Renovation time

It is Sunday afternoon here in Virgin Gorda. I woke up to the rare sound of heavy rain beating on our stone patio, the sea was a grey reflection of the dark cloudy skies and a cool wind blew the coconut palms that surround our house. It whistles among those tall floppy branches and competes with the sound of the small waves crashing on our beach. The small waves repeat their journey with a repetitive monotony that soothes your mind, constant and reliable. As I lay in bed I watched a number of yachts sailing across the North Sound knowing the crew would be soaked from the tropical rain but at least not too cold. There is something really special about seeing the ocean from every room, I feel blessed to be here.

It is the first day I had a chance to lie in and rest, the first day in a fortnight without workers coming to continue the renovation of this grand old home or late night phone calls to Australia to sort out my flooded home. Within a week of my departure unusually heavy rains blocked city drains and flowed across my front lawn like a river into my home. Water marks on windows showed it reached 10cm. All my carpets are ruined and have been ripped out. It is getting sorted out but a strain that was not needed, that is for sure!!

I have already been here over two weeks and cannot believe how the time has flown. In choosing to help my father with the upkeep of the house, the task has become larger than expected with some cracked concrete walls that needed jack hammering out and unfortunately revealing corroded electrical wiring. Twelve sections of the concrete roof also need cutting out to repair the leaking downpipes and wood paneling under the eaves replaced. All heavy duty restorations and of course unexpected expense! The evidence of the labour sits in piles of broken rocks and concrete around the house. So before I can concentrate on sanding parquetry, re varnishing floors, furniture and benches, or decorating the basics must be seen to!
I feel rather tired - constant decisions of what to do and overseeing the workers is taxing but this grand ol' lady is worth it. So stately she sits on this small cove overlooking the protected waters of the sound, she deserves all the upkeep to restore her beauty. It will all start up again at 8am tomorrow morning with the electrician!

But for today I am treating myself to do nothing! A group of us were sailing today but I woke feeling like lead and the weather was not conducive to a relaxing day on the water. I am guessing it was canceled. After writing my first post in weeks I will endeavor to do some exercise by either walking up the steep hill behind us or swim my regular pattern around the buoys in front of the house. If I can find the energy I 'may' do both, but doubt it! A little afternoon sun is peeping out from behind the clouds. I hear the sound of another coconut palm thudding on the ground and will drag it over to my collection. Shortly we will have enough to build a palapa on the beach.....
I have had breakfast in bed with a good novel, spoken to my dearest Robert on Skype, indulged in a sleep-in and much needed rest. It is a good day!