We started off by viewing the traditional fireworks from 2 towns + Faro city, simultaneously! We could see all 3 from where we where in Olhao, a nearby coastal town with a nice marina and seaside market.
For Christmas Sylvie and I had a quiet romantic candle lit disco evening. Most of which we spent wondering if we would have a shower or not, to get dressed up, to have our long prepared meal.
I guess everybody in the neighbourhood from here to Berlin where having similar plans (to varying degrees) because the electricity was going off every 10 minutes. Thing is, we could never be sure if we popped a circuit breaker of if it was the supplier. We have fuse boxes scattered all over the property, When it was built they started by doing the cottage, then the villa. So the main box is at the cottage, then to villa. So even if all breakers seem fine at the villa, we still must go to the cottage to see that box too. All fine on our side, must be too many people cooking. So we lit candles.
And then the disco started. As soon as we had about 20 candles lit the lights turned back on and we contemplated cooking our meal quickly and maybe having a shower while we had hot water. So we blew out the candles.
Then the lights when out. And so on and so on in cycles. But we kept the candles lit and we managed to shower and dress and by the end of the evening the power was back on and stable and we had a fine evening together in the middle of our dream under construction. My headheld led flash lite never far.
Speaking of which, we've installed motion detecting leds along the pathways we use most. And the idea is to put some all around and in the apartments. Easier, faster and safer than lighting candles when the power goes out. We are betting it does go out because there are emergency candles everywhere.
Speaking of which, we are scheduled to open for guests on 1st of April. Emergencies abound, but well on track to accomplish. So far we have great relations with all the people working around the villa and for the main part they are here from 8 to 5 Monday to Saturday. Great crew. Also means we get woken up early each day... no matter what. But it's worth it. Really nice to be on site to constantly see things evolve.
Speaking of which, this place has a huge garden with ever evolving plants, trees, flowers, and weeds. Sylvie and I spent a few of the nicer days last week getting out head and hands around lets say, a few areas. Each day we rip out a 1 meter high pile about 4 meters in diameter of dead branches and thorny weeds that burn for days. She spent another few days helping out the gardener rip out more, while I don't remember what I was doing :-) But I wasn't sleeping.
Speaking of which there are 12 single beds, 5 sofas, 4 club chairs that where included with the villa but that we have replaced new. That's a lot of furniture to sell or move or store. So we decided to give it to a cause and Sylvie has started reaching out to community coordinators to see if these could help anyone in need. Specially after the deadly fires of last year Maybe equip a social center or firehouse?
Speaking of which, that 1 ton of fire wood we got just before Christmas, it's gone. It's cold out here. Don't laugh. It can be 20 in the sunshine for a few hours, but 7 or even 5 overnight. And we have no heating. In the Algarve people worry more about air conditioning. The winter may be short and warmer than in the north, it's still cold to live in in winter. On the bright side the days are already getting longer and we have flower buds everywhere and we are getting the rain we need. A few hours at a time. We can live with that.
But we need another ton of wood. I pull out the business card given to me by Paulo at the cafe last time and call up the wood man. I tried my best to express my request. He said something of which I only understood 'estrangeiro' before he hung up on me. So Sylvie gave it a shot. Wood was delivered less than an hour later. Her Portuguese is clearly better. And the house is warmer.
Speaking of which, we wish to express a warm thank you and welcome to a few people we hope will be reading this post. A couple who will for ever be famously known as Monte Bougainvillea's first reservation and a gang of 4 girls given us our first fully paid booking via Paypal. You recognize yourselves? Thank you :-) We really look forward to meeting you.
Speaking of which. we look forward to opening in less than 80 days now. Our Website is up and running and open for bookings. We can now accept credit cards via Pay pal as well as bank transfers. So we need to get the renovations in full mode. While the bathroom and apartment configurations get finalized we will start painting the rooms.
Speaking of which, we need to get bookings.
If you have read so far, thank you! Maybe we can push our luck by asking you to help us get known by sharing our links. Visit us, like us. Share us. Visit our website, follow us on Facebook and remember: The best way to like is to Share!
Better still, book now and come share it with us.
Best wishes to everyone.
Sylvie & jc
Monte Bougainvillea Tel +351 289 011 174 531a Cerro Manuel Viegas 8005-437 Azinheiro, Faro, Portugal 37°06'55.2"N 7°51'10.8"W 37.115335, -7.852991 Mobiles +351 925 249 497 or 564 info@monte-bougainvillea.com www.monte-bougainvillea.com www.facebook.com/MonteBougainvillea/ Boas-Noites, Lda 60477/AL NIF 514 579 340
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