Baby Jesus's Birthday Stops Building Work
It is obvious that the son of god (apparently) has no qualms about stopping the entire christian world for a quick reminder of his birthday. Over two thousand years ago, and he still gets to make everyone shop for crap, eat massive volumes of food and drink until they are semi-comatose.
However, work continued on until someone said 'stop' earlier this week. My Project Manager is also taking a break visiting sunny places (ha ha... not), but before he left, he sent me some pictures of progress, which I'm afraid will have to do for the next couple of weeks until building work starts again and he returns.
Looking good - don't worry, no chance of falling off the 'patio' - balustrades will be fitted....
A couple of interesting things here: There are score or line marks about a meter up on the wall and at the base of the wall. Perhaps thee are guides for the builders? I don't know. I note their are holes below the ground floor - are these ventilation or drainage - again I don't know.
It's nice to see that even in the winter months that the trees and grass are still verdant green, unlike the UK where everything generally turns to brown and is reasonably grim.
Clouds shroud the top of the volcano on Pico, the island opposite Faial.
Here we can see that the roof is on the porch over the entrance door, Again we can see the line that has been drawn or scored into the render... The lovely window sills are in place. In early January the windows and door will be fitted.
Outside, work continued on the sewage system - as I mentioned before, inspection chambers are provided for maintenance:
This is one of the inspection boxes, shuttered and ready for pouring concrete around once the pipes have been connected. Then the shuttering formers will be removed, it will be covered, with an inspection lid fitted. Nice. Not somewhere you'd want to look before breakfast. Hopefully the need will never arise.
While we're on the subject of watery things, this picture had me a bit confused until I realised it was the shower.
It's quite large - typical of a good hotel shower - there will be a glass panel fitted, but no door. Due to the length there will just be an opening on the left hand side to walk into. Wide too, so you can do the 'rub-a-dub-dub' without banging your elbows.
This is the place where the sink is going in the bathroom - cable has been chased into the wall for the illumination of the mirror, and for the water heater for the basin:
I note the two sockets, one for the heater and one for the light - presumably these will be fuse holders and not switches, so close to water. The dark patch in the middle will most likely be the switch for the two lights above. All will become clear. The electrician knows what he is doing.
Interestingly, it's worth noting that Portuguese Building Regulations are very stringent and I have no qualms about the efficiency of the wiring or installation of electrical equipment. Regarding the construction, everything is done to much higher specification in the Azores due to the risk of earthquake. It really is belt and braces stuff. Worth noting is the under-stair area as a 'safe-space' - that region is built like a bunker, and if the earth started to move would be the place to head for.
Finally, on this photo blog of the build, I'd like to say a big thank you to the builders who are working hard to make this all come together. And to wish them a very happy Christmas and a great new year.
I don't know this gentleman's name, but will meet him I'm sure, later. Meanwhile, Um feliz natal e um ótimo ano novo. and to this gentleman too:
Is that a box of wine I see on the table? This is why the two gentlemen are so happy in their work perhaps. Lunchtime looks good - I see an empty sardine tin, a bottle of hot pimento sauce, a cup of wine and a colourful plate of food. Brilliant!
To translate, should they be reading this:
Isso é uma caixa de vinho que vejo na mesa? É por isso que os dois cavalheiros são tão felizes em seu trabalho, talvez. A hora do almoço parece boa - vejo uma lata de sardinha vazia, uma garrafa de molho quente de pimenta, uma taça de vinho e um prato colorido de comida. Brilhante!
Thank you all for reading the blog, and a happy Christmas to you all.
Next Up... The Skip of Plenty...
