Today was Arnoud’s last day here: he has been helping out this week and without him I probably would still have only cold water and no fully functional bathroom. Although a lot of the work he did was under the floor, it is essential to getting a whole new level of comfort. Besides his useful engineering approach it was a fun week, starting of with watching Max Verstappen finishing third at the Grand Prix at Austin. The help of friends like Arnoud and Mart last March only adds to the fun I have creating Ozuye Lodge.

As soon as the 3/4 floor was put in, it was clear the center beam had to be supported, as it would bend if you walk on the second floor. Up until now this was done with the all American foundation called 2×4. But with the tree that was unrooted during construction, I knew this would make a fitting support tree.

So after cutting it with laser precision, the tree was lifted and put into place.

It has a perfect spot for a beer and my hat.

Last April Mart & Jan-Christian gave me this cool name sign.

Today it was mounted so now it is officially baptized as Ozuye Lodge.

Today Arnoud and myself worked on the left gable end siding. We stopped here as it was getting hot with the sun burning down. Most of the afternoon we spent on getting equipment and materials.

Like this sliding Beveled miter saw and a tile saw I did not even unpack yet. This one will cut the boards around the windows, at a perfect 45 degrees angle.

If you’re Dutch, you will know that Harry Nak has an antenna on his Dak, which is Dutch for roof. This antenna is for the 4G LTE internet router. Currently it is not yet set up, so internet is arranged through the router’s small antennas.

Although framing shows where walls will be, it does not offer much privacy. Today, Arnoud and myself have placed the walls for the bathroom.

It makes the posts stand out much more. The walls will not remain this color; this is the mold proof sheet rock which comes in green/blue like this. The floor currently is cement board, and will be tiled later.

… but look at the size of this one: 😜

This tree that was half un rooted during construction will soon be the support post for the second floor, replacing a 2×4

Up until today, the only water was outside the home. As of today, a new trench takes the PVC to PEX pipe,
which is frost proof, and hooks up inside to the water heater. No more hauling buckets of water inside.

Granted that Walls, floor tiles and proper lighting would help the picture,
functionally, the tub has become operational today.
Arnoud is enjoying a bath right this minute an is rating it 5 stars.
I placed Hardie Backer Cement Board on the floor, which will be the base for tiles.
Besides the tub and shower, the toilet is now also fully hooked up,
enabling flushing without having to get a bucket of flushing water from outside.
The joy of luxury is coming closer and closer.

One thing most of us take for granted is hot water. In the US, this is supplies by a water heater,
which is electric. Arnoud has experience with Plumbing so he did most of the work to get this one installed.

This water heater is connected using PEX tubing and currently runs at 110V.
As soon as I have found an electician that can hook up the panel box, the water heater can be connected using 240V,
which means it will heat up quicker. All connections to and from this water heater are made with a PEX plier,
that crimps a metal ring around the connection to make it water tight.