Diary of a farang in Isaan

[owl sees all]

33 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Drive belts and hands… ????

im so glad you’ve retired from ladders Owl ????????

Yes! The belt drive. It was flapping about, so I grabbed hold of it and my hand went between the belt and the drive. Plenty of blood. plenty of scars, but no broken bones fortunately. That was about 6 years ago.

 

The bike accident was my own fault. I was on me push-bike and was holding onto a three-wheeler taxi to get a pull along. Wheel went down a hole and caused be to slide along on the red stone for a few yards.

 

I've learn my lessons on safety. Kadlilo was always giving me a yak yak, but he has departed.

 

 

[HighPriority]

I almost did the same with my ride on mower the first time the drive belt for the cutting blades came off… I didn’t realize that the drive pulley was a direct drive from the motor ????????????‍♂️
The belt came off, I had a quick look and stuck my hands in… the horrible sensation of my goolies retracting to my innards as my fingers found the spinning pulley !!

Eek !

Eek !!

Eek !!!

Sometimes we get lucky ????????
 

Is @Kadillo still lurking ? 
 

[farmerjo]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Shopped about for fertilizer today. 0-0-60 was on offer for 1800 baht. Same price for 46-0-0. Found a 21-5-21 on sale for 1500 baht. Some of that had been stored away for a couple if years, going by the deterioration of it and its location in the warehouse.. Probably bought it in for 500 baht a sack.

It's terrible at the moment Owl.

I'm using 21-0-0 on the rice this year as opposed to 46-0-0.

Still get the nitrogen but slow releasing which is probably better.

And half the price.????

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, farmerjo said:

It's terrible at the moment Owl.

I'm using 21-0-0 on the rice this year as opposed to 46-0-0.

Still get the nitrogen but slow releasing which is probably better.

And half the price.????

Not even sure we will do rice this year. Only two rai. Last year was pitiful. But with the rain so far things look better. We got a yield of 40 sacks from the same area about 7/8 years ago.

 

How much are you paying for the 21-0-0 Jo?

[bannork]

3 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Have to be careful out there Bannork. Generally I am not. Apart from a couple of injuries; one due to a bike crash and t'other when I caught my hand in a belt drive at the farm, I've been lucky.

 

I did get stung by a wasp/hornet a couple of years back. My hand swelled up so much I couldn't touch me little finger with me thumb.. Gradually went back to normal after a few hours though.

 

Shopped about for fertilizer today. 0-0-60 was on offer for 1800 baht. Same price for 46-0-0. Found a 21-5-21 on sale for 1500 baht. Some of that had been stored away for a couple if years, going by the deterioration of it and its location in the warehouse.. Probably bought it in for 500 baht a sack.

 

I'm all for going natural. Mrs Owl wouldn't hear of it.

Yes, prices have doubled on chemical fertilizers. Makes me glad our eight cows are generously contributing to our store of organic fertilizer. Unfortunately with this rain, drying out fresh manure  seems months away.

There's one cow habit I wish a bovine expert could enlighten me on 

In the morning the brother-in- law cuts our Napier grass and I shred it through our machine before giving it to our cows in baskets.

They're very aware of this ritual, and once I raise the night netting around the cow pen, they jostle, in spite of being tied up, to gain an advantageous position once I hand out the baskets of grass 

But just before that moment, they all proceed to empty their large bladders in the pen, can't wait toll they're released to the fields.

I can understand that a belly full of priss can distract one from eating but why only go when the food arrives, and not before?

 

 

 

 

[farmerjo]

32 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Not even sure we will do rice this year. Only two rai. Last year was pitiful. But with the rain so far things look better. We got a yield of 40 sacks from the same area about 7/8 years ago.

 

How much are you paying for the 21-0-0 Jo?

880 baht locally here.

Ban Dung you should be able to get for 8-850 baht i would think.

[owl sees all]

3 minutes ago, farmerjo said:

880 baht locally here.

Ban Dung you should be able to get for 8-850 baht i would think.

Right you are Jo.

 

Have to go to Ban Dung tomorrow. I'll shop around.

[owl sees all]

38 minutes ago, bannork said:

Yes, prices have doubled on chemical fertilizers. Makes me glad our eight cows are generously contributing to our store of organic fertilizer. Unfortunately with this rain, drying out fresh manure  seems months away.

There's one cow habit I wish a bovine expert could enlighten me on 

In the morning the brother-in- law cuts our Napier grass and I shred it through our machine before giving it to our cows in baskets.

