Just in Time!

As I have mentioned, we are approaching the rainy season and have already experienced some showers but, I am pleased to report that work is being done to provide our house with a roof!!  Just in Time!!  

While the house is readying for the rains we too are creating ditches to direct the flow of water across our driveway and in other places around the finca.  Actually, Don, Roberto and Jeffry are doing the work--I blog!  Go Don!

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Before the metal framework can be created, the correct angles need to be determined and designated.  This job is performed very simply with two men and a piece of string!

One man is at the bottom of where the roof will be and another is at the top of the pitch.

The next step in the process is the arrival of the welder.  Once the pieces of metal have been cut the welder performs his special task completing the shapes of metal structure required to hold the metal roofing material.

These metal structures are then welded to the re-bar protruding from the concrete walls.  This completes a structure that is totally attached.

As you can see, we will have an overhang of almost 1 meter to 

protect the building and us from the elements.

Lots of metal.  They are starting with the roof that covers our bedroom and will next do the Bell Tower.  Last will be the roof covering all the corridor because that space is more complicated.

A view from down below.

Lots of metal!

This day I had company on my walk to the finca.  Olga and her daughter, Yoselin came along to check out the progress on the house, get some exercise, and.....









Eat Mora Berries.  Our two bushes have gone nuts this year and we are enjoying a bumper crop.  Every time we are at the finc we eat 'till full and the next day there are more!  Yummmm!!!  I always forget to bring a container to pick into!  Oh, well, the mouth works quite well!










This shot is the front, view side, of the house with the bigger corridor. You can see where the little rains we've had are creating the path they wish to run.

While the metal work progresses nicely, on another part of the house men are putting up the wood beams that will be visible above the Corridors as well as inside the house.   Because of the possibility of rain, each of the beams has been individually wrapped in plastic to keep them relatively dry.











I would guess figuring out all these angles would be a challenge.  Definitely not my cup of tea.

Here you can see the plastic and another corner!







Just another view from in the living room!

The metal roofing material is attached to the metal structure and things are starting to be covered!

 Looking up the stairs.

The roof is completely covering our Bedroom here.  What you can also see are the two windows that will be on the side of our Terraza off our Bedroom.  These two windows will not only eliminate the feeling of being in a box on our Terraza but will also let natural light into the Living Room.

At present it is difficult to maneuver inside the house because of all the ladders and scaffolding used to construct the roof work on the high walls.

Lots of plastic to cover the wood beams.   Many beams!  Maybe I should count them???

The many beams on the back (North) side Corridor.

Bananas and beams!

As we drive around our finca to reach different sections of the coffee we can see the back side of the house up above the coffee field.

Getting close to finishing the wood beams along this side and preparing to work on the Bell Tower.

This is how it is done!  With a little help from a friend!

The metal roofing sits out of the weather waiting to be put into place.

Beams on the back side.

Looks like a roof and more and more like a house.

One more view showing two master bath windows!

Up close and personal!

Getting close to the end of the wood beams.  

Looking good!

A little different angle from down below.  Lots of coffee!

The roof from the front.  Oh, yes, that is me making sure I watch where I'm going because the place is loaded with obstacles!  And....not only construction obstacles but also large toads and other critters!

A roof for the Bell Tower as seen from the driveway!

As were leaving on Sunday, Maryse shot this photo from the main road zooming in!  Her zoom is much better than mine and I love how it shows the Nicoya Bay and Nicoya Peninsula in the background!  What a view!!

Creating the Bell Tower!

The creation of the Bell Tower is really changing the look of the house!  It all started with a number of boards raised and supported at the angle chosen.

Not only do they start with support boards where the Bell Tower goes up, they also create a wood support system inside.  This support system is not only used for support, but for the men to climb on when needed.

Another view of the structure inside the Bell Tower!

Among the maze of board is the ever present re-bar and tubing required for structural support, wiring and plumbing.

Working from all angles and from every kind of scaffolding the Bell Tower takes shape.

The view of the Bell Tower from the Art/Sewing Room.  Once the roof has been added this view will no longer be possible.

Too close to the wall here to see the Bell Tower, but it gives you a idea how high up it will be!

While some of the men are working on the Bell Tower, others are doing the finish work on the inside and outside walls.  The two
narrow cement "ridges" that you see on the wall are hand made and  used as guides or levels when "screeding" the stucco or cement  on walls to make them perfectly level and true.

Here you can see one of the "ridges" (center of pix) up close.

On the left you can see the beginnings of a finished wall.  There is still much to do!

This photo is a overview of the Styrofoam in the ceiling, the arch into the Kitchen, the very tall scaffolding and wood placed inside for protection because of the eminent rainy season.

Although the "ridges" are still somewhat visible, this wall has completed the first step with other finer steps to come.

Where are we here?  We are looking up at the second floor from the Living Room.  To the left you can see the stairs and the upper right is where the Terrasa is located off the Master Bedroom.

Now that we are entering the rainy season you will notice the black plastic used to keep things covered. Instead of sunshine, at times, work is done in a fog or clouds.

Next the support boards are covered with large boards inside and out to create a cavity in which to pour the cement.

Although we are experiencing more clouds and showers, we still have lots of sun.  The mornings are beautiful and most days it doesn't even rain--so far!  Here they are making the two windows which will be on the sides of the Bell Tower.

The windows are more visible here and have, since this picture, been reduced in size a bit.

Almost done and ready to pour the concrete!!

And the finishing work goes on and will continue until construction is completed!

It seems everyone gets to help on this part of the project.

As I have mentioned before, our house is very visible from the main road.  Now that the Bell Tower has risen it is quite a site to see!  Believe me it is missed by few!

Sweeping, cleaning and organizing are a constant on the job site. Items arrive and are used and other things take their place like a revolving door. 

And...the Bodega is still with us, in case you were wondering!

A small taste of the dark skies that are starting to roll in through out the afternoons.

Ready for concrete!

The Bell Tower is visible also from the front of the house, but not sure what we will see once the roof has been added.

Our house is so long that it takes three photos to show all of it from front to back.  This is number 1 and includes the Bell Tower, Kitchen, Dining Room, Entry, Master Bedroom and part of the Art/Sewing Room.

The 2nd photo includes all of the Art/Sewing Room, Bell Tower, Entry and bits of the Master Bedroom and Kitchen.

Last but not least, the 3rd photo shows the Guest Bedroom and Bath Room and the Laundry Room behind the Bodega!

One last view of the incoming clouds from the far side Corridor.