owl sees all

Thanks for that news Garry. I'll get a call made and report back. Anything over six baht a kilo is good business. Who knows what the future holds. There are analysts predicting diesel prices doubling in Europe. Reckon there will be a knock on effect over here if that's the case. Most diesel engines can run quite happily on 100% palm oil over here. Not so in cooler countries, where they need an additive or require a pre-warm.. Checked on the price of Nitrogen fertilizer today in Ban Dung: 15-15-15 1300 baht for 50kg. 46-0-0 1600 baht. Unbelievable price hikes. Could get 46-0-0 for under 700 baht a sack just a couple of months ago. Also fish food has jumped up from 320 baht (20kg) a sack to 370. The other feeds must have also risen; chicken, pigs etc.

There was a time when I looked forward to the parades and festivals. Girls marching, stuffed horses and ear-shattering music.. Now I'm content to visit, tend the farm, and watch Mildred grow o a lovely, kind young lady.

Saw someone wearing a Villa shirt a couple of years ago. See plenty of Barcelona shirts. I bough a few some years back. AC Milan, Man City, Spurs, Italian national team and a small (kid's size) Liverpool shirt, (which I gave away shortly afterwards). All just 99 baht apiece. The stall had literally hundreds on sale.

It's a lotta dosh. Plus I'd have to get there. Are they the two biggest supported EPL ckubs in Thailand? Reckon they could be. But there ls Chelsea and Leicester. Out of all the EPL and Champ's clubs, there are only a few that I haven't seen play at their present home. WHU, and Arsenal are two. But I also never went to Hull or Posh or St Marys. Did go to The Dell a couple of times though. Can't remember about Bournemouth also. And Wigan. Was at Goodison a few years back and went to see them play Burnley on Easter Monday. Back then, clubs played each other twice over Easter. Two days earlier they had beaten The Clarets away 1-2. Result at home 1-3,. but what a crowd; over 73,000.

They certainly are the yo-yoes in recent years. But any club that is good enough to win the championship as easily as Fulham did should have little trouble in staying in the EPL; for at least two seasons. For me, the worry would be an injury to Mitriivic.

Think it's Burnley or Everton to drop with the two gonners. But you never know?! If Lamps can instill a bit of pride into the once proud Toffeemen, and they win at Anfield, and Burnley pick up a win or two, it could be squeekee bum time for a few clubs. I think Norwich, Watford and Burnley; to be replaced by .Fulham, Bournemouth and - I've got a feeling in me water that it will be - Luton. On a side point. United will be playing Liverpool in Thailand in a pre-season game. Don't know where it will be played. Probably not in Udon Thani though.

Owl Log 24-04-2022 - Sunday afternoon Nice surprise this morning. Our nut man arrived and dropped 13k Baht into Mrs Owl's hand. The cut weighed in at 3.25 tonne That's 8475 - wagon fully loaded 5250 - wagon empty 3225 - weight of nuts in kiloes 9.55 - nut price per kg 30799 - total sale. Take off the bits and pieces; just over 26k was left. 50/50; hence 13k. We are talking fertilizer for next month. That has rocketed up in price. So 30 x 50 kg sacks of nitrogen could wipe out the next cut; in three weeks time. The cutters go around to cut, and place the nut bunch along the row. Then a pick-up or cart picks them up, and they are transferred to the wagon. vid load nuts01.mp4 Still not seen a mekong for a while. Mildred's idea of pumping out their pond is playing on my mind. I'll get the 3 incher sorted out. It hasn't run for well over a year. Put it on the pick-up. I'll give it a service in the week. This pump has a delivery of up to 40 m3 an hour. One good day's pumping should droin the water low enough to expose the fish and get them caught. Bought some big plastic bags in Big C on Friday. Need them to hold the fish in order to transfer them to other ponds without harming them. Mildred asked me to move one of the smaller lilies to her pond. Only small but once those roots take hold they take a bit of shifting. Then it was in the mud in pond six. It looks like it's a metre deep in that spot, but there is a lot of mud. Planting finished, it was off to get my floating-away flip-flop. Lost the other one in the mud somewhere. Maybe it will float to the surface in the future. The columns have started on the Buddha pier. Sneaked in the back way for a pic or two. When I came out, the cross-road gang were waiting for me. "Wot ya up to farang?" "Hi guys. Just taking a couple of pics in the Buddha. Is that OK?" "That's fine. but don't touch our dog." "We have put stones in the bottles so we can hear him coming." Sorted out the shower pipe. It had done a good job for 15 years, but it had to be replaced. Put the valve on the outside. Gonna fill the hole in with mastic in the coming weeks. The village road-works have virtually finished. Still none the wiser as to the reason for it. Just covering it over. Can't pass a big stone without half-inching it. This one went about 80kgs. It was as much as me and Mildred could do to lift it. Big hammer will soon have it smashed and then it will be perfect for sorting out the dips in the road. Songran passed without notice in the village. Well almost! A couple of days before the recent shower I sorted out the old pipes. There were a lot. At least 100 metres all told, in six sections. Pond three is smothered in small plant. It's the only one that has this growth. The temperature has returned to where it should be for April. Usually the hottest month in these parts. Did rain a bit in the week. If I'd been fishing at Hainault, I'd have put up the brolly; so next level up from drizzle. I've worked out the rain with an English/Thai slant. Mizzle - not enough for the umpire to take note - soi dogs get off the streets Drizzle - players off for early lunch - crickets start up their chants Rain - pitch covers on - brollies up when riding the m/c Heavy rain - brolly up when fishing - hammock time Big rain - think about going fishing - moan about leaky roof Storm - put off the barbee for another day - ear-plugs in and hide away. Footy round up. The Owls slump to a poor defeat. Fulham promoted. Leeds and the Irons play today. Orient crushed at home. Mrs Owl gratefully pocketed the 13k nut money. But fair doos; she did later give me 2k to pay the leccy. This month ours was 1300 and MinL's 500 baht. So not too much in my pocket after paying those bills. But enough for a new pair of flip-flops. Have got the www.mildredart.com site all sorted. Latest painting: Early days yet. but I can say with some confidence; 'roll over Rembrandt, tell Banksy the news.' Mildred is on the move.' The Mrs had just informed me that there is rain in Trat. "But teerak, China is nearer to us than Trat!" "How you know? You look internet see China lady? You bad farang." No sense of distance these Thais. Been watching 'The Isaan Farang' on YT. Very well done and interesting. Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

