owl sees all

Bit adrift with the Owl Logs. For the last couple of weeks I've been feeling lousy. Since Tuesday I've spent more time in bed than out. Can't see any improvement in the last few days either. Thanks for sticking with the thread guys. Take care out there.

let's hope there are a few more results like this. The EPL needs a big shake up.

'That's a great result Bannork. I know so little about the plant/tree that I cannot offer any worthwhile advice on rearing them. Do keep us posted on developments.

Don't break sweat now!

Looks great bud'.

You could be right there Lacessit. That moving things and not saying can drive you mad. My Mrs does it with and money. It was in my pocket and it moved to her purse. Simply magic!! Overthinking is not just a Thai lady thing. When we are here (in Thailand) for long periods we can get afflicted with the same things that earlier we said were nonsense.. There are some things that I stand my ground on though, and will not change. One of these is rubbish. A few years ago I took the boss of our village to a meeting in Phen (near Nong Khai). He sat in the back of the pick-up with his wife; my Mrs was in the front. I noticed that he was looking for somewhere to put his empty water bottle. I was just about to ask Mrs Owl to take it off him, when he shoved it out of the window. I stopped the pick-up and quickly went back, picked the bottle up and threw it into the back. Nothing was said until we got back.to the village a couple of hours later. Then the Mrs cut loose. she went on and on about how I made the boss feel small and hurt his feelings. Later he brought round a pack of water to our house. A subtle thanks I reckon. Not for the lift either. A few weeks later we started having weekly rubbish collections. It turned out that the meeting that I took him to was about the starting up of rubbish collections. I'd like to think that the little act - even though it caused me to be in the dog-house for weeks - helped to clean up the village. Although judging by the amount of <deleted> scattered around right now, I doubt it. But it was 12 years ago; so have slipped back into the norm. Anyway. Where were we? Yes I remember now; overthinking.

No! We are barefoot in the house. I'm sure it is because I'm getting taller and I'm forgetting to lower the head as I pass from the utility to the bathroom. Did check the height some time ago 6 foot three inches,

'Long avocados'. So that's what they are known as! You are bang on the money about the food. Moderation in life is best. Just a little will see us through. Be that avocadoes, Reishi wine (fortified with Lao Khow), excitement, beer, bananas or exercise. I've noticed that this year my reflexes have gotten sharper. Went to the fridge the other day to get a cold drink. Took one out and it slipped through my fingers. You know that before it hit the ground, I had moved my foot out of the way. That's moderation for ya. Can't have enough of it. And I'm getting taller. It's true. For years I was walking into the bathroom without hitting my head. Now I can't walk through the door, unless I duck. Again; must put that down to moderate living.

I used to PM Iain with my selections. But sometimes when I was serving a suspension it would have to be email or through a third party. Is that OK with you Mr b?

Am I the only one thinking that the next covid variant will ruin the world cup?

