Mini Summer

In contrast to last year we are currently experiencing what the locals call the 'canicula'. Between mid-Juy and mid-August there is a short period of drier weather with more sun and a lot less rain. Besides putting a temporary hold on planting this doesn't affect anything and simply puts a strain on some of the young saplings planted earlier in the season.

The slightly drier ground is actually helping Thomas's rock-team in their new project of preparing the parking area and round-about at the main-lodge. This team, untill last week, has been out in different parts of the local area loosening and carrying stones to the main road where they are loaded onto trucks and delivered for use in the infill of the foundations on the various structures (but principally the main-lodge).



Now that a significant amount of stones have been delivered, Thomas and his men are carefully laying out the round-about and parking area making sure that there is no chance for water to pool anywhere. We have learned some lessons from preparing the round-about at the bottom and are confident this time we'll get it just right.


Speaking of roads, heavy machinery has been at work on the main-road leading to Madronal and Balgue which means that finally our corner of the island will not be infamous for having the worst driving conditions. When I saw the first improvements yesterday I thought I was dreaming!

Progress is steady with the work on cabins 1 and 2 with the supporting pillars for cabin 2's floating floor nearing completion. Cabin 1 still needs its center pillar of cement prepared and the outer eucalypt pillars put in place before work on the roof can begin.