Front of House Start

Thursday 1^st February

After breakfast, J did washing up in shower, which is quite a feat….I’ve only done it once, but one fills up a large bowel from the shower, wash up in the shower area on hands and knees, and rinse with the shower of course, disposing of dirty washing up water down the loo…..not very hygienic I guess, but it works, although it’s a back-breaking job. I decided to change the kitchen around to create a worktop with a builders board on trestles, creating a worktop, which is much better.

I juiced the rest of the oranges which I had bought last week at the market …5kg for 2.50 € which is a lot of oranges. The juice is delicious. Its market day again today, I’m planning to get another 5 kg.

Ricardo arrived at 9 am with Juan and Franchico, and planned to start front of house…..the usual frenetic activity at the start of a piece of work. 1000 kilo of sand arrived, and the cement mixer which has been dormant in the front room for months, was wheeled out into the road.

J had started a wash in the washing machine, using the large bowl to catch the waste water……. Ricardo promised to get the missing part from the Ferreteria.

Ricardo explained to J the work plan for the front of house, and quoted an estimate of 1,300 € , so not too bad.

Juan and Franchico started hacking and drilling off cement from front of house, so we went after the wash had finished.

We walked via market which was just coming to life about 10 am, and walked to see the metalica man, Antonio, who was very helpful and spoke reasonable English, and we got quotes for railings, window grill , and door . Then walked back to house, still noisy, so off to Coin to see Ronny at the 1 stop shop…..it was closed, Parked with difficulty, and found a bar to have a bocadillo mixto and bacon sandwich (J).

Back to house via Metallica but Antonio out to breakfast. Back to market, and bought another 5 kilo of oranges for 2.50 €…..saw them on another stall for 2 € …unbelievable…who makes a profit at those prices ?

Back to house, but still noisy drilling, and decided to go to Fuengirola to look for a second hand electrical store that Brenda had told us about, for a fridge freezer..Popped into metalica on way and saw Antonio, and asked if he could come to house to see if front door could be repaired, and measure up for railings and window. Yes he said @ 4 – 4.30 pm today.

Antonio arrived promptly @ 4 pm and measured up for railings and window (much angst about sawing up old window grill, but in end, J went for a new one fitted by them rather than R.

He spent a lot of time on the front door, and eventually agreed doors could be saved, but needed a new frame (rusty) and some hinges replaced. He can take doors away and make up frame and return in 1 day, but our builder needs to fit in cement, so that needs to be negotiated with Ricardo, who may not be happy we have gone to a metal supplier direct and got quotes and will commission him to do work.

Whilst Antonio was inspecting the door, the dutch lady and her daughter invited us over for coffee after he had gone, so that’s what we did …..took over BBC Spanish lessons book and my laptop to show pics of my birthday and Istanbul, but they were not really interested ……just in family pics…..Ironically they were watching their favourite reality TV programme involving a form of dating game via TV/ and prospective suitors phone in and chat live. Not sure of format after that …..riviting viewing, and a good way to learn Spanish.

We ate out later, and returned home to the car alarm sounding off again, and an irate neighbour ….she told us it had gone off several times all evening. This is new problemo and will have to be sorted out tomorrow at the Opel Garage in Fuengirola.