Owl Log - 31-07-2022 - Sunday morning It was hot last week. Was helping BeeApp get things sorted at the farm, The heat was a bit too much for me on Thursday and I called it a day at 11ish. We were having a big tidy up ready for the grass cutting. A couple of other jobs also. I had been collecting stone to be used for road repair. I can see what you have done BeeApp; broken the seven pounder. Just too enthusiastic there mate. A couple more barrow loads should do this section. Every time I see a nice big stone, I check to see no-one's watching, and it's into the back of the pick-up with it. Better than buying stone from the concrete shop. I left BeeApp to it for the last job of the day. Putting in two 4 inchers between ponds 2 and 3, and 3 and 4. When some decent rain arrives, we should have the first four ponds completely full. While he was messing about putting in the pipes I sorted out the broken hammer. Poo wanted to help but she was just getting in the way. Didn't have much problem clearing the head of old debris. A bit of choppy-choppy and the head was fitted. first cutting a 'vee' for a wedge. Ready for a two minute soak to tighten everything up. Good to go for another couple of years. Going back to the farm in the afternoon, I caught the buffs being taken home. BeeApp got stuck into a bit of grass cutting yesterday. Not too much for a whole day but it was hot. Today (Sunday) is much cooler. Should see a fair bit done over the next couple of days. I'm informed that a cobra bite killed a young cow at the rear of us. There is a big cobra in the area. I've seen it twice. I reckon it's about 2 and a half metre long and dark. I was all for catching it a couple of years ago but no one else seemed interested. Perhaps now, with the cow death and Nadine and Nadill at their farm for a bit each day I might be able to get a posse together. Footy round up. It has started. Pick of the matches; Owls vs Pompey; 3-3. Burnley got off to a great start on Friday evening away against The Terriers. Orient had a comfortable home win. My tip for promotion to the EPL, Watford, play later. Liverpool won against City at the King Power. What a bit of common sense that is from the FA for a change. Better than forcing Liverpool and Manchester fans to travel to London for a friendly!? Should have rented out Old Trafford, or toffee's ground, for a day; even better. Got more fans in. Why subject the fans to unnecessary expense in these times? Obviously the FA have the fans interests at heart. And why the switch? England ladies vs German lasses this afternoon. Last week was hot. Reckon it got to 40c+ every day. Drop of rain last evening cooled things down a bit. Very pleasant today. A local guy we know stopped a few days ago, and told us that he had seen our escapee yellow budgie at his farm earlier. I went along but couldn't see it. Good to know it is OK though. Mildred has had four days off school. She doesn't get the homework that she did at the last. They dabble in Japanese and Chinese at this school. Don't really know what to make of it. Her latest test results; English 95%, Science 60%, Maths 75%. No new news about the swimming. By the time she goes the cozzy won't fit her. She is still keeping on with her art. One painting half finished this long week-end. www.mildredart.com Our canopy is falling apart. Probably have to get a new one soon. Still not done anything for the birds. Could try to repair it. But I reckon I'd be on a loser. Just too far gone. So it's hand into pocket time; again. Had to replace a part on the gas supply in the kitchen. It's all money; 480 baht. Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

Give them a go Bannork. I would think about planting them in areas where they get the relentless sun for hours on end. Have a look at the market next Thursday (4th). The horticultural section doesn't seemed to have suffered since the move from the town centre. Please let us know how you get on with the trees. Plenty of Dunder and Blitzen last evening. Not so much rain.

I'll never get to grips with a durian. Makes me feel ill thinking of them. I eat avocadoes regularly, but find that too much of them give me heartburn. The new shape of the avo is a bit disconcerting. Why have they started growing them like this? I don't disagree about some fruits not being the most healthy; I just like grapes. And of course they are useful for something else. If you eat too many bananas they can kill you. I used to eat well over 30 a day once. These were small - a big as ya thumb - but incredibly tasty.

Just spoke to Mrs Owl, and she says that "durian 'cannot' grow in Isaan." Don't know too much about it, but I have heard that durian do not do well here. Is that because of the long hot Isaan summers, or something else, like lack of water in the dry season? Last dry season it was dry for 119 consecutive days.. I'm sure a farmer or two on here has had experience of growing Durian, We planted one over 10 years ago and it didn't even see a birthday.

You have obviously been whacked with the Thai sense of humour stick. Durian is only topped by that fruit Noni. Generally called stink fruit. There are some Thai fruits that I enjoy. That big as a football orange, grapefruity thing is OK. And fresh king fruit is also nice. Yam lai is a good snack as is lychee as you say. Red dragon fruit is OK now and again. Don't like the white one. My three favourite fruits are; grapes, cherries and a nice juicy English apple. Used to live off bananas when I lived in the Caribbean. Only eat one now if I'm starving and there's nothing else.

The 'number 4' market is just a week away. Well worth a look Bannork. Reckon you could get what you need there. At bargain prices too. You probably know it as well as me. I don't like durians. The smell reminds me of stale petrol. And the taste!!! Only once, about 14 years ago. Don't think it's changed since then. Orrible! Also those twits that say durian is the 'king of fruits' get on my tits. Everyone knows that the 'king of fruits' is the humble grape. I think they say it just to wind us farangs up.

You are not wrong there. It is 7 in the morning and already it's 28c. Looks like another scorcher today Those people back in the UK don't know what 'hot' is. I'm reading that there are fires in my old stomping areas of Dagenhan East and Wennington (just east of Rainham). Think someone is starting these fires. Some funny things happening in the UK at the mo'.

