Survival Tools

The supposed 'canicula' I spoke about in the previous BLOG has not materialised at all with the weather continuing to be very wet and likely to get wetter as we move into the final months of the season. Keeping on top of the weeds is an almost impossible challenge but we are making the effort to make good use of all the available organic matter to 'mulch' the fruit trees which helps them survive the dry season.

What will help us humans survive the dry season is the 10m long elliptical chlorine free natural swimming pool that is well under-way; All the cement work is complete and we are getting down to finer details which include tiling and sealing the interior. After this is down early next week we will fill the pool for the first time which will help the cement cure fully. Then, in about 10 weeks, we will drain the pool, clean & dry it before applying 3 coats of crystal blue pool paint. The view when seated in the pool will be magical.

We're happy to have more movement in the TOTOCO volunteer zone where Justin and Thomas have been working with the Farm and the Development Center respectively. We have been doing some important maintenance work on the roofs and the shower as well as continuing the expansion of the vegetable garden and the important work of mulching the fruit trees that was mentioned earlier. Thomas has been supporting Patricia by running errands, doing research and using his considerable artistic skills to prepare a sign for the local library. You can follow the progress of the Development Center at www.totocodc.blogspot.com