A lot has happened since my last post. The windows and doors as well as tile and plumbing and light fixtures arrived in two shipping containers. The construction crew unloaded the containers and immediately went to work installing the doors and windows. The floors were uneven and needed to be floated before the tile could be installed. I have been back and forth to Phoenix. In October, my dear friends Tom and Renee came for an extended visit. It was nice to have the company. We were able to explore the islands over a three day weekend when the workers had a break. I will let the pictures tell more of the story…
I was happy to be joined by Tom and Renee Cottrell during the month of October. While I was working on the site or in my makeshift office, Tom and Renee took walks, bird watched and read. It was so nice to have the company at night. There was a three day weekend that allowed us to explore the islands. We snorkeled one day. Went to The Baths in Virgin Gorda the next. And on the third play day, we went to the newly rebuilt Saba Rock Resort.
Tom and Renee at the Baths.
Rain provides all the water for domestic use. It is stored in cisterns. There are four large existing cisterns and we added two new ones.
I decided to add a two car garage with a workshop in place of the old storage shed. It certainly would have made more sense and been less expensive if i had made this decision before construction had commenced. Below are two photos of the garage under construction. Don’t tell Brigid, the garage is larger and cost more than our master cottage.
Based on the grades of the site, it was necessary to bring in large rocks to create a retaining wall to support the driveway approach to the garage. Below the rocks being dumped and moved by a master equipment operator.
I came home just before Halloween to see Brigid, Summer and Johnny. Randy arranged for us to have a family dinner at our favorite Mexican Restaurant, El Bravo, with dad, Cassia and Rick.
By the time I returned in early November, the windows and doors had been installed.
The existing floors were uneven. Before the tile could be laid, all the floors were floated with concrete screed.
Floating the floors was a labor intensive day for the workers.
The photos below show some of the rooms after the floors were floated.
After the floors were floated, laying the tile commenced.
After the exterior walls were up, they were covered with concrete mortar to have a plastered finish. Once the doors and windows were installed, the crew could begin putting on the final coat of synthetic plaster called Dryvit. The final exterior color is in the Dryvit.
On the inside, crews work to put a finishing compound over the sanded plastered walls. The walls are then sanded again to give a beautiful satin smooth finish. The finished interior walls are starting to receive their first coat of paint.
From the water, the site is starting to look near completion.
I flew home for Thanksgiving on November 19th. Returning requires a long day of travel and I arrive after Brigid and Summer have long gone to sleep. It is most wonderful to see them in the morning and give them big hugs. I have much to be thankful for.
I head back to BVI on November 30th and will return to Phoenix on December 15th. The contractor’s goal is to have the majority of the construction completed by year end. We can’t wait to see the completed project.
Thank you for all the kind words of support and encouragement.
Thanksgiving blessings to you all. Hugs!
Dan
LOOKS AMAZING!! I am so excited for you guys- it is going to be a super fun and beautiful place.
Thanks Megan. Can’t wait to have the O’Toole family come visit.
Wow! You can really start to see this as the beautiful home you invisioned. It is stunning and I love hearing about the work. Thank you D!
Thanks Katie. Tell Mike there will be room for brother in laws. That is why I added the garage. 😉
Very nice Dan. Congratulations on the progress…
Ron,
Thank that means a lot to me.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Claire and Kimberly and Hugh.
Looking good.
Thanks John
Looks so good and your writing makes me feel like I’m there. Strangely even your photos make me think I’m there.
Thanks Tom.
This all looks phenomenal!!! Can’t wait to see it in person, but I really can’t wait to see all the Ryes!!!! January can’t get here fast enough!!!❤️
Ginger,
Thank you so very much. We can’t wait to see you, Rodney, Gracie and Alan as well. Happy Thanksgiving. We are most thankful for our friendship with you and Rodney and the Shands family.
This is all just fascinating to me! I think it takes a lot of guts to take on a project like this. I get excited to read your updates and watch your dreams unfold before my eyes. Happy Thanksgiving Dan! (I promise not to say a word to Brigid about the garage.)
Thanks Lisa,
Guts or shear ignorance.
Have a happy Thanksgiving.
WOWOWOWOWOW!!! This is so exciting. Your place looks beautiful and how awesome that you are able to share this so clearly with us. Great writing, great pics, beautiful location. So happy you writing this blog so we can all ride along as you build.
Barb,
Thanks for the positive feedback and support. Definitely we want to share it with all of the Basalone Family Singers. Can’t wait.
So cool, Dan. Fun to see the process and the details you’re putting into this place.
Thanking for sharing. It’s really exciting to see it develop. It’s going to be beautiful!
Stay safe.
Love,
Roger&Barb
When’s the furniture coming? Views are amazing.
Fun to see the amazing transformation of Indigo Point!
Wow Dan! This is so amazing. The amount of work involved! It is turning out beautifully! I am sure you are eager for the cabinetry and furniture to arrive. Best wishes! Bobbie and Ed