01 Man City 02 Arsenal 03 Liverpool 04 The Irons 05 Chelsea 06 Forest Time the top six were changed.

Owl Log 27-07-2022 - Wednesday afternoon Three deliveries since the last Owl Log. Two fishing reels and an art folder for Mildred. Decided not to leave the rods with reels at the farm, Gonna keep them at home. Don't want to tempt fate any more than necessary. Took three rods back from the farm. . A smaller reel for the farm fishing and a more robust one if we go to a fishing park sometime. All ready for action. Mildred has a long week-end at the end of the month. Try our luck with the pla nin then. Would not even think of fishing for the beautiful mekongs. It would be betraying them. vid feed mekongs.mp4 And Mildred's folder. The last one is now filled up with 50 paintings/drawings. The pond next to our road is completely full now. Spotted a fishing lady yesterday. We can see you. Hiding under the tree. I'm still looking at pond 6 for clues on the fish deaths. Can't see anything amiss at all. The lilies are doing great, and everything seems natural and normal. Next pond along - number 7 - is also looking good. Those rats are sneaky. They can't get past the wire mesh but they can get their teeth into the sacks and try to pull them over. Gonna have over 70/80 sacks arriving after this year's harvest. The 40 or so in the store will have to be sold off. Price is 9 baht a kilo at the mo'. If it gets to 12 baht, it'll be time to take it all to Ban Dung. Not given up on turkeys, ducks or goats. But Mrs Owl is not interested in anything at the farm. I go nearly every day, and Mildred about three times a week, but the Mrs only visits once every two weeks. Then she moans about this and that. But the turkeys a.re still about. Mildred's special euca and pineapple are still doing good. Will have to pull the euca over soon to miss the roof. The nut bunches on the number one oil palm keep growing. If the price of nuts keep at around 10 baht, I'll be well pleased The price of cooking oil and palm oil is ridiculous right now. Over 60 baht a litre. A year ago it was cheaper than diesel at around 22 baht. I knew someone who was putting onto their pick-up. Not me of course. The Buddha at the end of the super-highway is having a fair bit of work done. New walls. Bricks at the ready. And the other side of the soon-to-be grand entrance. No sitting down on the job now. Our biggest euca is by default. I just happened to put the wire the other side of the tree a few years back. Anyway; it's grand. Also grand are the avoes outside the house. The biggest one is an inch in diameter at the base. Nadine - or is it Nadil - is the daring one. Got the makings of a Hells Angel. vid riding on car.mp4 Next drizzle is forecast for the week-end. Don't want this month to go out with a whimper. Rain where are you? Forget India, forget China; come to Isaan (Ban Dung area). Footy round up. The three divisions start up at the week-end. Starting with the northern clash of Huddersfield and Burnley. The ladies reach the euro finals. Well done girls. Just the Germans, or French, to beat now. Had a wager on PP. Through my daughter is England I must add. Ipswich, Watford and Swindon all to get promoted. Easy money! Sadness with the death of footy enthusiast, and Liverpool supporter, Iain Walsh. Known to all on here as Wilai. Rest peacefully fella. Got it wrong about Penny Mordaunt. Had a butchers but couldn't see no 20-1; so came away. Saved two squids there. She has gone and now it's Liz and Rishi. Mask wearing gradually lessening in Ban Dung. No-one wearing them in the village for a couple of weeks now. The Mrs has been nagging me to get cannabis oil. She wants to mix it with aloe vera for her skin. I said "Mrs Owl! That stuff would be wasted on you." She flashed me that big-eyed Thai wife look. "What you say farang?" I thought quickly. "You are lovely as you are teerak. You don't need anything more to make you more beautiful." Seemed to satisfy her. Close call. But still have to get some oil from somewhere. Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

I agree about Cloughie. We didn't need Lingard for this season. Talent everywhere, and not the talent you are on about in '87. Forest and Pool also had some good battles back then. Forest were the last club to be champions after being promoted. Always like them.

It's about time the big six were smashed. Can't see past Man City for the title, but this could be the year for others. I'd quite like to see Forest do well too.

RIP bro.

Live up country; near the mekong river. East London and Essex growing up. Played for the army and semi-pro until retiring at 42. Reached the last 16 of Paddy Power's Last Man Standing a few years back. Look forward to seeing The Irons get into the top 4 this coming season 2022/23.

