owl sees all

22-00 Time to turn in. Just checked the temperature; 11C. Chilly!

Owl Log 20-02-2022 - Sunday afternoon The temperature has dropped significantly. The thermometer read 14C at eight this morning. We have an oil heater and it's been put on for the first time in over a year. Considering that March often rivals April for hotness, this spell is due to finish very soon. There have been some showers too. I expect the trees will love it. We had a hole in the roof of the rice-store at the farm. I didn't feel good about getting up on the roof, so enlisted Guy. Bought some silver waterproof tape. Didn't want any water falling in on the bags of rice, Soon sorted, The rain and the water pumping has saved the lilies in pond seven. It was on a sorry state last week. Much better. Spotted a truck in Ban Dung that was worth a pic. Just how many mirrors does the driver need? That new array of water-filled barriers on the 2022 began to make sense. On Friday we had a new sign. Beware of the side street. Better to warn the people coming out of the side street that there is a main road ahead. I'll keep an eye out to see if anything else is erected. Are they going to leave the barriers? Must have been an accident hot spot. Poo got a really nasty wound on her upper leg. It was full of puss. I squeezed out as much as I could. As I type, she seems to be almost fully recovered. Jumping all over. No idea how she got it. That footballer hasn't been around has he? Back in Ban Dung. I found a walkway that was; unwalkable. What's going on? Ban Dung is such a nice town. Don't like to see this. Found a couple of unusual pipes close by the village, on the main drag. This one is in the wrong place; it seems to me. Should be much further down the slope. Still can't suss this one out. where is all this water gonna come from? Two three foot wide pipes. Mildred at it again. Another small common carp for pond six. vid put back small carp.mp4 Although the Buddha pond has been emptied there is no sign of action. Expect a man to visit all the village houses soon with those white envelopes. The road outside the Buddha is awful. By far the worst section of road we have. And it's quite heavily used, as it leads down to most of the village farms. And looking towards the village from down the slope. Snapped the twins one morning after escorting Mildred to her school bus. They were with their cousin 'Pun'. His grandma - the big mango lady - was supervising the three of them. And what do we do when it's too cold to sit outside? Relax in the corner. The 20 baht ear-pieces in place. Spurs like playing against Man City. They have rolled them over a couple of times recently. Same score (2-3) in 2018. And I think they knocked them out of the Ch Lg too. Went right off Spurs in 1964. Went along for the first game of the season, and they had put a flood-light pylon right where I used to stand. Anyone taking any notice of the Winter Olympics? Can't find out if any Thais are competing. Asked Mrs Owl. "Any Thai sports people in China teerak. Doing the curling or half-pipeing?" Think she understood. "What you say? You look Chinese lady on internet? You bad farang. Money! Give me." Plenty of tears and drama at the games; evidently. Must take more interest. Had a lot of little jobs to do last week. The toilet chain broke. Hole in the roof (rice-store). Put a battery in one of the clocks. Fixed the glass door on the shelf above the TV. Sewed up my favourite shorts; that had suddenly got a ripped pocket (must have been the wife looking for money). Pumped water from one pond into another. Ordered beauty stuff from Lazada. Played some chess on-line. Took pics for the diary. It's a busy life here in upper Isaan. Went to visit Ting - the hat lady - on Thursday afternoon. She was looking scrummie. Bought some packs of reishi strips and a new hat. Tried on the orange one, but it was a tad small. From behind the counter Ting brought out a lovely peach coloured one. Fitted perfectly. "I save for you. Hansum man." Said she, as it was placed on my head and adjusted to make me look good. It's two thirty and it's just like it was after sunset. So dark! Mildred has just finished her latest painting. Can view them on: http://www.numbervillage.com/art/artmain Not had the nod from Sotheby yet. Might send them a sample of reishi wine to get them interested. Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

Interesting. Thanks for the Bannork. Cheered me up. Just checked on the world weather - south east Asia area - and they say there could/will/might be heavy rain in the early hours of Saturday morning. It does speak of another big cloud coming towards Ban Dung from Vietnam north. should be here later this month. Reminds me of a 'special forces' pal of mine way back."The drinks are on me tonight Owl." Somehow I always finished up paying. We will see. Sunny at the mo'.

