Stocky

I need to obtain a Russian tourist visa for my partner so she can accompany me on a business trip I have to make to Kamchatka in January.

I'm currently in Russia she's in Hat Yai.

Does anyone know of a reliable agency that can do the leg work for us?

Let me answer my own question.

The process turned out to be far less painful than I'd feared, although this post elicited no replies, a PM from Condo_bk to another thread led to his company doing the application for us.

All that was needed was the 'invitation', this is an official invitation issued by an agency in Russia, my company organised this and a letter from the MD explaining the reasons and assuring that they would foot the bill. This was accompanied by a confirmation from the hotel of the hotel booking plus of course the completed visa application form with photograph.

My thanks to Condo_bk for his help.

Still no rain in the English Midlands, had a little light drizzle on the windscreen driving down to Cambridge today, but no rain.

I haven't seen rain in months, snow yes, but no rain. No doubt it will piss down when I get to Thailand next week...

..but will I care?

I don't think so!

It's a pain, but I have a selection of SIMs, which I change depending on the country I'm in.

Friends have a list of possible mobile numbers and don't mind phoning round until they find me.

It is a well know fact that farangs who can't keep their zippers closed are a major cause of the HIV/Aids epidemic that has been sweeping Thailand during the last 10 years or more.

Don't believe me, believe the facts.  etc

Sorry matey but I don't believe anything until I've seen the figures, can you give me your source.

My wife does a great deal of voluntary work with the less fortunate of her fellow countrymen in her capacity with th UN. I have know her to cry after visiting hospital wards full of thai girls/ ladies who have contracted HIV/Aids, following 'encounters' with farangs of a sexual nature.

I can't type anymore as my eyes are watering and a lump has developed in my throat.

Give me a break, I've got a lump in my throat....

..... I think I'm about to throw up!

Would you like a sick bag?

I take the absence of a defence as an admission that you accept your statement, "It is a well know fact that farangs who can't keep their zippers closed are a major cause of the HIV/Aids epidemic that has been sweeping Thailand during the last 10 years or more", is fallacious.

You forgot the myxomatosis rabbit!

Grey, cold and dry in the English Midlands, 2C, still no rain.

Cloudy and dry in Hat Yai, 29C, no rain.

It is a well know fact that farangs who can't keep their zippers closed are a major cause of the HIV/Aids epidemic that has been sweeping Thailand during the last 10 years or more.

"After peaking at around 140,000 cases in 1991, the number of new HIV infections in Thailand declined to an estimated 21,000 in 2003. This dramatic fall was mainly due to increased condom use by men and a reduction in their use of brothels. However, there is mounting evidence that HIV is now spreading largely among the spouses and partners of clients of sex workers, and among injecting drug users. It is estimated that in 2002, 50% of infections were the result of heterosexual transmission in cohabiting partnerships; 20% due to injecting drug use; 15% transmitted from mother to child; and 15% were associated with commercial sex."

source

Whilst 1.5% of Thai's maybe HIV positive, your suggestion that marauding farang are the major cause of "the HIV/Aids epidemic that has been sweeping Thailand" is fallacious.

It is a well know fact that farangs who can't keep their zippers closed are a major cause of the HIV/Aids epidemic that has been sweeping Thailand during the last 10 years or more.

Don't believe me, believe the facts.  etc

Sorry matey but I don't believe anything until I've seen the figures, can you give me your source.

My wife does a great deal of voluntary work with the less fortunate of her fellow countrymen in her capacity with th UN. I have know her to cry after visiting hospital wards full of thai girls/ ladies who have contracted HIV/Aids, following 'encounters' with farangs of a sexual nature.

I can't type anymore as my eyes are watering and a lump has developed in my throat.

Give me a break, I've got a lump in my throat....

..... I think I'm about to throw up!

I haven't seen rain in so long I can't remember. I'm not counting snow.

I've been back in the UK for just over a week and it's not rained.

Hat Yai's had a little rain, so maybe I'll see some in Thailand.

She's getting some seriously warm clothes to go visit Kamchatka in!

In the middle of Russia I'm a little short of English language newspapers so read my news online, I often listen to BBC Radio4 online as well.

My daily read consists of:

The Guardian - a good balance, owned by a trust not a media Mogul

The Independant - another balanced UK broadsheet

BBC News - accused by both the right and left of being biased so they must be getting it right!