Great post. This is what we want to hear. First hand experiences. I've heard about those Chinese ladies What about bridge and chess clubs?

Do the people of Viet Nam have any resentment towards westerners; especially Americans? And what about the three most important things, Beer, women and fishing? Are there fishing parks like Bansumran? And the ladies? Are they a friendly lot? Price of beer? I was informed that one can get a train from Nong Khai to Saigon. I'll check that out for w/e get away.

Back in the 1970s with Gerry Francis leading them, they were a force in the game.. My top three are: Orient, Irons and - wait for it - Enfield Town.. First game watched live: 2-2 Orient v Sheff Wed.; 1958 I think (I'll check that).. Went to Upton Park at least 200 times. Played for a team from Enfield for a few years, so I like to see them do well. Watched Spurs in the early very 1960s. But, at the first game in the new season 61/62, I arrived to find that 'orrible floodlight pylons had been erected where I normally stood. So divorce was in order! Back to Orient who got promoted, and were gonna take Div' One apart. But no! Then I was sweet on a girl who liked Bobby Moore. So to keep in with her, I started watching The Irons. . Who else? I like Leeds cause of that thing about Loraine's bed and in Scotland I look up Cove Rangers. Back in England, I keep track of Dagenham and Redbridge (one club), and also Aveley Town. A storm last night. Got up at five and sat outside, with Poo the cat, to see the sky being lit up. Went back to bed when it all stopped at 5-30ish. Plenty of rain for a change.

Can't see top a 4 in the EPL now. Spurs, United and Gooners will have to battle it out for 4th spot. Think The Irons are pinning their hopes on winning the Europa League.

MK Dons are a decent team. Owls did well. I'll have look at all the goals on YT. Can't see it here. Darren Moore liked it a lot.

