owl sees all

I'm anti fool. You seem to be right up there JT. Are your eyes closed to what is happening in the Middle east?

I'm anti-genocide. Anyone else out there want to risk being called antisemitic?

Bang on the money there HP. Even if yer got a direct hit they wouldn't break or sink. Every day go down the soi keeping it free from trash. Plenty of bottles.

I have 4 avocados trees grown from seed. I'll put a pic up later. When I'm at the farm, I look around at the sheer beauty of nature. I see lizards, birds, butterflies and many other nature wonders. Love the fish. Love nature. Love life. It's not all honey and cheese though. But overall, Isaan is probably the best place to be in the world. Perhaps maybe second to Dagenham; behind the power station, near the dock. Where one can pass away hours throwing stones at the bottles bobbing up and down in the Thames.

Dogs mature just like everything else. Oscar is still the enforcer, but he is a little calmer than before. He is a fatty though. Robert is still his exuberant self.

Make you right there PW. But I like the life here. It has its up, and has its downs, but I'm committed to Thailand, and Isaan particularly. Now, I'd only go back to England for an emergency. Or if I got kicked out. Just about to have a cheese sarnie with tommies. Lovely! Anyway, take care out there; where ever you are.

Are you still in Isaan PW? Only going by your stated location; Newcastle. The two little dogs across the road have died. Very sad. They were good pals with Robert and Oscar.

Original roots in the Middle East! According to Chris Hedges - and others - reckon it's well below 10%. Most Israelis have their roots in Europe, although a few come from the US. The English, Spanish and others went across the Atlantic to take over the Americas. Mascaraing the locals as they went. Old habits die hard.

True; I'm not a supporter of Israel, its leaders, policies or its present massacre of mostly women and children Gazsaians. But as far as religion goes; I don't like or dis-like Jews any more than I do Christians. They all have their bad parts. Some have done good stuff. I'm not at all happy with the western countries that have allowed Israel to gradually grow into the monster it is. But, I reckon the end is in sight for the whole Zionist cults; whatever religion they hide behind. Bitten off more than they can chew.

Zionism was/is a cult. The people involved, since the late 1800s (when this all started), were/are not religious; at least not in the true sense. If a Jew is not religious that he is not a Jew. Not in my book. Could a Christian who don't believe be a Christian? Of course not! Same thing. Talking about thousands of years of Jewish history in simply 'humbug'. The area that is now being fought over - in fact the whole area that is oil-rich - was once lush forests. People then, were not Jews or Christians or anything else. They probably were more like the original Nth Americans. They believed in what they saw; day to day. Antisemitism is a nonsense IMO. What actually does it refer to? How can it be defined? The true Semites are the Palestinians. Only a handful of Israelis come from the area. Remember that after WW11, the gangs that terrorised the area clearing people off their land, were anti-English, and some were prepared to aline themselves to all sorts. Remember also, that these Zionist terrorists were later to be the leaders of Israel's military and government. You can't tell me that the driver of the Gaza debacle (BN) is religious. There won't be a welcome for him at the gates of heaven for sure. More like down below for that psychopath.. IMO, the last American pres', to put his country before Israel, was JFK. Recall what happen to him? The current leaders are simply paid off or compromised. They cannot be seen to go against Israel, or the Israel lobby. That's how powerful this cult is. They have infiltrated everything that has influence. Hollywood, MSM, Tech etc. The ultimate goal of the Zionists is the complete take over of Palestine; without any non-Jews being there. And - US, Germany and UK permitting - will broaden their horizons.

What utter nonsense.

Does look a bit hectic. The water is very shallow. The fishes must be scared. Let's hope they were OK.

Mekons! Fantastic pics Mick. Thanks.

One for the left foot, and one for the right. Honest Andy, not tell porkies.

I ll look that up Chips. But to quote Wiki:::: '''Hill left United for Derby County for £250,000 in 1978, with his sale by Dave Sexton deeply unpopular with supporters. At the time of his sale, Hill was United's top scorer and a favourite among fans.''' Actually Coppell and Hill, remind me of Medwin and Jones from the Spurs side of the early 60. They started the 'cutting in' style, as opposed to the 'get to the goal-line and cross the ball', for the centre forward to head in.

''It's not just clothes. It's plants, trees, tools, footwear (I bought a new pair of sandals for 50 baht), food and pets. '' Quite right Mr rhodie. Should have backed up such a profound statement with an irrefutable fact. So here goes.