They're very aware of this ritual, and once I raise the night netting around the cow pen, they jostle, in spite of being tied up, to gain an advantageous position once I hand out the baskets of grass 

But just before that moment, they all proceed to empty their large bladders in the pen, can't wait toll they're released to the fields.

I can understand that a belly full of priss can distract one from eating but why only go when the food arrives, and not before?

 

 

 

 

I visited a farm a couple of years back, that had a shredder/chomping machine. They fed the cows a lot of sugar; which was all they seemed to be chomping up when I was there.

 

Cows looked very healthy.

[CharlieH]

Posts removed.

Do not discuss other members please.

 

25) No public discussion is allowed with regard to other forum members, as well as to advertisements or sponsors, or methods of blocking advertisements.

[DJ54]

Always an enjoyable read… something to look forward to…

[farmerjo]

Well done Owl,your pinned now.

Hope many good reports to come.????

 

[owl sees all]

On 5/17/2022 at 7:36 PM, farmerjo said:

It's terrible at the moment Owl.

I'm using 21-0-0 on the rice this year as opposed to 46-0-0.

Still get the nitrogen but slow releasing which is probably better.

And half the price.????

Bought the fertilizer yesterday.

 

37 x 50kg sacks; exactly 30,000 baht. Gonna get delivered today. I'll need a bit of help storing it away into the water tank. Two different mixes. One potassium based, and the other a mix of calcium and magnesium.

 

I'll get some pics of the bags later and post.

 

 

[owl sees all]

World's in a mess.

 

Hazel sums it up well.

 

 

Edited May 19, 2022 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

Fertilizer arrived at 4-30 this afternoon.

 

25x5okg Calcium and 12x50kg potassium. 37 sacks in all:

 

 

Into the water-tank store.

 

 

Wow! That was hard graft.

 

 

 

[CharlieH]

Off topic post removed.

 

 

[bannork]

A Thai scarecrow

[Tippaporn]

Long story as to how I got here to post these pics but as we all know, one thing leads to another to another to another and before I know it here I am.

I took these pics about 5 years back somewhere at a petrol station between Korat and Khon Kaen on my way to our house in Huai Mek.  It's a fantastic piece of farm equipment but I don't know what it is.  Can anyone here identify it?

 

Edit:  FYI, checking to make sure the links work I found that one needs to click on the arrow icon at the top right of each link.
 

 

 

Edited May 21, 2022 by Tippaporn

[HighPriority]

2 hours ago, Tippaporn said:

Long story as to how I got here to post these pics but as we all know, one thing leads to another to another to another and before I know it here I am.

I took these pics about 5 years back somewhere at a petrol station between Korat and Khon Kaen on my way to our house in Huai Mek.  It's a fantastic piece of farm equipment but I don't know what it is.  Can anyone here identify it?

 

Edit:  FYI, checking to make sure the links work I found that one needs to click on the arrow icon at the top right of each link.
 

 

 

Hi Tippaporn, it looks like a blinged up grain harvesting machine to my untrained eye… and being the land of smiles I’d be guessing a rice harvesting machine.

The machine would be on the truck backwards, so the wire barrel is the front of the machine threshes the grain from the stalk and the boom on the top swings out to a trailer towed behind to catch the grain.

The tracks are for not getting bogged in the mud.

 

I wonder if it’s an exceptional home conversion or if it’s a blinged up commercially manufactured machine ?

(Site won’t let me insert a link) Google John Deere combine harvester ????????

 

[Tippaporn]

38 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Hi Tippaporn, it looks like a blinged up grain harvesting machine to my untrained eye… and being the land of smiles I’d be guessing a rice harvesting machine.

The machine would be on the truck backwards, so the wire barrel is the front of the machine threshes the grain from the stalk and the boom on the top swings out to a trailer towed behind to catch the grain.

The tracks are for not getting bogged in the mud.

 

I wonder if it’s an exceptional home conversion or if it’s a blinged up commercially manufactured machine ?

(Site won’t let me insert a link) Google John Deere combine harvester ????????

A grain harvester was my first impression as well.  I would hate to own that and put it to actual use given what I imagine to be a ludicrous amount of time needed to clean the damn thing. 

Were I to read Thai I might make sense of this clue.

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, Tippaporn said:

A grain harvester was my first impression as well.  I would hate to own that and put it to actual use given what I imagine to be a ludicrous amount of time needed to clean the damn thing. 

Were I to read Thai I might make sense of this clue.

I reckon that is a multi-purpose rice harvester. OK for big flat farms. Around here they tend to be small paddies if one rai or so.