BBC Radio4 - Today, World at One and PM also the Archers

International Herald Tribune - the best of the American press

CNN - you have to look in on them

Aljazeera - not impartial but no worse than Fox News

The Moscow Times - what's happening in my neck of the woods

I'll also take a look at The Nation online now and again.

Krasnoyarsk, Eastern Siberia, Russian Federation - 48%

Hat Yai, Songkla, Thailand - 30%

Stourbridge, West Midlands, UK - 22%

Bet it rains at 4.30 in Penang today...

Well ... did it ?

I dunno..my bladder is "tuned" to Bangkok

All quiet here in the English Midlands, a clear evening +7C.

Didn't speak to the little lady today so can only suggest Hat Yai is just a bit warmer.

3 weeks before I get back to Thailand.

My, my, how time slows when you don't want it to!

Weather Bulletin

Thankfully here in the warmth of the English Midlands, +5C this evening, sunny today with a high of +11C. No rain.

Russia

-10C when I left Moscow yesterday.

Hat Yai

High of +31C predicted fot Hat Yai today, Dec 1st, very humid, chance of a thunderstorm.

23:30 Eastern Siberia Weather Update

A still clear cool night, 0C.

A nice walk back from the restaurant tonight, snow not too slippy.

It's still snowing.

My penultimate morning weather bulletin from Siberia, for this year.

Cold -3C, cloudy with snow.

10cm of snow overnight.

Outlook snow, snow, snow ...............

News from Hat Yai.

Mostly cloudy +28C.

1am. Snowing heavily -8C.

Made it back from the pub.

Had to eat a couple of the huskies on the way.

8pm and it's -7C and snowing heavily.

Question, do I go for a pint or stay in?

Nothing on the telly and I've watched all the videos more than several times, but I could read a book.

Nah, I think it's Captain Oates time...

..."I am just going outside, and I may be some time."

Oh Jeezzzzzzzz us

You called?

Kraft Cheeses.

No.

Cheeses of Nazareth,

they make a very nice goats cheese.

Siberian Weather Watch

Slightly misty morning, light northerly breeze and -7C in my part of eastern Siberia.

Outlook remaining cold with light snow showers.

News from Hat Yai

Partly cloudy +26C, no rain.

Outlook good chance of thundery showers later in the day.

What about "plonker", "<deleted>", i can list hundreds of great words.

I like 'Fon Tok'

or is that another thread?

'Mother' deemed the most beautiful word in English

London 24 November 2004 Mother is the most beautiful word in the English language, according to a survey of over 40,000 overseas voters and learners of English at British Council teaching centres. The survey was conducted by the British Council to coincide with its 70th anniversary celebrations.

The British Council asked over 7,000 learners in 46 countries what they considered to be the most beautiful words in the English language. In addition an online poll was run via British Council websites in all non-English speaking countries. Over 35,000 people voted.

The list in full:

1. Mother

2. Passion

3. Smile

4. Love

5. Eternity

6. Fantastic

7. Destiny

8. Freedom

9. Liberty

10. Tranquillity

11. Peace

12. Blossom

13. Sunshine

14. Sweetheart

15. Gorgeous

16. Cherish

17. Enthusiasm

18. Hope

19. Grace

20. Rainbow

21. Blue

22. Sunflower

23. Twinkle

24. Serendipity

25. Bliss

26. Lullaby

27. Sophisticated

28. Renaissance

29. Cute

30. Cosy

31. Butterfly

32. Galaxy

33. Hilarious

34. Moment

35. Extravaganza

36. Aqua

37. Sentiment

38. Cosmopolitan

39. Bubble

40. Pumpkin

41. Banana

42. Lollipop

43. If

44. Bumblebee

45. Giggle

46. Paradox

47. Delicacy

48. Peekaboo

49. Umbrella

50. Kangaroo

51. Flabbergasted

52. Hippopotamus

53. Gothic

54. Coconut

55. Smashing

56. Whoops

57. Tickle

58. Loquacious

59. Flip-flop

60. Smithereens

61. Oi

62. Gazebo

63. Hiccup

64. Hodgepodge

65. Shipshape

66. Explosion

67. Fuselage

68. Zing

69. Gum

70. Hen-night

(I've looked, but I don't see Beer )

What would be the most beautiful word in Thai?

North of Bangkok; Still hot as h3ll. No rain.

I'm touching my boobs.

Oh god it's gone up...

...the temperature in Siberia that is!

Afternoon Weather Bulletin:

Siberia sunny and +3C, no rain.