Owl Log - 17-04-2022 - Sunday afternoon Had a visit from an old friend. Not seen her for two years. Has been doing the 'Grab' delivery on her new m/c for the last 3 months. Working out of Udon. She was always helping me at the farm when she was younger. Together, we once bagged up over 200 sacks of cassava waste in a day. She would have been about 15 then. I also helped her with her maths and English when she was at college. She always had a good work ethic. Finished Uni' and straight into entrepreneurship. Well done Nut. The village road wor.ks are progressing nicely. Still not sure what it's all for. Not come any closer to us yet. "Eh oh Nadia. On ya own? Where is Nadine?" "Hi farang Owl. She has gone with Grand-ma to collect snails. I didn't want to go." Every day we have loads of fruit falling from the trees in the yard. Put it into sacks and take to farm. Then it's time for Mildred to do her stuff. vid - fruitfall.mp4 Seems like a lot of fruit, but after a minute or so it's gone, we hardly scratched the surface. But better on the ground in the farm than in the bin. Mildred has a favourite tree, and so do I. We had a measure up in the week. We did mine first; 37cm. Then on to the other one. Mildred's fav' measured 38cm. Or so she said. I never checked. And the pic was inconclusive. Early days! June will see them in the ground for two years. This area of number four farm has the best trees. Although they are not all monsters, they average out around 25 to 30cm. Happy, next door's dog, soon comes over for a bit of grub, when he sees us. Sometimes he is in luck and gets a few bones; or even meat. But we have some dog-food as back-up He just wasn't hungry one day. But it didn't go to waste. Carp just love dog-biscuit. Mango time is almost upon us. Mangoes for brekkies, lunch and supper soon. This tree in the village is a stonker. And the Big Mango ladies' big mangoes are looking good. Even though the tree is just 5 feet tall. Really pleased with the lilies. The ones we put into Mildred's number six pond are simply fantastic. While number seven pond is doing well, since we put a couple of hour's water into it from pond 3. Might put the little one (right) into the pond next door before it gets too big to handle. Our avocado plantation is stunning. Soon be time to repot them. Drove through a section of oil-palm farm number 2. Don't think we are gonna get a great yield next time; but the time after that should be good, especially if we get some down-pours. Have to teach Mildred how to hold the camera steady. vid - ridethrupalmfarm.mp4 I'll have as much rain as we can get. Big hopes for this evening and in the night. Really worried about the mekongs in pond 5. Neither Mildred or me has seen even one for over a week. They are a timid fish, and if scared, hide away for a while. Mildred saw me looking sad, and suggested that we drain pond 5. Put any carp into her pond 6, and the mekongs into pond 4. I like the thought of that, but I need to get some giant plastic bags to catch the 4/5 foot long mekongs. Also need a couple of trusted helpers. They must want to love the fish, and not hurt them when I'm not looking. The 3 inch pump needs a bit of maintenance too. It might all happen soon, maybe next week, or next month. Footy round up. Fulham still not up for certain. Beaten for the second game running. The Owls look good for the play-offs. Leeds resting. What a load of rubbish the fixture list is!!! Lucky Liverpool on track for the four-timer. The irons put Lyon to the sword, and are fave's to lift the Europa trophy. Mrs Owl has not spoken to me for a few days. Can't find my favourite shorts anywhere. Another death in the village. This time a very old guy of 98, who I can't remember ever seeing. Not been to Ban Dung since last Owl Log. Interested to see how the wall-painting is coming along. Bought a new www in the week; mildredart.com. Gonna move all her images over. Over 40 in all.; and 40 thumbs. Working on the HTML coding. Be finished in the week. Only three things left to say; thanks, happy Easter and bye y'all.

Fulham up and Derby down. 21 points too many to make up. The Owls had a good away win last evening.

Had some rain last evening; but nothing much. I think tonight - Sunday night/Monday early morning - will be wet. So says Jack the cat. He is not often wrong.

Music too loud. Some of the officials have sensitive parts.

They need one win or three points to get auto promotion. Five matches left. Only Forest can stop them playing in the EPL next season; but if they lose one more match Fulham are up, no matter what else happens.

Burnley have done a wrong un with this. They are a poor team, and some players have failed to shine all season. They needed players to step up; but they haven't. Doomed!

Kiss of death. 1-3 to Coventry City.

Owl Log - 10-04-2022 - Sunday afternoon No rain so far this month. All the good work in March quickly being undone. And so far it's not particularly hot. Strange couple of months. Want rain for the ponds, the eucas and the oil palms. Nuts at 9.85 baht a kilo. Got a nice result from the last palm nut cut. 35k all told. About 4k+ for cutters and transport. Left just over 30k, to be split 50/50. So that was 15k for us.Mrs Owl took the dosh and paid off 8k on the gold next day. By the time a few other bits and pieces had been paid for, and bought, I had to top up our dosh the ATM for Big C. That big building opposite Big C has interesting colours. Tesco is fully converted to Lotus now. I find it quite expensive. Not found anything in there that can't be bought cheaper somewhere else. Go there for the 20 baht shop outside. Went into farm three to pick up the rubbish and check on the nuts. Oh dear! Good thing the Mrs was not with us. Not too serious. Soon got out with local tractor help. The farm at the back of number four has planted cassava this year. They grew sugar for the last few years, but yields have been gradually getting worse. So back to another favourite. Some serious work going on in our village. The work is in the 'down town' area, but gradually getting nearer. Mrs Owl says water pipes. I think waste pipes. Perhaps both. If it's coming our way, it will be with us this week. The Buddha jetty build has been progressing nicely. Took a walk out there. Seemed solid enough. A new pond dig has just been finished. It's on high ground. Hope they noticed that. Two ponds - connected. A little bit of subsidence already. Both are deep. I reckon 6/7 metres each. The lower of the two ponds. Poom is living at the farm next to us. He comes over to see us every day. Helping Mildred with the fish feeding. Sent away for some gold in the week. Got a little purse as a gift. Gonna get a gram or so, every month; if there is any dosh left over. Much better investment than handbags. But ya never know. It's stashed away. Mildred knows where it is. White cat has had her kittens. They were hidden for a couple of weeks - somewhere or other - then she bought them into Grandma's house. Not one of the little ones has a long, straight tail, like mum. The tubs opposite us have a roof covering. Had to go take a look. Not really high enough for a two metre tall farang. Can't make out what they are doing. I'll keep watching. The same people are looking after ducks again. White ones this year. They wander about outside their compound; but not too far. I much prefer ducks to chickens. Used a new camera all last week. Pic quality is awful. Back to the phone-camera this week. Gave Um a couple of tins of cat food. For the white cat. I fear for the kittens though, they will want to get out and about belong long. There are so many dogs around. Ever since the 'dog-wagon' stopped, dogs have multiplied three-fold. Footy round up. Leeds got a great result yesterday. Sheffield Wednesday drew and Fulham play today. Seems a formality against Coventry; but ya never know. Four away wins from 5 matches on Saturday in the EPL. The very big one today; City v Pool.. Starts a little late at 10-30, but I'll probably listen to the first half. Irons play today also, their moral boosted by the Gooners and United both losing. In Europe last week, only Liverpool did well. Mrs Owl wants to water her garden at the farm today. Have to sort out the pipes as they have been chucked to the side because of the recent grass cutting. I was sitting in the pick-up in the Bang Dung bus station with the window down,. Mrs Owl was sorting out her gold and Mildred was back home. Ting (hat lady) noticed me, came over and spoke. "You alone Owl?" I told her I was not. She seemed disappointed, and touched my arm in a knowing way. She wandered away. Wonder what she had in mind! Eggs! When i was a little un, all chicken eggs were white. Now they are all brown; even in Essex. The shop on our land is finished and selling goodies. Be in the money soon. Gonna do an Owl Log special soon. Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

