 Mango Lodge - finished for now... |
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Mango Lodge - finished for now...
Central America Caribbean » Dominica » Toucarie
February 22nd 2009 by Kate and Andy wandering, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies
Sunday
This morning it is so lovely to wake up with the sound of the sea washing on the shore and the birds singing in the trees. No sounds of drills or hammers and no tools or paint pots in sight. In the next few days we can enjoy Carnival and maybe do a bit of reading and painting (arty type stuff), and snorkel and hang out on the beach.
We are now officially finished on the house for this year and really really pleased with the results. All the rooms have had a full on Thorley tart up treatment. The only room we did a ‘temporary fix’ on was the kitchen and even that looks good.
Some interesting stats of what was used to renovate the house
300 linear ft of structural pine (4x2)
1000 sq ft of plywood
700 linear ft of decorative pine
29 gallons of paint/varnish
13 paintbrushes
3 interior doors
41 boxes of tiles
14 hand made shutters - each made up of 80 separate pieces of hardwood.
11 Louvre doors - each made up of 66 separate pieces of hardwood
... and it only took 4 months!
Son has done a great job in the garden. He topped the really high trees so that we now have fantastic views of the Caribbean sea from the front, and from the side of the house. The garden is brighter and more manageable and split into areas, a grass lawn area, a fruit tree area, a flower garden and a kitchen garden plus 2 beautiful pathways meandering through the trees - one from the road coming down to the house and one from the house going down to the bay. Andy made and hung a Mango Lodge sign at the entrance just to top it off.
The Hot shower
Well Kate waited from 2nd November till 16th February very patiently but it was well worth the wait. The bathroom looks like a posh hotel and to celebrate the first hot shower we opened a bottle of sparkly, and even used our new cream fluffy towels, (which had been packed away during building site mode). Wow!!
The furniture is now in pride of place in the lounge and looks right. The cushion covers were made by a local girl who managed to put the zips on the front instead of the back, but we have just turned them around and lived with it. Hey ho!
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February 23rd 2009 - Valerie: Well done guys!
With views and rooms like that, do you realise how many guests are going to invite themselves now? Well done - you've done a splendid job..... we'll see it one day hopefully :) x x
February 25th 2009 - Ann Dougherty: Great Job!
Been reading with interest your progress on the house. What a difference you have made. Dominica can be tough on new residents (and old) to get the motivation going with their limited resources. My sister in law lives on the other side of the island, if you ever run into her shopping, etc. Carol Bunting (ex-pat). I was born on Dominica, but have lived in the States most of my life, and am now in the Orlando area. If you're ever here, look me up.
Ann
June 19th 2009 - Gerry Whitehead: Well Done
Hi Kate & Andy Been reading your blog.Tremendous stuff.Mango Lodge looks lovely & I was laughing at you both with all the local population & how easy they are to get on with.I first went to Dominica Jan.1961 & had a run ashore in Roseau
& have been many time since.I mentioned to Kate recently,when I went to see A.Rene, we are going to Dominica again next year as tourists and staying at the Fort Young Hotel in Roseau fot 4 Nights having been to Antigua & then leaving for Grenada & then Barbados.We arrive Dominica 28.01.10 and leave 01.02.2010 & will hire a car whilst we are there so mayby we could get together during our stay. As I said Mango Lodge looks wonderful & even better with a Mount Gay & Coconut Water Love Gerry W.
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Part of trip: Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies
3 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
February 23rd 2009 - Valerie: Well done guys!
With views and rooms like that, do you realise how many guests are going to invite themselves now? Well done - you've done a splendid job..... we'll see it one day hopefully :) x x
February 25th 2009 - Ann Dougherty: Great Job!
Been reading with interest your progress on the house. What a difference you have made. Dominica can be tough on new residents (and old) to get the motivation going with their limited resources. My sister in law lives on the other side of the island, if you ever run into her shopping, etc. Carol Bunting (ex-pat). I was born on Dominica, but have lived in the States most of my life, and am now in the Orlando area. If you're ever here, look me up.
Ann
June 19th 2009 - Gerry Whitehead: Well Done
Hi Kate & Andy Been reading your blog.Tremendous stuff.Mango Lodge looks lovely & I was laughing at you both with all the local population & how easy they are to get on with.I first went to Dominica Jan.1961 & had a run ashore in Roseau
& have been many time since.I mentioned to Kate recently,when I went to see A.Rene, we are going to Dominica again next year as tourists and staying at the Fort Young Hotel in Roseau fot 4 Nights having been to Antigua & then leaving for Grenada & then Barbados.We arrive Dominica 28.01.10 and leave 01.02.2010 & will hire a car whilst we are there so mayby we could get together during our stay. As I said Mango Lodge looks wonderful & even better with a Mount Gay & Coconut Water Love Gerry W.
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