On Monday, we pumped water into pond seven for three hours. Since then the sun has hardly been seen. Very dull. Plenty of cloud. A little rain. The temperature has dropped as you say Bannork. If it is not raining tomorrow Mildred wants to pump water into number six. If we run the pump for three hours, it will raise the water level by about four/six inches. That could be enough pumping, as the rain will gradually become more frequent as we get into March and April. If not then it's the pump again. Thanks to the big rain on October 22nd, we have plenty of water in ponds one, two and three. The cost of pumping is not too great. A litre of benzine/petrol gives two hours of pumping. Then there is Mrs Owl's garden to water. All in all quite cheap.

Good honest assessment of your team/club in the last few posts Rick, Thanks.

You never mentioned Pogba Rick. For me, there is something up here. No doubting his talent, but in the time he has been at OT, the number of games where he has had a 'great game' are few Didn't a former manager describe him as a 'virus'? Do you think there will be major changes at United? idn't a former manager describe him as a 'virus'?

Yes! Cavani hasn't played too much. But there is Greenwood and Rashford also. It all seems strange to me. As Paul Scholes said the other day. We are Manchester United. We should just go out and get these people. To be fair to him, he was talking about getting a top manager. But where is that attitude gone? Ok! So that might not be so realistic but are there no back ups? No youth policy? Or did that go when Sir Alex relinquished the reins? You have your finger on the Man U button. Spill the beans please Rick. Sad to see United in the 'also-ran' list.

Just what is wrong with United? Ronaldo has had chance after chance to score. Is he past it? A younger forward would have feasted on them. Where is Cavani? Is this poor spell really a blessing in disguise. Needs a rebuild.

Poor old Kurt got jelly legs before the game at Leicester. He is gonna get stick all season; especially at away games.

You are right there Dave; a lovely ground. When I started watching the 'O's one end was cinder. Don't know the year they concreted it over.

Owl Log - 13-02-2022- Sunday mid-dayish It rained on Friday evening, and although not heavy, was very welcome. So that's well over 100 dry days. Don't want that again this year. The plants, trees and ponds were all overjoyed. Pond seven especially needed the water. Went to the farm, after picking up Mildred from school on Friday. There were a number of big white birds wading in the pond, pecking at the fishes. We decided to pump in some water. vid pump water into 7.mp4 Going to pump six inches in today too (Sunday). Before pumping we had to connect up some more 2 inch pipes and sort out any leaks. There was a tree that had to be sorted out. Mildred caught an absolutely stonking koi. Orange, with golden orange scales. Mildred believes that this fish actually hatched in the pond. I'll go with that. Hope she is right on that. What a beautiful creature. Released into pond six. vid take back koi.mp4 Pond 3 is looking good. It is smothered with a small plant. And although water level is low, it should have enough to see it through to when the showers start in 6 weeks or so. Hopefully!!? This is a very fertile pond. No fish of note in there. Back at the village; we had visitors. Very lucky to get them. Mrs Owl says. Snapped one of the twins in the week. Nadene I think. With mum. Still in her jim-jams. Other twin Nadia, was nowhere around. Not very often see them apart. The Buddha had a bit of concreting done. Keeping my eye on the imminent work over the pond. Will it attract visitors from far and wide? We will see. Two trees along the 2022, at the next cross-raods from us, have been mutilated. But at least they are still standing. They will never recover their former glory though. There is also another scheme further along. This one seems to be because of a small dirt farm road. Just a monumental waste of dosh and time, in my opinion. Certainly not gonna stop the motorbike riding when tanked up with Lao Khow. Better to sort out the road; which is disgraceful. In Ban Dung, work is still continuing to widen the road parallel to the main drag. Also seen in Ban Dung. I like the green ones. Mildred like the orange. The posts were put in along the quiet road at the end of the super-highway that runs by our farm. Then the painters came around. All for a road that sees a pick-up once an hour., and truck once a day. Eucas are being cut, and transported to the whole-seller. vid takelogs.mp4 Me and Mildred messing about at sunset. Mildred had her national exams on Saturday. Four one hour tests. Maths, Science, English and Thai. She reckoned she done good, except for a couple of the Math's questions. Showed me one that she got stuck on. Can't say I even understood what was being asked. Mildred is a bit upset 'cause her best friend is going to boarding school near Loei for the next school year. I had an idea, and told her. It was to do a two x one hour teach on a Saturday. One hour English and one Maths. All they - any of her friends - have to do is turn up on a Saturday Morning. We will see. Another death in the village. Sharong was only 46. Liver problems I as told. Just 50 metres from our house. Party tonight. Send him to the moon. The footy cat-abuser is playing at Leicester later today. Think he will have to put in ear plugs. Moved him into my fantasy football team. Reckon he will run his nuts off - if the cat lovers don't get to him first - for the Irons. Kurt has to get the WHU fans onside. What better way than play well. Interesting, his brother, who is just as despicable, plays for Dagenham and Redbridge. My local club for 40 years. Never supported them; for personal reasons. Had two people ask us about our euca trees. Want to be the ones to cut them next year. Liz Truss did a speech in Parliament in the week. Evidently any entity fraternisng with the enemy (Russia) will be subject to sanctions. That's the end of cheap Chinese take-a-ways then! What will they eat in Dagenham, seeing that the 'pie n mash' shop at the Merry Fiddlers has gone. The last couple of days have definitely has got warmer. Not really been a cold winter up here. Just dry. Only one thing left to say; thank you, and bye.

