Sunday 3 June

I am now adjusting back to life as normal here at Mount Carmel.  I got back on Friday from the Daintree.  Just being in the rainforest was an extraordinarily rich experience.  As was snorkling on the reef and jungle surfing.

Now that I am back it is clear the priory has moved ahead in a number of ways.  First off the walkway to the priory from the chapel is now complete.

Priory walkway from the chapel

As the walkway comes behind the chapel its shape changes.  What is impressive about this is that it does not intrude on the view from the large chapel windows.  The chapel is now clearly the linchpin of the site with the retreat centre to one side, the old novitiate to the other side and the priory behind.

Covered walkway behind the chapel

Priory and chapel are linked

Some parts of the building look more or less finished while in other there is still work going on.  In the view below you can see that the workers sheds have moved across the road from the site.

Fountain in the foreground while work continues behind

The dining room and kitchen are now almost complete.

The dining room

The washing up are of the kitchen

Food preparation and cooking area

Here is a photo of a bedroom.  I took it a while ago but mislaid it.  Four bedrooms are now complete, the guest room is almost finished.

Bedroom with a view

Between the bedroom are rainwater tanks which collect rain from the roof.  This water is then to be used for watering the gardens.  One of the things that has marked this project has been the pride the builders take in their work.  I was pleased to see the comment from the team that designed the water tanks in my last post.  There is a very large underground tank as well from which water is harvest for toilet flushing.

Water tanks and bedrooms

The common room has a lovely view south.  On the north side of the corridor is a sheltered sitting area.  Someone has already placed a seat there.  Beyond you can see the steel framework for the completed building.

A quiet place to sit

Before I left the red spire pear tree in the courtyard was still green but now it has autumn colour.  We look forward to the white flowers in Spring.

Courtyard with red spire pear tree

Our walk through the priory has brought us to the entrance where the lights are now in.  It is a generous and welcoming space.  One of the delights of the building is the number of views over the property.  Every window has a view.  In the photo below you can see the trees in the distance.  In a couple of weeks the entry will be complete when the stone floor is installed.

Entry foyer looking out