Beach trip plus!

Its been a while since our last post. Time flies in paradise!
We've been staying busy. The new Casita is coming along nicely, looking beautiful on the hillside. The fish are fat and healthy , and the farm is growing as well.
Since our last blog, we have integrated the 'Sacrificial Pond' which we hadn't used for anything other than overflow, into our staging pond- complete with electric fence and a new canal feeding it.
The fish in this pond are in waiting to move to the Casita pond, when they're full sized. This gives Hush Valley seven fully operational and active ponds, as well as a small 'ladies in waiting' pond, where our hens that are ready to release eggs are held.

We have had several visits by some new clients who are learning the fish business, with the intent to sell Hush Valley trout in the San Jose, Heredia area.  They have hand caught each fish so far- several dozen kilos worth, and were given a comprehensive tutorial by Martin on how to clean and filet trout.  It never feels like work when you love what you do. 

While our guests were fishing, we were visited by another guest. A Coati! This is a member of the raccoon family. They look similar, but are the size of a small black lab.  We have seen a Coati two other times at Hush Valley- this time, it was spotted in among the bulls grazing in the pasture, mid day.  Wildlife is always a welcome surprise. 

Its the beginning of a rainy season now, and the orchards and gardens are full of fruits and vegetables , which naturally draws multiple different species of birds. If we can get to the peaches prior to the lovely creatures, they are pretty delicious! Check out these avocados and peaches picked on this mornings walk to school.

It hasn't been all work though, on Sunday we took the bus with a group of friends to the beach at Manuel Antonio. It was beautiful! Round trip on the bus, with a stop for breakfast and dinner, it was 8000 Colones- that's equivalent to $14.25 .
In the States it was Mothers Day, but in Costa Rica Mothers Day is celebrated in August. This bus full of locals was still in the mood for celebrating though, even with an impressive mid-afternoon thunderstorm- a good time was had by all.

Its back to work for us though, we have guests arriving Saturday, as well as a school sponsored BINGO fundraiser at the local community center. There will be a raffle basket that includes all local foods; cheese, plums, peaches, apples, avocado, apple cider vinegar, papaya, hot sauce, jam, pastries and Hush Valley smoked trout. Should be a good time!