The cat saga is intensifying. There was a phone-in on an English radio show a couple of days ago, where the general view was that castration might be the appropriate cure for such wanton disrespect for cats. That's not for the cat I must add. That's a tad drastic I reckon, but I think a good 'booing' for the rest of the season will be in order. Let's see what he is made off. Now this guy Kurt Zouma - who arrived from Chelsea by the way - is probably going to run his nuts off for the Irons, just to get the fans back onside. So I'm gonna put him in my fantasy footy team and see how it goes until the dust settles.

Absolute disgrace. If I had a season ticket, I would give it away. I'm ashamed to see this. Gonna support Leyton Orient until this guy is got rid of.

Who lives in the cottage? I'm sure it must belong to the club. If it's still there now it will be there forever I reckon. Fulham are not interested in the FA Cup. Just an inconvenience getting in the way of their promotion drive.

Been there many times. Is the cottage still in the corner? Johnny Haynes! One of the true greats of English footy.

I agree HP. Cutting down trees because guys get fuelled up on Lao khow and drive motor bikes carelessly is not my idea of progress.

As an addition to the Last Owl Log, these are the beautiful trees that have been cut down. Looks terrible. What's up with these people?

Owl Log - 06-02-2022 - Sunday mid-dayish Took Mildred to school for the mass testing last Monday. it seems that it wasn't the PCR test (as last time), but an ATK. Waited 1 minutes and then left. The system was different also. Have to keep a look out for that number on the lottery next time round. And quite logically, the girl in front had the next number. Then it was up to the first station for something. Into the hall. And the actual swab job. I took an interest in the drinks. I happened to notice that the smaller ones were strangely labelled. Strange, I thought. The school had their own drinks. But I was more interested in the contents. Or to be more precise the amount of water that was actually in the bottle. I took the empty back home and the best I could do was 345ml. Now I've got to make a decision. Do I inform the school that the water bottles are incorrectly labelled, or do I just forget it? I'll consult Mildred. All that tree felling at the top of our road was for lights. It's not just our junction (with the 2022), it's all along. And in Ban Dung too. Someone has has a brainwave. The next crossroads has had the same treatment. Beautiful trees cut down. Cut down for what? To be replaced with a line of lights!? If I thought it would do any good I'd complain. A moan will have to suffice. I said to Mrs Owl; "Teerak, they are cutting down lovely trees all along the road." "Cut down trees. Stop people die; motorbikes." Can't argue with that. I've got some pics of the trees as it was from last year. I'll post and show the devastation next Owl Log. A sad sight in Ban Dung. A once beautiful house has been neglected. . Looked as though it was restrorable from the front. But obviously beyond repair as I discovered when i walked round the back. Sad to see. Another visit to the best shop in town; the 20 baht shop. Bought a clock and a small colouring pack. I'll give that to a friend's niece when I next visit him. And for me a few head-phone sets. The two i got for Lazada have gone kaput. The 20 baht ones are great; so far. Have a pair on right now as I type the Owl Log. Listening to Rosa Ponselle's beautiful voice. Made six litres of reishi drink in the week. Ginger, onion, limes and reishi strips. Into the pot. Get the fire ready. When the brew has cooled, half will go towards the wine. The rest is swigged neat as I feel the need. Been pumping water again. Have to keep a certain amount in pond six for the fish. There was a news report about a tragic incident on a crossing last week when a doctor was hurt. I do think that crossings should be well maintained and better respected. Outside Mildred's school. video_25650202_161127.mp4 If i stop in the pick-up for people to cross, I often get 'tooted' from the vehicles behind. I'd like to see crossings made from black and white block tiles. The painted ones just don't look good after a few months in the sun. The avocadoes seem to like being in that pot. Get watered every day. And not in the sun for hours. Sent away for a holder for Mildred's artwork. Mildred is now using oil paints. The ones i sent away for do a nice job. Can't say i understand the themes. Or why her girls have those funny pointed feet. She seems to be sticking with it. Keeps her off the 'tippy tappy'. FA Cup week end. The Irons came withing a minute or two of being eliminated by Kidderminister. Close shave. Harsh on the Harriers though. The Owls go from strength to strength, with another good win. Fulham firmly in place for a quick return to the EPL. Mildred back at school; full time. Asked if any students got a positive covid test result. Evidently all 1500 of them were clear. Day 106 since that rain on 22nd of October. Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

