First, an important note. Kimberly Rowe and Hugh Brock, the daughter and son in law of the previous owners, Ron and Claire Rowe, helped me get my blog in a more professional state. They have both been instrumental in making the blog easier to access and making it look better. They even helped add a subscription sign up at the bottom of the page (assuming I post this correctly). I cannot thank them enough.
A lot has happened since I started this blog. This post will bring you a little more up to date on all the work that has taken place since I posted on the the demolition phase months ago. I will mainly let the pictures tell the story.
The Workers and the Barge
The workers come across from Trellis Bay to Great Camanoe Island on the landing craft I had built in Louisiana. I named the vessel Indigo Lander. The locals call it a barge. It is 40′ long by 12′ wide and is powered by twin Yamaha 200hp outboards. It also carries loads of materials in a mid-size truck. I have a captain, Devon, and a mate, Nigel, who run it for me. During the construction of the footings, floors, walls and roof, the crew would typically consist of 20 to 30 workers. The normal work week during this time was 7:00am to 6:00pm, seven days a week. Most of the workers are from the Lesser Antilles. A few speak English, but most speak Carib and/or Spanish. They are friendly, kind and extremely hard working.
Footings and floors
Footings added to main structureWhere existing footings and floors were left in place, new rebar was epoxied in place in drilled holes.The start of footings for Summer’s CottageFooting excavation for the master cottage.In order to stand up to hurricanes, there is a lot (literally tons) of steel rebar in the foundations, floors and walls.
Pouring the floor of Summer’s Cottage.The framing to cast a cistern for the master cottage.
Master cottage floor.Floor for Summer’s Cottage.
Walls and Roof
Once the floors were poured, the walls went up with surprising speed. The worker are talented block layers.
A parapet is framed in along the tops of the walls. The parapet contains a ring beam filled with rebar.Walls coming up for main building and the start of framing for the concrete roof.
Walls going up for the entry to the main structure.The electrical conduit is run in the ceiling before the concrete roof is poured. I had to be very sure on the placement of light fixtures and ceiling fans because there is no “do over” once the concrete roof is poured. There is no shortage of steel rebar in the walls and roof.Without these jacks holding up the form work for the roof, the weight of the concrete would bring everything collapsing down.
The Day of the Big Concrete Pour
The pumper cranes and concrete trucks came across from Trellis Bay in a large barge named the Aegean Seal. The barge ran all day long and would bring 4 or 5 concrete trucks each trip.
Concrete being placed on Summer’s Cottage.This was the view of the activity at Indigo Point from the balcony of the house I rent nearby.Filling the parapet ring beams.The pumper crane placing concrete on the master cottage roof.I am not sure OSHA would approve.
The Completed Roofs and the Start of Plaster Work.
Once the framing around the roofs was removed the new concrete parapets can be seen.After the roof was in place, the crew began work on applying a coat of plaster on the exterior of the buildings.
Up Next
In my next post, I plan to bring you further up to date on the status of the construction work.
We cannot wait to share Indigo Point with our family and friends.
WOWOWOWOWOW!! I absolutely love following along on this —dang, I wish I were a contractor — this looks super cool. Yahoo! What a dream for you three. I love this all. Thanks for sharing.
Sandra Lee Grisham and Guy Clothier
on September 21, 2021 at 2:13 pm
Can hardly wait to get back to Great Camonoe and sit on my patio over looking your lovely property. Then maybe even the invite down for a swim in your pool LOL. Such amazing spot!
Great update Dan and it’s amazing progress. Impressed with the Barge and the amount of labor it takes to build the house. Also the amount of rebar is fascinating. We are excited for the next update.
Oh, my, Dan. The new Indigo Point is going to be a masterpiece! Before long you, Brigid, and Summer will be relaxing and enjoying this gorgeous new space, and all the hard work will have been worth it. Congratulations!
