Tag Archives: Rain

Belize, Farming, Plants

Catching Up.

Munchkin.FroggieWe have only written three posts in the last month so I am using this post as an opportunity to catch up.  We have actually had very hot and dry weather for about 10 days with no rains until today actually.  In the last 3 to 4 days we had to go on “red alert” as the water supplies were going down fast.   This meant bucket washes (no long showers) and hand-washing clothes. The well-pump still has not been fixed yet but Gnome has a plan to use compressed air to pump the water up to the surface…all we need is a compressor.

I have heard the frogs ribbitting on for rain and we have even joined them in their gloriously orchestrated croaking.  The grey clouds are gathering above our house as we speak! Let us continue Ribbitting!! We are down to half a 550 gallon tank of water and we need two 550 gallon tanks totally filled up.  When we are on “red alert” a lot of activities are postponed including soap-making…this requires a lot of water for washing up and cleaning of big pots, buckets and utensils.

I will leave you with some pictures from The Spice Farms which is situated in Golden Stream in Toledo, on the Southern Highway of Belize.  The place is owned by another fellow medical doctor (anaesthetist) from the United States, formerly from Kerala, India.  Being Doctors/ Wannabee Farmers together, Dr. Mathew was nice enough to give us a guided tour of his establishment last week.  Lots of vanilla, black-pepper, cinnamon and other spice plants to see.

Spice Farm Coconut Lane.
Spice Farm Coconut Lane.
Spice Farm Vanilla Orchard.
Spice Farm Vanilla Orchard.
Spice Farm Lotus Plants.
Spice Farm Lotus Plants.

Have a good night!!  Let’s hope for a massive downpour tonight!!

Amusing, Belize

Some Cotton Tree Lodge Pictures.

Munchkin.with.UmbrellaIt’s a Saturday night so I am sure you are all out having fun!!  A few days ago, I mentioned that we visited a friend at Cotton Tree Lodge.  Here are a few pictures.

It has been wet wet wet from the rains so the roads are very muddy:

Mud Everywhere.
Mud Everywhere.

Oh look…a Gnome was spotted at Cotton Tree Lodge.  A tall specimen…I think the latin name is Gnomo gigantius.

A.Gnome.at.Cotton.TreeThis was the Maya Mountain Cacao house where chocolate beans were fermented and processed.  They have recently moved their operation to “the dump” which is a place commonly so-called with no sign of a dump.  It is just about 10 miles down the highway from the Barranco turn off.

Cacao House. Abandoned.
Cacao House. Abandoned.

Hope you all having a Fun Saturday Night!!

Belize, Energy Saving, Farming, Saving Money

Positive Sod’s Law!

Jumping.Munchkin Gnome’s last words before he went to sleep last night were, ” I intend to work all day tomorrow.”

Activation: Positive Sod's Law.
Activation Sequence: Positive Sod’s Law.

And sure enough, it poured down today so no outside activity was possible.  In a funny sort of way, we were trying out a new technique which we have coined “Positive Sod’s Law.”  This utilises a statement of intention, the Sod’s Law principle and the fact that the final result is what you inadvertently wanted but managed to get through the convoluted channel of a “Sod.”

Anyway, since the well-pump has “done broke” as they would say here in Belize, we have been on water conservation “red alert.”  This simply means that we are on bucket washes.

On a typical “Red Alert Day” we use the following amounts of water:

1) Bucket washes limited to 3 x day each; 30 gallons in total (120 litres).

2)  Washing Clothes; 20 gallons (80 litres).

3)  Washing dishes; 10 gallons (40 litres).

4)  Water for consumption; 5 gallons (20 litres).

5)  Miscellaneous; 5 gallons (20 litres).

Total water used up in one day is 70 gallons (about 280 litres as an over estimation).

We have two rain water tanks that store 660 gallons so that each tank gives us about 8 to 9 days of water.  This means, we can last about 2 weeks of dry weather before we start on the “Positive Sod’s Law” technique.  This is assuming that we get our water tanks filled right up to the top after each rain…this is not usually the case…more the case of one full tank.

Anyway, it rained lots today and the distant rumbling of thunder, grey clouds and flood flies indicate that there is more to come.

Flood Flies.
Flood Flies.

We are anticipating the invasion of the termite queens (the nuptial flight) in the house so we are getting ready for an early night.  This equates to a mass of crawling termites and wings a-plenty.  Just another Manic Monday!!