutting the odd tile to fit from the microwave to the fridge, couldn’t do anymore as need the end unit in place. Got to the beach at half five.
 
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Garden this morning and this evening with the lights twinkling.
 
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Tuesday the 21st. I grouted yesterdays tiles, Bear grouted the replaced tile that Mr. Tiler fixed in a flash. Lady Ronnie popped in for a chat, lovely to see her. Bear filled and sanded the bottom of the stairs and I first coated the grey wall in the lounge and sprayed the wall light backings. Went for a dip at five.
 
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Wednesday the 22nd.  We put in a really productive day, our best yet and we saw some great changes (at last). I started by giving the downstairs toilet a final coat, Bear wired the dock gate (and later hung it, yay). I put a top coat on the grey lounge wall while Bear sanded and filled the lower staircase.
 
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We had been a bit worried when the hibiscus plants looked a bit saggy but after two nights of hard rain they were not only perky today, they were showing off with flowers.
 
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Together we put up the toilet mirror, that work shirt really is coming to its sell by date but I still love it. Final polish of the toilet and rather chuffed. After lunch (and a sneaky five nil win at backgammon – growling loudly).
 
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I ran the hoover up and down the lounge curtains and dusted as Bear put up the wall lights. Funny trying to smile with a mouth full of screws. We uncovered the three piece suite for the first time since we put it to bed on the 24th of May. The dining table is still a work in progress. We washed the deck and put the patio table out, had a bit of a clear up and at five took the days rubbish and went for a swim. After showers and supper we watched the final episode of the first series of Line of Duty and the first of the the next series.
 
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I woke at two in the morning and whenever possible have a need to surprise Bear. I carried the coffee tables down from the front bedroom one by one, trotted down twice with the glass and found the painted coasters. All polished and candles put in place. Hope when he comes down he will say wow. Indeed I did.
 
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Thursday the 23rd. The hurricane shutter man came to replace the lead collars and stainless buttons and off we went to borrow Sharmone’s car. The usual round of shops then a first visit to a really great hardware shop that took us past The Police Academy. Their sign is painted on one of the old sugar mills. There are about 112 dotted about the island that bear witness to their hundred-odd year history (1630 – 1750). Today the island depends on tourism but it is nice to see a bit of history. Bear was a kid in a toy shop in North West Hardware and after leaving buoyed up with a basketful of goodies we went to pick up the glass for the bedroom units and bookcase. “Pity you didn’t let me know you were coming or I would have had them ready” said the foreman, but we telephoned yesterday and left with just the bedside glass......... Quick dip at six.
 
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Friday the 24th. Mr. Painter arrived early for a change and we were pleased to see the four cupboard doors and corner unit. Sadly, the doors went straight back – chemical reaction stippling, dinks and runs (this has been going on since the end of May) but we managed to keep and put up the corner unit. We have given up with the fence and internal doors choosing to do ‘the little bits’ ourselves but we have to keep stubborn on the kitchen as it is automotive paint and simple cannot be sorted with ordinary enamel. We spent the morning pottering and I did a test on six tiles (on the deck) with sealant we bought yesterday called Homax. We gathered our late lunch and settled to Legendary Family Quiz Four at half two. Such fun and a really good laugh. I was in charge of random guesses this time, Lady Luck failed me and we were spectacularly last. (Well, we lost number one, won two and three, so it was time for a fail)....
 
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Saturday the 25th. A wild and pleasurable change, Bear suggested eggs. A lovely surprise and perfect Aunt Ett’s with no events. We allowed ourselves a slack morning then set about a bit of tidying and more work on sealing the tiles on the deck to make them easier to keep clean. A dip at half four and after showers and supper we settled to the last two episodes of Series Three Line of Duty – excellent finale.
In Other News. The gardeners have been working hard all week on the estate and there is already a huge difference with new plantings, grass cut and huge amounts of weed clearing. Bear tells me that Garmin has been hacked so my Fit Bit mental state has been explained..... 
 
 
ALL IN ALL A LITTLE CORNER TURNED
                     SURFACING AT LAST BUT STILL A WAY TO GO