[JUL2016] I can’t say that many guests, whether paying AirBnB guests or friends & family, use the sauna. The high heat and humidity isn’t to everyone’s taste, though there are many health benefits to be had (see below) for body and soul. Another reason, methinks, could be that the sauna and outdoor shower was exposed to the view of the house!! My Scandinavian genes are not particularly modest with such things but for someone new to the place it sure might make it less appealing LOL.

So I finally got on to that one, made a design, and down the road to Zook’s Amish lumber mill for a load of rough-cut cedar. Two half-days of work, a tiny dose of swearing whilst trying to make it all fit, and voila a lovely privacy wall built around the shower tower. I integrated the stained glass panel, which used to hang from the tower, to bring in some light. And, as an added bonus, when the wall is damp the cedar smells divine! In coming weeks, I will add decking and a ceiling to form a small change area to hang clothes.

From finnleo.com, top 10 sauna benefits:
1. Saunas relieve stress.
2. Saunas relax muscles and soothe aches/pains in both muscles and joints.
3. Saunas flush toxins.
4. Saunas cleanse the skin.
5. Saunas can induce a deeper sleep.
6. Saunas bring about recreational and social benefits.
7. Saunas improve cardiovascular performance.
8. Saunas burn calories.
9. Saunas can help fight illness.
10. Saunas just feel good.

I hope guests will appreciate the fence but the biggest improvement of all, from my perspective, is that I finally got rid of the crappy handheld shower head in favour of a fixed sunflower-style one. I also raised the barrel 18″ and modified the output in order to increase flow. It’s still not as much water pressure as in a house but it offers way better coverage either when doing a sauna rinse or a refreshing cool-off on a hot summer day.