It is on the back burner for now. But good you ask. Looked as though we had it cracked and then a small problem or two emerged. First was a small air leak. When it was running a tiny whistling sound could be heard. I patched that up with a dollop of mastic. That done, we ran it again, but this time the holding tank buckled. I am looking for a container that will not capsize in on itself. And it would also have to be able to have pipes fitted onto it. I'll have it sorted soon, but for now, what with all the other things going on, it'll have to wait. Owls for promotion? What you think Owl?

Love that pic.

Owl Log - 30-01-2022 - Sunday afternoon Is it good news or is it bad? Mildred tells me that she is back to school this week. Tuesday is the day. But she has to go in on Monday (tomorrow) for a school mass covid test. Now I'm thinking that if just one of these tests go positive - whether the person has the dreaded lurgy or not - then the whole school is off for another week or so. I'd rather she forgave school for this school year and start at the new school in April. Report on the school progress or otherwise later this week. There is work in Ban Dung down the road parallel to the main drag. I've a feeling that they (don't know who 'they' are though) are going to relieve some of the traffic congestion. Had to take the Ma-in-law to the hospital in Udon in the week. Got there for eight. It turned out to be very easy. While she was in the hospital with Mrs Owl looking after her, I took the opportunity to do what all red-blooded farang do when set loose; went shopping. Not for silly stuff like food and clothes. No! PVC pipes and tools. First stop; Do Home. Big rubber hammer and a few PVC parts. Didn't think their hose-pipes were cheap enough, so it was on to Home Hub. They are just along the N2 road. What a difference between the two stores. Do Home had maybe fifty customers, although the place is so big there could have been many more lurking somewhere. Home hub had just me and just one other; that I could see. Bought a 100m roll of 1 inch clear water pipe. They make such a fuss of you in there. Pretty girls come from everywhere to give a wai and greeting in English. Then on to VP. Cheapest place in town. Dozens of customers. Bought two chairs for 100 baht each. Shopping completed, I was free to pursue that other thing that we like to do. Taking pics of things of interest. Only managed one pic before the mobile rang to say the ladies were ready to be picked up. Everything OK. Back at the village before twelve. Unusual for a Thailand city. Quiet and clean. Sorted out both sets of pipe back at the farm. Two inch PVC for pumping water into Mildred's sorry pond, and the hose-pipe for the Mrs to do her watering. The new pipe has doubled the flow rate. She was wearing my hat. Is she secretly saying something to me? Go away from me farang, unless you want to get soaked. The fittings from Do home were used fixing up the big pipe. Me and Mildred soon had it sorted. Water in; and not before time. The shallow end was so low. Mildred put a stick in the mud to measure progress. There were three tiny drops of rain a week or so ago. Together would not have measured half a millimetre. So today is 100 days since a decent bit. vid pump water.mp4 Mildred caught a beautiful common carp. Put it in her pond. Only just enough water for it to swim away. vid mildredletscarp go.mp4 Wouldn't be a proper Owl Log without a lovely tree pic. This one is just 30 metres from number three farm. Sent away for some oil sticks for Mildred's art. At the village, there must be plans to do work on the building, that will eventually be over the pond. They pumped the water into the ponds next door. Never seen them so full. The leaning tree is actually a Tamarind. Collected some fruit in the week. Saying they are bitter is an understatement. Horrible! Sunset over the palms. Palm oil nuts are ten baht a kilo at the mo'. Mildred loves animals. Especially Poo. Since the last Owl Log the avocados outside have gone crazy. Have five trees now. There are more seeds in the pot too. Everyone stops to admire them. Guy has done great with the build on our land. Although he hasn't parted with any dosh as yet. Soon though!? As soon as the dosh starts rolling in from the shop. I'll do a special log on the build soon. Why was the footy - well only the EPL - postponed this week. Absolutely outrageous. So it's Nadal and Medvedev in the tennis today. All seems a waste of time now. Who won the ladies? Can't even be bothered to look. After all my sorry head-phone episodes, where they were all breaking, I found a new supplier. the 20 baht shop. Yes! I jest you not fellow farangsters. Twenty baht for a super set. I've got them on now listening to some Russian Military marching music as I type. Anyway I'm off to ban Dung tomorrow, and I'll get a few sets as spares. If they have any left! Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

