Don't give this pool boy a machete!

Today my resident pool boy, Greg, practised some new skills at our current home.

Clearing back the trunk of one of the larger palm tress

After getting some instruction from the homeowner, Greg pruned the palm trees of their winter damage. Living in Canada, there's not much call for knowing how to care for palm trees. I focussed on the ground cover plants and bushes, doing similar work. With the homeowner's approval, Greg also burned what had been removed.

Using those same pieces to fan the fire

Here's how the smaller palms looked when we were last here in February.

Here Greg''s vacuuming the pool ...

So, everything's greened up noticeably since our earlier visit. Today that same cluster of small palms and shrubs (photo taken from the other direction) also had a haircut.

And the pool boy? Yep, he was back in again!

... and here he's brushing the pool walls. Good job Greg!

Yesterday the pool water was 70 degrees, and today it's up to 74. Greg went in both days, but it's still way too cool for me. So far, I've put my foot in and that's about it!