Thanks for that warm sentiment Rick. You have moved into my list for my 2024 Xmas ecards. I try to be fair and observational. I like good footy, and United have played some great stuff down the years. And I'm sure they will again hit those heights. Recall Gordon Hill and Steve Coppell? Cutting in from the wing and putting one (or two) in the top corner?! Wow!! Sends shivers down yer spine just thinking of it.

Have you moved PW? Left wonderful Isaan, and moved to cold, grimy Toon country?

I think the top two will be Foxes and Saints. Play-offs are gonna be very interesting. There are some very decent crowds attending the Championship games. Make you right Andy about there being competitive in a lower league.

Robert is the one that gets about. Comes to the farm with me every day. Oscar was not so keen on the farm. Oscar was the enforcer. Now he is calm.

I did say on the thread that I thought all three relegated would return. In my memory they were the best three teams to go down since 3 up, 3 down started. In the Asian Cup, Thailand are out. Sitting pretty at half way after the group games. They lost to Uzbekistan 2-1 in the first knockout. Never scored enough goals. Only 3 in their 4 matches.

It's Monday the 5th of February. And this is the weekly Owl Log. A busy week end. Went to the Number 4 Market yesterday and didn't get back home until 4ish. We went earlier than usual as Mildred wanted to meet up with some friends, so we left at 9-30. Probably because we were there early, it was much busier than a couple of hours later, when we would normally arrive. Couldn't get our normal parking spot outside Kimberly's old gaff, so had to park outside Kubota, across the road. The big building, next to the church, had progressed a lot. It will be interesting to see what it is all for. We had ordered 200 pinkies, and of course, couldn't resist getting a couple of lovely kois. This is one fantastic market. You could walk in completely naked, and as long as you have 235 baht, would come out .looking like a 'big cheese'. Togged out in designer brands and Chinese specials. It's rumoured that some ladies do that. But they get there early doors to get the best clobber. It's not just clothes. It's plants, trees, tools, footwear (I bought a new pair of sandals for 50 baht), food and pets. Hedgehogs for the garden. And of course smart phones. Top of the range items. The most expensive at 1,950 baht, but most less than a grand. Then it was off to Big C, for the weekly shop. And then onto farm to let the fishes go. Solar panels were delivered in the week. Popped them into the spare bedroom. Finished the preparation work at the farm. On Saturday me and Mildred fixed up the wiring for the pump and the 'low/no water' sensor. Got to grips with me new soldering kit. Slid on the heat-shrink tubes. Put on some leccy tape and protected the joint. All done. The big building in Ban Dung is coming along nicely. Next door. The house that time forgot! When the dwelling has reached its sell-by date; it has to go. This one just outside the village being knocked down. Don't seem to be much progress since last week; but there is just one demolition lady with a hammer!. Called into the 7-11 (northern end). Some glorious fishes outside the coffee shop. Sugar cutting on the go everywhere. But less this year than I have seen since arriving in Isaan. An unusual build in one of Ban Dung's back streets. No steps leading up. Gonna be nice when it's finished. A new cat found a home at Grandma's. Robert just wants to say 'hello'. Solar panel mountings Couldn't get them at the market or in town. Gonna make my own. So nice to be here. Water is low in number 5 pond. ++++ Goals all over the place in the EPL. 8 at Toon. 6 at The Bridge, and 5 at both Brighton and Sheffield. Top 3 in the Championship are the three that were relegated last season. Orient up to 9th. Thumb still not good. After I did the whipping on Saturday, it ached like I'd just whacked it with a hammer. But has eased today. Found a pair of shorts, hidden away. It has 8 pockets. Not seen that many before. Although one is inside another. I was getting ready to post this morning. Then I was informed that I had to run a blood sample to Ban Dung hospital. A lot a hanging about there. I did get the last three things I needed for next Sunday's solar assembly at the farm though. Just need to get the team together for the action day. Conflicts all over the place in the Middle East. Africa too. Quiet in South East Asia for the time being. Although Burma still has a conflict. The snails came out of their hibernation last week. Gonna let them go later today. Gonna make a start on the solar panel mountings later. Mrs Owl is asleep. Dare not wake her up with some banging. Would definitely send her on the whack. Mildred has camping in the forest for three days this week; 8th, 9th, and 10th. She says she wants to go. I would say 'no', if push comes to shove. Best if I go to the farm for those days. Had a little rain a week ago. Just about enough to stop a game of cricket. Not seen a rain-cloud since. Got Mildred to listen to 'Riders on the storm'. One of my all-time favourites out of the USA. Think she enjoyed it. Another death in the village. A guy in his 50s. Don't know anything more yet. Not one 'pop up add' has sploshed across the workspace for this post. Things are looking up. Late posting. Yesterday wiped out, and had to run to Ban Dung with just 10 minutes notice this morning. Better late than never! Only think left to say; take care out there.

