Last week we decided to sell our old Bettys to our neighbour. They provided us with over two years worth of eggs, but they were slowing down. Eleven hens were producing two to five eggs a day. Our neighbour will keep them until they no longer lay eggs and then will eat them.

The next day, we went into Santa Maria to pick up fifteen young hens. In the past when the hens settle in, it takes approximately two to three weeks for them to start laying eggs. This time however, they started laying the day we brought them home. Wednesday: 5, Thursday: 7, Friday: 8, Saturday: 9 and today: 10! They eggs are tiny... like mini eggs, but the shells are strong and smooth. In a few weeks, we should be in full production with regular sized eggs. We're very happy. (I took pictures of the new Bettys, but the files seem to be corrupted so I could not download them.)

More bird news... I spotted a black guan on a river rock. They are a large turkey-type bird, usually in pairs. Kevin and I have seen them a few times in the last weeks, but I never have my camera to take a picture. This time I was going on a hike and brought my camera...

And then later, I captured this beautiful hummingbird perched on a aloe vera branch. These are aloe vera flowers... watching hummingbirds flit around, hover and drink the nectar is still one of my favourite pastimes...

Thursday was a big day for our little Frankie... she turned 11. And tomorrow, Bobbie McGee turns two. Well, we don't actually know when her birthday is exactly. The vet told us she was about two and a half months when she landed on our back door in mid October. So, we simply guessed and picked a date.

Frankie is getting older, we can see it more and more. She's getting more grey and is definitely slowing down. And Bobbie is also growing up... she's mellowing a bit. She is much calmer and doesn't bother Frankie as much. I think she's finally figured out that Frankie just doesn't want to play.

 The bridge is coming along nicely. The concrete slabs look solid. We're told it should be complete in two or three weeks. The community is pleased that this bridge is finally being built, but it's also looking forward to having it all finished and having the mess cleaned up.

Not much happened last week. The weather has cleared and we've had much less rain, which is nice. Roberto, and his wife Adriana, were away on holiday for the last two weeks so we've not been fishing while they've been away. They're back now, so our normal fishing schedule will resume this week. Martin ran out of fish at his restaurant twice, so he's been buying fish from us as well. We'll be buying another 1,500 more baby trout this week. Our system seems to be working.

The sad news of the week is that one of our hens died. There was no indication this Betty was sick other than for a couple of days her back end was dragging as though her legs couldn't support her. Then the day before died, she just found a nook under the ramp leading from the coop to the outside pen and nestled... I guess just finding a little peace and quiet. We have no idea what caused her demise, but it doesn't appear to be any kind of virus or infection. All the other Bettys appear to be healthy. So, now there are eleven. It's sad, but nature has a way of taking its course. It gives... and it takes away. And so it goes.

"Little summer" has arrived. Half way through the week, the winds picked up and blew the clouds away. Well, for the most part. The sun has come out and we're soaking it up. It's been raining later in the evening, but we're enjoying blue skies during the day.

A little update on the bridge. Progress is slow, but they seem to be working hard every day and getting things done.

For all of you who have visited Hush Valley Lodge, I'll try to explain what you're actually seeing in the picture below. For those who have never been (yet), none of this will matter much, so indulge me, please.

This picture is taken from the road leading up to our driveway. If you turn right, you'll be heading towards Trinidad. If you turn a sharp left, that's where the man-made dirt bridge is located. On the other side of the river where the yellow digger is resting on the edge of the bank is the road that leads to Copey. And that building is Martin's restaurant.

In other news... you know how some women wear yoga pants as active wear... it makes some of us feel like maybe by just wearing them, they will inspire the action of 'doing' yoga... but who are we kidding?

Well, since it was so beautiful outside last Wednesday, I decided to get my yoga mat out and do a bit of stretching (I couldn't even be bothered to change into my yoga pants). Within minutes, Bobbie McGee was licking my face and lying on my mat. I thought maybe if I just cuddle with her for a little while, she would calm down and stop distracting me. Oh, she stopped distracting me alright... I fell soundly asleep! And my dear Kevin snapped this picture of me slacking off. Needless to say, no stretching happened on that mat that day.

We hosted guests from Utah this week. Erika and Cason booked their stay with us last June. They got married in Tamarindo, on the northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica on June 27th and wanted an out-of-the-way place for their honeymoon. And they found us. They arrived on Tuesday and stayed three nights, left on Friday.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't the most cooperative as it rained quite a lot while they were here. It happens. They didn't seem to mind though. Cason said it was a refreshing reprieve from the intense heat from the coast, so I guess there is always a silver lining.

Here they are catching their dinner (and ours)...

Yesterday, we quietly celebrated Kevin's birthday (my favourite day of the year!). He's finally 51 like me. It was overcast and grim. Kevin's gift to himself was staying in all day and watching soccer. That pleased him very much (whatever floats your boat, baby!). He didn't even want to go out for dinner, so I made homemade pizza. I turned down the lights, added a few candles, sang "Happy Birthday", and he blew the candles out. Here's to another great year ahead!