It all sounds wonderful mrsD, and I'm another who'll look forward to seeing your photos.

I used to do something similar many years ago when we owned a holiday home on the beach. We'd pack up and move there in December, and not go back home until the end of February or the beginning of March. It was so relaxing and also a good way to "recharge our batteries". You have to remember that our seasons are opposite to your's, so those are our summer months.

Some people here use gas in their holiday homes for refridgeration and cooking, although they're in the minority. If electricity isn't available for some reason, they use generators to make their own. Do you have one of those as well for your lighting, etc? Sorry if I'm being nosey, but.......