Tex Ritter the singing cowboy. Tex Ritter, the singing cowboy, was riding on his horse back to his ranch, when he came across a Yankee patrol. The Captain in charge of the platoon spoke to him. "Are you Tex Ritter, the singing cowboy?" "I am indeed Tex, the singing cowboy. Would you like me to sing a sweet ballad to your platoon?" "Before you do Tex, I've got yo give you some news." "Go ahead Captain, I am Tex Ritter the singing cowboy." "Well Tex, we have just come from your home and it's not good. The injuns were there and they burnt it down." "Any news of my wife and her parents." "Bad news Tex. The injuns took your wife, stripped her naked, and tied her to a fence. You can guess the rest." "And the old folks?" "Scalped Tex; and left in the dirt." "My trusted dog; Faithful?" "Terrible Tex. Just plain awful. The injuns put him on a spit and roasted him. Then they ate him." Tex was a tough cowboy, but couldn't hold back the tears. The Captain spoke. "The lads have been on the dusty trail for ages, and are in need of a pick-me-up. Now about that song you promised!"

Thanks for that explanation Bannork. I thought it could be the Magnesium at work. The bigger ones are now 38cm in circumference; measured around, about one metre up. But many of the eucas are a bit hesitant. If I had to do the same again, I would pay far more attention to the actual planting. If the roots get damaged - easily done when dealing in thousands with a team that simply wants to finish quickly - they are very slow to grow for 12 months or so. Even now there are a few hundred that are not gonna cut the mustard. Good you give the Mildred's new school the thumbs up. TBH, kids either want to soak up the teaching or they don't. That's not to criticize. I didn't find real inclination to learn anything until well into my 20s. I think she would do OK in most local schools. Right now, Mildred is doing her painting; and perhaps she will blossom there. http://numbervillage.com/art/artmain Most kids show some aptitude and enthusiasm for something or other; be it art, music, sport etc. I feel it's our duty to give our children the support they need, to at least be confident in themselves. This is especially true in a foreign land, where the odds are stacked against certain sections of society. w

Just a bit more on this growing taller malarkey. For the last couple of months I've been taking 500 mg of Magnesium a day. I hurt my hip when on exercise with special forces in the desert. It had been playing me up bad the last couple of years. To the point - in February - where I couldn't lift my left knee higher than a couple of inches. The Magnesium has eased it about 80% I'd say. Now I can at least put on a pair of shorts without sitting down. Can't think of anything else that could do it.

No! I'm getting taller. Just measured myself; 1-92. I was considerably shorter when younger. I put it down to food, water and lack of exercise. Maybe climate change too; as Mildred says. Ah yes! Chest hairs. They are longer than a lot of other body hair. But these arm hairs are exceptional. I'll get some pics done and post.

Yes CL. All sorted. I used to do everything myself, but stopped working off of ladders a year or so ago. As I'm getting older I do find some things too chalanging. Climbing those Yang Na trees would be out of the question. If I was back in Dagenham, the annual Xmax Day swim across to Kent from Dagenaham Dock jetty would be a 'no no' too. Even when I last did it I caught the ferry back. The tide was too strong. Although some toughies did manage the two-way.