![\"Dilek](\"https:\/\/www.ioniaguesthouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/jan-1.jpg\")
<\/a>Dilek national park, just opposite the Greek island of Samos.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lifeguard’s tower at the beach.<\/p><\/div>\n
The foundations are done, and the pool is done except for being cleaned out and filled up. \u00a0It’s really the final few things now before timber framing starts in earnest (yes, I know I said that last time). \u00a0We’re just sorting out some drainage issues (e.g., where should all the rainwater go when there’s a big downpour?) and getting power and phone connections up to the slabs.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Sirem talks to the builder. That blank wall supports a big terrace area next to the pool, and the dark doorway on the left is the way into the machine room where the pool filter and pump live.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Pool on a much greyer day, showing the surrounding terrace and the view. \u00a0Right now it’s an infinity pool, but we will partly spoil that by putting a building in the way.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The dogs check out the new tiles.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Pool is done but needs a good clean.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Services all going into one big trench.<\/p><\/div>\n
Another in-progress job is sorting out a retaining wall for the bank of earth on the left side of the driveway.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Concrete laid on the side of the driveway, forming both a base for a stone retaining wall and a storm-water drain channel.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>34 tons of rocks to make a wall. \u00a0We have to do it now, too, or we can’t get up the driveway.<\/p><\/div>\n
What else? \u00a0We’ve had a re-think about the order in which to build everything: the new plan is to start at the bottom of the hill and work up. \u00a0So the first building will be the biggest one: the cafeteria and kitchen along with rooms one and two. \u00a0We figure this will make it possible to open for business before all three buildings are finished. \u00a0We can do the landscaping as we work our way up the hill, and use some kind of screen to hide the active construction from our first guests. \u00a0 With luck, we could have people staying for real by late summer.<\/p>\n
With that in mind, this is the view you would get if you walked out onto the verandah of room one.<\/p>\n
<\/a>View looking out over the neighbouring olive groves.<\/p><\/div>\n
Our little menagerie keeps us as busy as ever.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Front to back: Coco, Panini, and Pablo.<\/p><\/div>\n
We had a big scare recently when Pablo, the black-and-white kitten, tried to poison himself by eating an especially dodgy mouse, but thankfully he pulled through. \u00a0Lost a bit of weight though. \u00a0This is him milking his illness for all it was worth.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Pablo convalescing.<\/p><\/div>\n
And in our animals’ defence, they do try to be helpful when we’re working on the site. \u00a0Zeli? and Zeytin in particular are very sociable and like to park themselves in a comfortable patch of dirt and watch people work.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Zeli? notices something alarming.<\/p><\/div>\n
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I’ve been pushing my welding skills a bit further. \u00a0The power to join two arbitrary bits of steel together has opened up lots of possibilities for future interior and exterior decor. \u00a0Here’s a simple little practice project I did last week…<\/p>\n
<\/a>Over-sized coat hook set (welded steel attached to wooden board).<\/p><\/div>\n
I also started work on a metal security door for the pool’s machine room, but our plumber, Koray, took pity on my amateur skill level and offered to help out. \u00a0I say “offered to help out” but really it was more along the lines of “what are you doing?! you’re ruining it! \u00a0give me that!” \u00a0Great guy though, and helping him build the door has been very educational.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Koray in action, welding a steel door and frame.<\/p><\/div>\n
The barn has been cleaned up a bit and features a new home-made workbench. \u00a0The size and weight of the thing are probably overkill but I needed something heavy and solid to attach a vice to.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The barn looking as neat as it’s ever likely to.<\/p><\/div>\n
Seeing as I am about to become a very busy carpenter, I also put together a handy little drill storage board, as suggested by a friend (thanks, John). \u00a0Getting a photo of it proved to be a bit trickier than expected though.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Panini, do you mind? I was trying to take a picture of that thing behind you.<\/p><\/div>\n