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.

 

35 minutes ago, Red Phoenix said:

It would be a grave mistake to assume from that short fragment that Harari is a nature-lover and cherishes all life in the human, animal and plant world.  On the contrary, he surely doesn't think that each living creature has 'a sacred right to life', least of all the 'useless eaters' as he calls them. 

Indeed!

 

Nature only cares about two things ; at least in the living part. Survival and reproduction. Everything else is superfluous.

Owl Log - Sunday 21st of December 2024

 

Still gathering together what we need for the solar water pump. Picked up the PVC pipes and connectors a couple of days ago.

 

 

All 4 metres x 1.5 inch. Two different gauges. 2 at 8.5mm and 8 at 5mm. There is a reason for the two. Didn't get the ultra heavy 13.5 pipes. If there is an accident, as we had in number three a few years back, the pipes will hopefully burst, before any other damage is caused. In our unfortunate incident the pump was switched on before the valve was opened. And #$&^*>%!!!

 

Yesterday, me and Mildred put on the connectors. First we cut of 10 inches, or so, off each pipe at the female end.

 

 

These little bits can be used at another time. Then it was the easy job of gluing the connectors on. A male at one end and female at the other.

 

 

The only one that was done differently was the one to be screwed into the pump. This was just one metre long. And was the heavier gauge.

 

 

Ginger always ready to led a paw.

 

So the scene is set for today's action. This afternoon we (me and Mildred) will weld the pump wire to the extension wire.

 

 

That's not so easy as the two sets of wires are noticeably different. Pump wires the lower ones. Although the wire content is the same; 4 sq mm

 

 

The heat-weld kit is ready. All we will need is Mrs Owl's hair dryer.

 

 

 

Will not need the holding rope or the controller today.

 

 

Everything is set for us to get stuck in this afternoon. What I'll do is take 35 metres of the cable off. The whole reel weights in at 28 kg, and the pump 8 kg. So cut down on the weight to make it all manageable. If I can get someone to help me put the pump down the well, and everything goes to plan, I'll order the three solar panels. Still have to get the metal frame members. ill pick them up tomorrow. Also two 50cm diametre concrete rings, that will protect the well-head. Already have the bolts.

 

 

I only hope there is enough water in the ground for all the wells. Another one was being readied yesterday less than 100 metres from one of ours.

 

 

Mrs Owl did no good in the week. She went and cut down the creeper, that I'd been looking after. Have to start all over.

 

 

Robert is always ready to get in the pick up. Just getting in is an adventure.

 

 

Move over mate. You don't have a licence to drive the Mazza.

 

 

Spotted something different on the super-highway.

 

 

Mrs Owl says they are 'doing' tobacco. I've not seen it before. Will investigate in the week.

 

 

Have moved the water pump down to number 2 pond. At least 2 metres of water in there. Plenty until the wet season is with us. But hold on! 94 days without rain. There are no guarantees any more with this climate change. Last year, it was 119 days before a cloud dropped its goodies on us; in February.

 

 

Don't actually store it away. Cover it over, and hope no-one notices it.

 

 

Mildred still has not moved her kois from the tank to the pond. Up to her.

 

 

The pipe is very soft, so run it up in a way that it don't flatten. Only have the pump ticking over. It's a 2 incher, and the pipe throughput is a quarter of that.

 

 

Burned up a bit of trash in the week.

 

 

At the back of number 4 farm, they were also having a burn up.

 

 

Deliveries, deliveries, deliveries.

 

Mrs Owl spent 300 baht on a new hand-bag. I said to her; "Teerak, you already have over 20, why you want more?" "Farang stupid. You not understand lady. Must have plenty hand-bag." Mildred had a small make-up set, and the Mrs had a smart two-piece top and trousers. Although that has to go to the tailors to make it fit. I had my solar stuff. And got the doggies a 20kg sack of biscuit. It's their favourite; 'Zoi dog'.

 

 

If I can, i like to meet Mildred from the bus at 5ish every week day. Lots of children and dogs in that area.

 

 

And there's the bus.

 

 

Another loss for the Owls. Don't look good for them. Orient take another big scalp. Last week Portsmouth away, yesterday Bolton at home. Banks O'Dee win 3-0. Thailand win 2-0 against Kyrgyzstan, in group 'F' of the Asian Cup. They play Oman today.

 

In darts, teenager Luke Littler defeats Michael Van Gerwin, to win his first ranking tournament. Luke, who was beaten by another Luke, Humphries, in the World Championships earlier in the month, also got a '9 darter' in the first leg.

 

Thumb still sore. Swelling gone down. Can't yet undo a button or climb a tree. But getting better slowly.

 

Cold and icy in the UK. Gradually getting warmer here in Isaan. In 6 weeks time we will be roasting.

 

Just after noon. Time to sign off another Owl Log. Take care out there.