Dan and Brigid, we have been thinking about you and your project for several months and wondered how it was all going. I finally remembered while in front of the computer and found the link to check out your blog. This is quite the undertaking, and I cannot believe your courage and will to see such an extensive project through. I’m sure it will be an amazing paradise and you’ll have so many stories to share all along the way. Keep it going! You’re amazing!! XO Holly & Jim
Hard to imagine how far you’ve got with it! I’m sure when it’s finished you’re going to lay back with a Coors light (do they have them there??? If not, might have to have some on the barge brought over).
Miss you guys – been was too long since we’ve seen you.
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Beautiful!
This is incredible!!! crazy to think about all the concrete and rebar that went into this! way go go, Dan!!
Thanks Ellen. Can’t wait for you and Dan to come visit!
This is amazing! Did you ever imagine that you would be building a home one day?! And one in the BVI’s? This is fantastic!
Thanks Katie. Can’t wait for you and Mike to come visit!
Wow! Going up fast!
Oh my goodness, I should been a rebar merchant instead of teacher! Dan and Brigid, it looks amazing!!!
Indeed. Thanks Cindy!
Very impressive. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely can’t wait to get back and see everything with my own eyes!!!! It all looks AMAZING!!!❤️
Thanks Ginger. We can’t wait to see you and Rodney and show you the end result.
So much progress in such a short amount of time
I am so glad you included me in watching this amazing project! It is going to be absolutely gorgeous!
You have to be kidding—-the planning and organization to do this is unbelievable. You must not sleep much. Looking great Dan. Stay safe
Wow! What a great adventure! So impressive the amount of planning and work involved. Enjoy the journey. Hugs to you all !
Looks great no joke on electrical being spot on ! Very impressive
great photos Dan! It’s a lot easier to imagine your days down there now, seeing all the workers and work being done.
Really strong construction Dan, nicely done!
Wow! What an amazing journey! It’s so fun to see your progress. Enjoy it!
WOWOWOWOWOW!! I absolutely love following along on this —dang, I wish I were a contractor — this looks super cool. Yahoo! What a dream for you three. I love this all. Thanks for sharing.
Dan, What a wonderful adventure you, Brigid and Summer have undertaken! I cannot wait to read the next chapter! It is beautiful. x0
Can hardly wait to get back to Great Camonoe and sit on my patio over looking your lovely property. Then maybe even the invite down for a swim in your pool LOL. Such amazing spot!
Dan, this is looking great, so excited for you and looking forward to seeing it in person soon. John & Jill
We already have our bags packed for the house warming!
Amazing the volume of work that’s been completed!! What a special place.
This is a dream come true. I’m so proud of all your hard work.
Wow! Thank you Dan for including us on seeing the process of your new adventure and home. Beautiful! Love it!
Great update Dan and it’s amazing progress. Impressed with the Barge and the amount of labor it takes to build the house. Also the amount of rebar is fascinating. We are excited for the next update.
Truly gifted crew Dan! Looks very solid. Thank you for sharing the progression of your beautiful abode!!!! Looking forward to the next phase.
What an incredible project. So exciting!
woooooohooooo! I am loving the look of the last photo so much. this place is going to be spectacular. love you! Megan
Oh, my, Dan. The new Indigo Point is going to be a masterpiece! Before long you, Brigid, and Summer will be relaxing and enjoying this gorgeous new space, and all the hard work will have been worth it. Congratulations!
Claire,
Thank you. I hope you and Ron will like the end result.
Best regards.
Dan
Dan and Brigid, we have been thinking about you and your project for several months and wondered how it was all going. I finally remembered while in front of the computer and found the link to check out your blog. This is quite the undertaking, and I cannot believe your courage and will to see such an extensive project through. I’m sure it will be an amazing paradise and you’ll have so many stories to share all along the way. Keep it going! You’re amazing!! XO Holly & Jim
Holly,
Thank you. We can’t wait to have you and Jim come visit!
Hard to imagine how far you’ve got with it! I’m sure when it’s finished you’re going to lay back with a Coors light (do they have them there??? If not, might have to have some on the barge brought over).
Miss you guys – been was too long since we’ve seen you.
Hughs,
Susie and Jim