Great to get a post from a fellow Owl. Last time I saw Ting (hat lady), she twisted my arm to buy one of her hats. Physical contact; very nice too. I picked out a nice white one. She placed it, adjusted it, and said I was most hansum man with the hat on. More physical contact. Mrs Owl accidentally tore it, putting it into the wash. Not to worry though. Soon fixed it up as good as new. Ting had a bright orange one at the shop last time. Might get it if it's still there on Monday when I go to Ban Dung. Also bought some strips of reishi. Yes, the conundrum, I'll ask her about that. She has - with my help - been busy working on ways to determine square roots. We have two new solutions. One utilises Pi. The other a quadratic. Very interesting. Not seen either solution on the www. Owls v Tractor boys tonight. Rooting for the Owls.

Farmer Fred was sick. The doctor arrived and was examining him. The wife was concerned. Two chickens were observing at the open door with interest. "What the verdict doctor?" Asked Fred's wife. "It's covid19 I'm afraid." One chicken says to the other. "Thank ---- for that Chunky. For a moment there, I thought he was gonna say 'Asian Bird Flu'.

Dull and dry. There is a dwarf papaya that is being grown in a garden near us. The trees never more than 1-5 metres high, and the yield is very good. We have just got hold of one, and are hoping for a good result. Where do they grow the little oranges Bannork? I'm sure they originate from Thailand. The are great eaters. Eat half-a-dozen for dinner sometimes.

Owl Log - 21-01-2022 - Friday morning As I type rain has started. First since October 22nd, 91 days ago. It's all about trees today. First the avocado grown from seed 18 months ago. Planted at the same time was this mango tree, also grown from seed. The leaning tree has not been featured much lately. Two pics. First one from the far end of the pond. Don't look to be leaning much in that pic. Next is the view from the house end. We had excess eucas from the planting in June 2020. The last lot were moved in the week. They are not really worth keeping as they will never be any good, but Mildred likes to tend to them, and that's good enough to keep 'em.. Mildred and I decided to leave the bigger one, as the root was firmly in the stony ground, and would have died if we had snapped the root. Have to make sure it grows straight up or Mrs Owl will surely sort it out; with her chopper. We saw three fires on the go yesterday afternoon. It wouldn't be good if the fires moved over to the eucas and the palms. Did have a problem in number three farm some years ago. Twenty or so trees got burnt through one of the farms burning rice stubble next to us. Took a year, but all the palms recovered. It's the burning season for the next two months, so have to watch out. When the fires hit a bamboo copse, the 'cracking' can be heard for miles around. The rain, drizzle we call it in England, has stopped. Couldn't even call it a shower. Not enough to stop a game of cricket. Sun is about to come out. A full Owl Log next week.