 

 

Owl Log - Monday evening -Jan 15th 2024

 

It's all happening. Deep well DC pump has arrived. That must be a new year treat cause I first ordered this on on the 26th December. First there was the out of stock. Then they said faailed delivery. But now I have it. The whole package came to just over 6k baht. (do more on all this in the week). Now the cable coming off the pump is:

 

 

Quite plainly says 2.0 mm2. That's a cable 3 pin each with a copper x-sectional area of 4mm (2.0 x 2.0). Do you think I could find one on Lazada!! The only one I did find was priced at 55 baht per metre. Bit pricey that. So Mildred suggested that we go to Udon Thani and visit the big stores until we got what we were after. So off we set at 11ish. Stopped at Sum Sao Wat for some pics.

 

Nothing too exciting at the lake.

 

 

Then into the front area.

 

 

People were on the ground floor having grub.

 

 

No big changes upstairs, but there was some new decorative stuff.

 

 

Obviously to stop people falling over the little wall.

 

Black Buddha now has a plaque.

 

 

More decorative things.

 

 

A quick look back, and it was time to get back to Mildred waiting patiently in the Mazza.

 

 

40 minutes later we were in DoHome. I had the little bit of wire with me, so even the helpful staff couldn't get it wrong. They tied. But no, they didn't have any if that size. Not to fret, plenty more shops. So on to Home Hum a thousand metres south on the H2. I said to Mildred on the way that it was always quiet there. And I wasn't wrong. It was shut down.

 

 

Inside had been long cleared.

 

 

I had bought a generator at Tool Pro a few years back. They have everything. So just after we turned onto the Udon Ring Road we were there. Plenty of tools, and to be fair, there was a decent selection of cables. We were the only to customers and the staff were falling over themselves to make a sale. There would be better luck at Global House; surely!?

 

There were quite a few more in GH that the last store, but we were out of luck again. Forget the cable for a while and get to MAKRO for some goodies. I had the two big poly boxes on the back seat ready for the cheese and chips. MAKRO was absolutely packed. In the meat section alone, there must have been at least 100 people, mostly ladies, jostling for the lean cuts. Bought 6 kg of cheese and a couple of other tasties. Then it was off th TOA just along the road.

 

Showed the guy the wire in TOA, and he nodded. We followed him excitedly to the cable section. He looked. We looked. No! He was muttering ''Chinese wire not have''..

 

Last stop VIP on the road out of town. Bought a couple of chairs but no cable. We had been out for 4 hours and it was time to head home. Got to the lights and Mildred got a couple of snaps of the wire tangle.

 

 

We spotted a pick-up by the side of the 2022, just along from the old Buddha Bunny.

 

 

Got home at 5-22 and rested for an hour. Then the big surprise. ''Forgot to tell you Daddy. Have to go to the school tomorrow. All parents have to go.''

 

And so to this morning. Got at the school for eight.

 

 

Mrs Owl was walking a bit fast and I lost her in the crowd.

 

 

Can honestly say it was the biggest waste of 4 hours ever of my life. Mildred came out just after eleven, and reunited me and the Mrs. And returned home with us. But not yet. Went into the Daisha, the building shop, to get PVC pipes, for the first well-pump. Then off to Big C. Got our shopping and I had some 'chicken foot soup' in the eatery. Bought a winning lottery ticket and we headed home.

 

Floppy. one of the little dogs opposite us, had got himself caught in the sliding gate.

 

 

Took a while but we freed him. Seems perfectly OK.

 

Been experimenting with the air-lift system. Working out the pipe diameters for the best results.

 

 

Just running off the Mazza battery it give a decent lift. Now what would 1500 watts of solar leccy do?

 

Mildred went on the Intensive English w/e. She sent me the pics.

 

As far as I can ascertain it was the first time students met the new English Teachers.

Heard them all speak at the open day

this morning. Dear me!?

 

But that week end wasn't completely wasted. Mildred got a great cloud shot over the school footy pitch.

 

 

But we are here still, and Mildred has the day off tomorrow. So happy days.

 

What a shock. Portsmouth got done at home 0-3 to Orient. Yea! Foxes lose against the Sky Blues. Banks O'Dee hit six away from home. Ronnie O'sullivan wins the Snooker Masters and the Battle of the Lukes wemt to Humphries at the Alley Pally. What else? Scottish football is now ranked high on the BBC. Rangers and Celtic girls hit 19 goals between them, in their matches at the w/e.

 

The good news is. I found a supplier of the pump cable I've been seeking. Should be with me this week. 300 baht delivery charge. Also delivered today Some special rope that attaches to the pump, and a heat shrink set.

 

Still dry. 87 days since it last rained.

 

Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

 

+++

 

Mildreds last three works.

 

 

www.mildredart.com