construction topics

[flowerBill]

In this photo from the path onto our property from the south, the stone shower enclosure is on the right side of the palapa building, behind and to the right of the wheel barrow. Our well is where the pvc pipe is at the bottom of the photo. We have a pump and solar panel that will pump water whenever there is sunshine to the tank upstairs in the new palapa/bathroom. You can see the shadow of the solar panel on the grass roof. The bathroom palapa wasn't built when this was taken, but it is maybe 15 feet away from the palapa in the picture, in the trees to the left of the house. From that we will route poly pipe above ground or only slightly buried to the shower area. Excess water (overflow from the tank) will either water gardens or overflow into the cave opening to the left of the low wall on the left side of the path. A little confusing but this is the only view I could find that shows almost everything.

If you like to try to find things in pictures, see if you can find Rosaline- he has on a green shirt.

[Ranger]

Originally Posted by flowerBill

If you like to try to find things in pictures, see if you can find Rosaline- he has on a green shirt.

Bent over with a white hat.
Thanks Bill, I see the way the layout goes. I am going to try to get that ten cent tour from you when we are down there. By then (March ?) you should be somewhat settled in, that would be very interesting to me.

[flowerBill]

Absolutely, love to show anyone interested. There are places other than mine that are probably even more attractive and interesting. I'm kind of the low end investment for development on our lot. We should be well settled in by March and have some garden stuff in. March is a great month also to learn about tabanos- another interesting jungle creature.

[flowerBill]

Got a few more from Lynn. Things are moving right along. The first one is of Nehemias up top of the loo palapa. The water tank has just been hoisted up to the top. You can see just the edge of it to one side of the platform it rests on. Should give us plenty of water pressure.

Sure love the way a grass roof looks from the inside. The second is a shot of the loo from the house with the roof done.

Finally the last one is a tile mural (my first) that I just finished framing and hung on our wall here in Maryland. It is my impression of the road to our house.

[Ranger]

It looks like it's coming together. You must be anxious to get down there, at least while you worked on the beautiful mural it keeps the mind occupied.

[flowerBill]

Got a few new pictures from Lynn. Lynn sent them right before solar panels and satelite link to Sacbe were taken down in preparation for the hurricane. Sure hope all our friends get through the storm ok and there's not too much damage from Dean. Thank god the block walls are going in- hopefully a little stronger if the hurricane hits hard there. The first two are views from the side showing the vista maya stone work.


The step at the entrance is clear in the photo above. Not sure what we'll have done for the outside finish on the cinder block. It is required at Sacbe that we have a surface that appears to be natural materials. We'll think about it a little. Inside we'll probably tile when we get down in January.
Next shot is a nice new shot of the house from the south entrance path. Looks much better without the tank on the porch. We plan to wrap the concrete porch on around the house about 10' wide, 2/3 of the way around the house, but probably that won't happen until we get down. Almost broke now so work will have to wind down for awhile.

[Ranger]

That looks very nice, good luck with "Dean".

[Ranger]

Any word from Lynn yet Bill?

[flowerBill]

No word yet, but it'll take awhile, as before the storm they took down all solar panels and the satelite dish/link for the internet. All of it will have to be hooked back up. I'd guess I'll hear tomorrow or Friday but I imagine all went well since there was so little damage in Playa, but who knows.

[auntieninny]

Thanks for thinking of us here in SacBe! All is well, no damage, just a lot of rain and wind. I went for a walk after the blow and took some shots of Kaaxil-Ha Park which was FULL of singing frogs and, later to Xcalacoco beach where the wind was still blowing but BEAUTIFUL!

Enjoy and thanks for thinking of us!

Lynn xx

[flowerBill]

Those frogs are cool Lynn- were they way more numerous after the storm, and is that normal- do they sorta get the urge when it rains heavy?
Thanks for the new shots of our place as well. Below is the house "post Dean". Came through fine.

And a few of progress on the loo palapa. Love the little pebble art detail.

Below is the block wall with stucco applied

And last a close up of the pebble art work

[Ranger]

That great news

[auntieninny]

I asked around FlowerBill and it appears that the backpackin' frogs are actually mom and baby...so get yer mind outta the gutter, yer steppin' on my head! teehee!

[flowerBill]

We just got back from a short trip to San Antonio- loved it by the way. Anyway while we were gone Lynn sent a few more shots of the now mostly complete loo.
Just as a reminder here's a shot of the old inodoro

Here's the new version from the front

A side view

Here's the business area

and the sink/vanity- love it

And finally, proof of running water.

Can't wait to get down. I hope to scrape together enough additional funds to get stairs to the upstairs of the house, but that'll be it for now. Don't want to get there with our big baby of a black Lab and have him cry all night because he can't get upstairs to sleep with "Mommy". Boy is he a wuss! All in all things will be quite livable now. Especially as we plan to bring down a small propane fridge, aladdin lamps, and misc household goods that are needed. Perhaps even a gas grill if it'll fit. Thanks Lynn, Nehemias and Juan, see you in January.

[flowerBill]

Got a few more from Lynn today. The first shows a little garden that she and her friend and housemate, Mary, planted between the main house and the bathroom under some trees there. You can also see the new doors to the loo going in.

We're bringing down a ton of books with the thought to create a library at Sacbe- below are the first book shelves- appropriately located next to the loo seat. My favorite spot to read.

Next a shot of the little shelf that was built in under the window. There is a similar one on the other side.