Thanks for that Rick. Been considering all the possibilities. I've been around fish and fishing ponds for many years and I've usually found clues when fish deaths occur like this. I rule out disease, as it was all too sudden, and in any case these fish were healthy and put into a healthy pond. If it had been oxygen levels, I would have seen signs of this before hand. fish deprived of oxygen have their mouths open when kicking the bucket more often than not. Also they would have been noticed gasping for air at the surface. A lightening strike hitting the pond! Possible; but no storm in the 24 hours leading up to the find. Although a lot of fish die. There was not an excessive amount for a pond of that size. In the UK we would use the maxim; one kg of fish to one cubic metre of water.. The fish were not crowed at all. Ant there is healthy plant life. So that leaves a toxin or poison as the culprit. The pond is flanked by a pond on either side. A dirt road at one end, and quite a way back, the euca plantation at the far end. I don't think that there could have been an accidental poisoning. Ponds one and two get the run off from the plantation. They are both fine. And this pond was the only on affected. My dosh is on a deliberate action, by someone unknown (at the moment). What toxin or poison? Well no sign of oil or film of any sort so I'm guessing it would have been water soluble. I've taken some water samples and I'll try to get an analysis at the Provincial Fishery Udon Thani. Might also try the Agricultural University - also in Udon - for an answer. This all begs the question! Who would do such a thing? I've got my suspicions. Mrs Owl thinks the same person also. We will see.

Owl Log 17-07-2022 - Sunday morning Can't complain about the rain. This week has been good. Next rain forecast is for Tuesday morning. Fingers crossed. The mekongs are a joy. They race over as soon as either me or Mildred arrive on the scene with the bag of grub. Mrs Owl has been at the farm picking the fruit. First job is to clean out the pick-up. I will say, she is far better at that than me. Not that I've ever tried. It gradually gets filled with junk that I pick up from the farm. The rubbish just gets chucked in the back, until Mrs Owl wants it clean. The Mrs also had to get into the rice store for 5 sacks. Someone in the village was off to Bangkok and wanted to take some rice with them for the family there. Much cheaper to do it this way than buy the rice in the capital. Might get the 5 sacks replaced after the harvest. All sorted. Time to get down. "You want me to help you teerak?" Mildred's been off school most of the week, and it gave her time to finish a couple of her paintings. This most recent was inspired by her Grand Ma's house; next door but one to us. www.mildredart.com Such imagination. When I was twelve, my thoughts were on fishing and how to catch the monster in my part of Essex. And bunking off school to collect bottles, for throwing in the Thames behind Barking Power Station. Then we would smash them with stones, as they bobbed about 30 metres out. Manchester United 4 - Liverpool 0. Looks like the Devils are on the move. Mrs Owl was well pleased as she supports them; big time. "Who is your favourite player at the moment teerak?" "Wayne Rooney." Can't argue with that. The avocado plantation outside the house was getting out of control. A bit of trimming was needed. That's better. Happy comes over to see us every day. We don't always have any food for him. Always likes a stroke; food or not. Not been feeling too good since last week end, when I took in a couple of lung fulls of insect killer while I was getting ride of the hornets in the farm kitchen. Didn't wear a mask or hold my breath for long enough. Only got one new sting though. Alongside my right eye. Still sore after a week. Feeling a bit poorly, I took the opportunity to go on a fast. Sunday afternoon - Last full meal Monday morning - a couple of biscuits Tuesday - nothing Wednesday - nothing Thursday - two boiled eggs and two slices of toast Friday - nothing Saturday - two boiled eggs Sunday (today) - two boiled eggs and two slices of toast. Been drinking lots of water during this time. About three litres a day at least. Also resting up a lot. Feeling much better now. Back to normal today. Another death in the village. Patong's father; just 65, and quite sudden. He was a bit a grafter at his farm. I'm told. Everyone baffled! Had a nice surprise this morning. I was changing the budgie's dishes and 'White bird' sat on my finger when I was putting the food pot in place. Still no progress on their aviary. Perhaps later in the week. Footy round-up. Rooney has gone to the US. Pogba to Italy. Leeds losing their players. Fulham getting new recruits on the cheap. Mildred has just told me that this week she only has to go to school on two days; Tuesday and Thursday. Don't know why at the present. Teacher shortage? Exams? Covid? No problem with the leccy. Best to leave everything as it is. The English Queen's son, Charles, got a load of cash given him a while back in suitcases. Word has it that he engaged a local company, to his gaff in Scotland, to count it. And their bill? Seven thousand squids. I would have counted it for free. As long as they fed me haggis and passed me best single malt. And let me fish in their trout stream. Boris is gone! Well almost! Who will replace him? I'd like to see Tom Tugendhat. But I think Penny Mordaunt will get the gig. Ordered two fishing reels and a artists-carry-bag from Lazada. should get them early this week. Bit light on copy this week. Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.