 

 

[HighPriority]

According to Google translate it’s his name (my assumption) and phone number

“Charoen Phatthana 089-9234345”

[HighPriority]

It definitely looks like an advertising display rather than a working machine ! ????

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 22-May-2022 - Sunday mid-dayish

 

Mildred starts her new school.

Buddha building goes to new heights.

Fertilizer delivered and put out into the farm.

Rain!

Mrs Owl big upset.

Trip to Udon.

 

It's been an eventful week. But as weeks go in Isaan, not bad at all.

 

Mildred has been going in the bus - both ways - since Tuesday. I try to meet her when the bus drops all the kids in the afternoon. But every morning I walk with her to the pick-up station.

 

On her first day Mrs Owl and me, went to the school to see where her classroom was located, and to generally look around (again).

 

 

Plenty of students. Mildred says there is over 3200. Can't say if that's correct. Might be. Lots of them about.

 

I wandered over to the new build. They have started block-work on the middle floor, but it seems slow progress to me.

 

 

Then we found Mildred's classroom. Right up the top. Mrs Owl went up to see it. I stayed down stairs.

 

 

All this wet weather is bringing out the snakes. Mildred said there was one at her school on Thursday, and I saw one at the farm. Not very long. About 16 inches and as fat as my finger.. But very dark; almost black. Tried to see where it went when it slithered off, but lost track of it. We are having the grass and foliage cut this week. I fear for it. Also seen a couple flattened on the road; unfortunate to slide across at the wrong time.

 

Three of us went Udon in the week. Myself, the Mrs and her sister Pook. Had to go to the admin; district. Not been there since getting Mildred a passport a few years back. Parking was a big problem, and I stayed with the pick-up while the ladies sorted out the business for Grandma.

 

Pook wanted to go to the VIP shop, but wanted to eat first. After food it was my turn to go somewhere. "Only for a minute Pook." "OK - I like VIP." So it was onto the Chinese Quarter; koi carp spotting. Pook had never visited before and I think she enjoyed the experience.

 

 

 

 

Splashed out on some fish food.

 

 

Speaking of koi-carp. The big garage on the 2022, just going into Ban Dung, has some nice fish.

 

 

Gonna have some food with me next time I go there.

 

The fertilizer arrived and was stored in number two water-tank overnight.

 

 

Then in early afternoon we transferred what was left to number three.

 

 

I wanted to help, but the boss (in blue) insisted that I simply observed.

 

 

The grass needs bringing under control.

 

 

This time we went for potassium and calcium.

 

 

 

Who knows what it will be next time. Will there even be any fertilizer to be had? Germany is one of the biggest suppliers, and they get their raw materials mostly from Ukraine; enough said!

 

Time for China to step in. Although I am hearing that Isaan has an abundance of pot-ash. Interesting that!

 

The lilies in Mildred's pond are simply fantastic.

 

 

The village twins always give me a wave when I pass by.

 

 

"Eh oh!"

 

I think the superstructure of the Buddha build is near completion. Mrs Owl says it's gonna be a restaurant. Think there is gonna be a big sign at the top. 'Half price 'som tam'", or something similar. We will be able to eat and feed the fish at the same time.

 

 

I'll be there on open day.

 

We have a little fruit at the farm. I don't like it at all. But Mrs Owl loves it.

 

 

Getting it is not so easy. The fruit is protected by an army of thorns.

 

 

Don't seem to bother the birds though. Is that a budgie nest?

 

 

The cassava farm next to us has really done well with the rain this year.

 

 

Found a really nice tree in number one farm. Measured it at 36cm. This rain will see the trees shooting up. Although girth is more important. Too much height and some bend over, and it's a job to straighten them. It's because they are so fast growing. Become top-heavy.

 

 

We might measure a couple of trees in number four today. The biggest few will measure 40cm. Next week will be the two year anniversary for them.

 

Mrs Owl said that someone had taken some rice from the store. The lock was open on Friday when we went to get two sacks of rice. I think she didn't shut it last time. But No! she insisted that the lock had been forced open. "Someone take rice, Nine sacks." She wanted to take out all the rice then and there and store it at her mothers, I had to think quickly. "I'll get a new heavy-duty lock teerak; tomorrow." And so I did. Nice robust one for 180 baht. Put it in place last evening. Fortunately she has calmed down a lot.
 

Fixed up the 3inch water pump, and it's ready to go. I'm trying to judge things so that Mildred is about when we remove the fish. Looks like next week end now.

