The bar is open

25 January 2025

Yesterday was a big high five day…. after the sad goodbye of an another 2 VIPs, the day before. We are down to four and have been on it full pelt.

The bar work has been the priority. So the girls set to work stripping ….. the old garish yellow varnish. Our bingo wings worked to aching point at least one of us was still looking very glamorous to the end and it was not me.

Then we hit the new sander with its first project. The last bits of varnish came up easily and as we revealed the true nature of the wood it seemed to change. Deeper bits or those areas not so exposed to the bleaching of the sun were becoming purple. The more we sanded the more this was obvious. Was it an old stain? Then Brian told us… it’s Purple Heart wood. A hard wood from Guyana. Wow … It’s beautiful.

Then the oiling. There was much discussion about leaving it bare but given the risk of staining from Angostura bitters, an essential rum punch ingredient, we decided to oil it.

The wall aquarium has also been growing.

Meanwhile down by the pool …. The pool changing rooms are having a make over … well I did say we have been working hard. The dirty barge board has been stripped of its staining and water marks, treated and stain blocked. The artists in residence have used our colour matching skills to get to blend into the roof tiles.

The board now blends into the roof tiles instead of drawing your eye to the filth. Hurrah.

RESULT. Much job satisfaction all round. And the rewards … the bar is open!!!