Painting, paving, plumbing and planting

As I am writing this we have started to slowly drain the swimming pool while taking advantage of the water for doing some heavy irrigation around the lodge. Early next week will see us cleaning the now cured cement after which we can apply three coats of special pool paint. Then it will need 7 days to dry before we can refill again.

We will have the missing elements in the pool's filtration system installed and ready to go before the refill so that the water quality can be optimally maintained from the start. This includes the installation of a 'solar slow pump', plumbing together 4 regeneration ponds and finishing the waterfall feature where water is reintroduced to the pool. Other outstanding tasks include paving the paths and terraces around the pool, placing a 'wash down' shower and planting ornamentals.

There has been a consistent flow of volunteers down at the TOTOCO farm over the past month; Emma (pictured with a sample of her already legendary homemade chocolate) and Stefan have formed an excellent team. They have put a lot of effort into inter planting the garden beds while expanding the production of edible greens, spinach and yard long beans. Pablo meanwhile has been busy with the weed-whacker in the citrus orchard where some heavy mulching will be needed for the trees to survive what looks likely to be a long dry-season.