 

Rained last night. Just enough to dissolve the fertilizer and get it into the ground; but not too much to wash it all away.

 

Footy round up.

Thailand play Turkmenistan later today. And next up is Bahrain. Sunderland to play in the Championship next season. Last day of the EPL today. All a late kick off. Absolute nonsense that. Should all kick off at 2pm. Too late for me. Must get my beauty sleep. Pick the results up in the morning. Big shocks for some!

 

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

 

Edited May 22, 2022 by owl sees all

[DJ54]

Thanks Owl… hate to hear about the rice hopefully whomever will fess up and replace it… 

[owl sees all]

51 minutes ago, DJ54 said:

Thanks Owl… hate to hear about the rice hopefully whomever will fess up and replace it… 

I know how hard it is to break open a lock. But it is an old one and there are keys for it about. Best that I bought a new one. Thetre is also the possibility that Mrs Owl didn't shut it last time.

 

Hopefully it is sorted now.

 

People do sneak around in the night. I don't think I'll ever see our two rods and reels again. Concerned with losing our fish now. We have mekongs that are well over a metre long. they can't be replaced like a rod and reel.

 

[HighPriority]

Surely some rock salt and a shottie would keep the Coi safe Owl ? ????

Or maybe one of our forum friends who pops in from time to time might be looking for a part time gig as a toe cutter… ?

[owl sees all]

19 hours ago, HighPriority said:

Surely some rock salt and a shottie would keep the Coi safe Owl ? ????

Or maybe one of our forum friends who pops in from time to time might be looking for a part time gig as a toe cutter…

We don't now live at the farm; as we once did many years ago.

 

We left after our house in the village was converted. There were a couple of guys staying there at night after that for years. That came to an end when we lost or ducklings (early days on this thread; 2019), and I got our resident out. I think he sold them. He said that a dog came over and ate them.

 

I think there are a couple of options on the deterrent theme. I rule out keeping a tiger or croc', as they can be unpredictable, and in any case, they have to be fed and looked after. Electric fencing, run off solar panels, would be a financial over-kill also. I am seriously thinking of creating a ghost. A peelaw! To be more precise; a legend/myth of one.. Word would get around and that would scare the pants off anyone who fancied a free mekong or koi, as a midnight snack, while the Lao Khow was being swigged.

 

But initially, there would have to be a convincing mock-up. Can't just make it up. Well, if it came from a person of authority in a uniform? But he/she would want payment, so I reject that thought.

 

How to do it? Been watching Scooby Doo recently for inspiration. A big white sheet, some lights and some serious sound, would be in order. Perhaps an electric scooter, with the passenger holding something in the air, while ghostie sounds blared out, could do the job. When the Buddha - in one of the adjacent farms - are having an evening prayer session? That could be a good time?

 

Any tips and advice would be welcome

Edited May 23, 2022 by owl sees all

[HighPriority]

I’ve no doubt you’ll pull it off too Owl, unless some meddling kids get wind of it…

????

[bannork]

The really desperate or dedicated rice thieves drill a hole from below through the floorboards of the rice barn ( often they're a few feet above the ground), emptying the sacks into their own below.

[CharlieH]

3 hours ago, owl sees all said:

We don't now live at the farm; as we once did many years ago.

 

We left after our house in the village was converted. There were a couple of guys staying there at night after that for years. That came to an end when we lost or ducklings (early days on this thread; 2019), and I got our resident out. I think he sold them. He said that a dog came over and ate them.

 

I think there are a couple of options on the deterrent theme. I rule out keeping a tiger or croc', as they can be unpredictable, and in any case, they have to be fed and looked after. Electric fencing, run off solar panels, would be a financial over-kill also. I am seriously thinking of creating a ghost. A peelaw! To be more precise; a legend/myth of one.. Word would get around and that would scare the pants off anyone who fancied a free mekong or koi, as a midnight snack, while the Lao Khow was being swigged.

 

But initially, there would have to be a convincing mock-up. Can't just make it up. Well, if it came from a person of authority in a uniform? But he/she would want payment, so I reject that thought.

 

How to do it? Been watching Scooby Doo recently for inspiration. A big white sheet, some lights and some serious sound, would be in order. Perhaps an electric scooter, with the passenger holding something in the air, while ghostie sounds blared out, could do the job. When the Buddha - in one of the adjacent farms - are having an evening prayer session? That could be a good time?

 

Any tips and advice would be welcome

Glow in the dark theatre make up ! black clothes and just walk around the area on a few different nights.  ????..