The Mango House – January 2026

Two years ago Daryl bought a house that was referred to as ‘the pink house’. Well, it may have been pink at one time but was so faded it looked mostly white.

Before anything could be done on the outside, the inside had to be gutted down to the bare walls, actually even inside the walls if you take the electrical and plumbing into consideration. It has definitely been a slow process, made slower by us being in Panama only six months of the year.

By the time we left Panama in the spring of 2024, the security door and windows had been installed. Before installation Daryl painted around all the doors and window. Mango was always going to be the house colour.

This year, mid December, or as soon as the rains stopped, we were scheduled to get the house painted. As is so often the case, things happen. Just before the painters started, we got a leak in the hot water pipe below the ‘on demand hot water’ unit. No small job because the pipes are buried in the concrete walls. Luckily Daryl is pretty handy.

It took a few days and a lot of work to locate and fix the leak. Then it was just a matter of patching and sanding, and the house was ready for painting.

There was one more task that had to be completed. Every seam in the house, both inside and out, was caulked or stuffed with screen to keep the critters out. Geckos are impossible to keep out, although now there are fewer inside, and thankfully no more bats.

The painters were a husband and wife team. A couple of days they had a helper, but mostly just the two of them and they sure worked fast. She cut in and he rolled.

Daryl’s patch job took a few extra coats but turned out perfect.

Just to keep both sides of the house even, a few days after the house was completely painted, we developed a leak on the other side of the house beside the water tank. Daryl got out his trusted tools and started breaking up concrete. He found the leak and fixed it, the patching and painting will come later! And no worries about the lines freezing up!

It has been one big adventure after another. Other than needing a storage shed, a carport, a bohio, and a …… well you know how it goes.

Even with the work we find time to enjoy walking on the beach.

Cheers

Ruth