It's Sunday evening the 28th of January 2024. This is the Owl Log. We are gradually inching towards a successful outcome. Mostly sorted out the area where the action will shortly to be. That's much better. Had to cap the well. How best to do it. A brainstorm! Cut a piece of ribbed plastic exactly the right size to slip over the 5 inch PVC and into the concrete ring. Nicely into place Half fill it with concrete. Put on the surrounding ring and fill it up. Put the cap back on and cleaned it all up. Had to buy a concrete holder. Didn't really want a big one, but that's all they had. Plan to concrete the base sometime in the future. No rush for that though. Finally got the water-sensor' wire. It stops the pump working when the water is no more. Will put it a half metre above the pump. Once again the wire was different to the original, I think it's because the standards in China are considerably different to just about everywhere else. Anyway, used the rope - already cut to 35 metres - to measure and chop off the required amount of the sensor wire. But since then, I've changed my mind about the connections, so today, when I dropped Mildred off in Ban Dung, I went shopping and bought a soldering kit. I'm gonna undo the 5 connections I've done and solder them. Have ordered the solar panels. They will be with us early next month. Then we'll pick a day to connect everything up. Probably Saturday 10th February. Once everything is up and running, I'll look at the water delivery to the palms. That will be a challenge. Mildred! What is that on top of those posts? Silly me. It's cows. Eyes not so sharp now-a-days. Express train Bangkok to Nong Khai. Soon to be achieved - by train - in under 4 hours. This one crossing the H2 just north of Udon Thani. The tobacco business that I spotted last week is a much bigger concern that I'd realised. Plenty of bamboos needed. Two locks of tobacco growing at the mo. More areas to come; I'm sure. Very labour intensive it all is. That makes it cheap! Visited an area for the first time in yonks. The lake is covered in lilies. Absolutely lovely. The trees are wonderful too. My new helper is just along from farm 2. Will try to enlist his help as I used to do with Soo. Not big work, but stuff I am finding it harder to do on my own now-a-days. He was doing his charcoal when I last asked him. While I was otherwise engaged, the village Wat had a roof put over the walkway. And a floodlight. Next to the 4016 - that's the road that connects the village to the 2022 Udon road, there is a big demolition job going on. Watch that space; as they say. Another death in the village last week. An elderly lady I'm informed. Quite a big party for her sending off. Mildred decided it was time for the Mazza to get a wash. Robert was at hand to help in any way. Waste of water; if you ask me. And when it was done Mildred made it look pretty. A young lad came along to play with Poom opposite. Just 8 years old, arriving on his leccy scooter. Just let it fall down outside. No walking or cycling for him. ++++ FA Cup week end. Well played Sinner and Maidstone. Pick of the rest Barcelona 3 - Villarreal 5. Had an add' sploshed across the work-space. Just couldn't get rid of it. Had to refresh the page to carry on. Lost a little unsaved work. Shouldn't be like this. Took Mildred to Ban Dung along with her friend today. Picked them both up at 3. Travelling eats into my Sunday time. It looks as though there is a big water leak under the road leading north out of Ban Dung. When they get to sort that out it will be chaos for a week. Passed the new fishing place. Quite a dew cars and p/ups parked up. A bit pricey at 350 baht for a day. Might try it when the Solar system is done. Need two new front tyres for the Mazza. Have to do it it before the MoT in March. Right now! The Thai lottery. Get into '0' and '7' - with supporting numbers '3' and '9' - this time. Don't want no commission. Just win and enjoy the easy money. Thanks for visiting. Take care y'all.

Jeez! What a bug fuss over a little cat? Might lick you to death. Now this is a big cat:

Beautiful indeed. I bet they taste as good as they look. A nod is as good as a wink to a blind man.