IMG_1106_for_web - 18Dec09: Matthew Martin began work about a month earlier. There had been bare ground in front of the yellow existing building, so he'd poured footings and a slab and columns.

IMG_1108 - 19Dec08: The plywood-covered section will be over our garage and laundry drying area/apartment north veranda.

IMG_1112 - 20Dec08: The plywood form for our veranda landing goes on to the right. You can also see beam re-bar.

IMG_1113 - 21Dec08 (Midwinter's day): Neat re-bar work in the section being added.

IMG_1115 - 23Dec08: The re-bar work becomes a strong grid.

IMG_1118 - 24Dec08 (Christmas Eve day): Steve (left) and Miguel (Matthew's son) ensure everything is wet for good adhesion before the concrete pour. Note the electrical conduits that will be embedded.

IMG_1116 - 24Dec08 (Christmas Eve day): Heavy re-bar will join the steps to the landing.

IMG_1121 - 25Dec08 (Christmas day): The pour done the day before is complete and will start to dry over a 10-day holiday break. You can glimpse part of our view of the Atlantic with Marie-Gallant on the horizon.

IMG_1125 - 25Dec08 (Christmas day): Ruth inspects the pour and approves.

IMG_1159 - 5Jan09: Back to work. Every block, bucket of sand or stone and bag of cement was hauled up by muscle-power.

IMG_1162 - 5Jan09: Over the break Matthew and I "profiled" the villa. That's the wooden corner supports for lines we strung as guides for the block walls.

IMG_1163 - 5Jan09: John, Steve & Miguel (l to r) mix mortar to lay blocks for the walls.

IMG_1164 - 5Jan09: Matthew is in charge, but works alongside his men.

IMG_1166 - 5Jan09: Robertson (foreground) is the expert mason.

IMG_1170 - 5Jan09: It's a start...