free sample

It's simple to be happy but it's hard to be simple.

Try the Ministry of Public Health at Nonthaburi, be sure to emphasise the respiratory symptoms. You'll have to google the contact details. I don't know if they are "bigger" than the "big police" but I'd be interested to know the outcome if you go ahead.

I'm in a similar position except I am selling my house. The inland revenue have a branch that deals with overseas residents. You need to go here:

www.hmrc.gov.uk/nonresidents

If you qualify as a non-resident you are taxed in your country of domicile, i.e. no more UK tax. My reading of this is that you need to be in LOS on a non-immigrant B with a work permit or on a retirement visa. I don't think a multi entry tourist visa will cut the mustard. Happy to be corrected if anyone here has experience to the contrary.

Like other posters have said, don't work in LOS illegaly if you plan to stay awhile.

And if you plan to stay permanently, don't forget the immoral policy of the UK govt in the payment of pensions to overseas residents.

UK posters on tv seem to get by in retirement, I'd be interested in some of their stories.

Like a lot of other posters I was heavily influenced by Castenada's books in my rather wayward youth. And by the way I'm not convinced he was a fraud - a pure BS merchant couldn't have come up with some of that stuff.

The most influential book I have read is Zen and the Art of Archery by Eugene Herigel. It's a short book, it can easily be read in a day and I'm a slow reader. The trick is to read it without reading it so to speak. I'm still working on that but I might get there one day.

Nice thread but seems to have gone way off topic. What an amazing store of creative genius we have at our fingertips from those who have passed on. And I don’t just mean classical, Hendrix and Coltrane are still with us too, not to mention other art forms.

A classical top 10 is difficult because some pieces are epic and some are short. I try to choose on a kind of “pound for pound” basis like comparing boxers. This is mine, although it might change day-by-day to include some of the great stuff already posted.

Beethoven symphony no. 5

Elgar Introduction and allegro

Elgar Enigma variations

Sibelius violin concerto

Beethoven symphony no. 9

Grieg Wedding day at Troldhaugen

Bruch violin concerto no 1

Dvorak symphony no 9 (new world)

Sibelius symphony no. 7

Vaughan-Williams Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis