Diary of a farang in Isaan

[owl sees all]

10 hours ago, sotonowl said:

Arsenal, but I had to look it up.

 

 

I'm not giving you the prize Owl. Arsenal were runners up three years on the trot.

 

The only club to have three third place finishes in a row was;;;;;;;;;;;  wait for it;;; Sheffield Wednesday 1931-33.

 

Just as a side dish. 4 clubs have done the triple in being runners-up. PNE 1891 -93. United 47-49. Peacocks 70-72. And the Gunners - as you said - 98-01.

[owl sees all]

5 hours ago, sotonowl said:

Now what was the biggest league 1/Division 3 gate Owl, did you find it?

 

There were 49k+ at the match between Owls and Blades in 1979. But I do recall a monster crowd at Villa Park one year. 57k sticks in me mind. I'll do some investigation.

[Sterling]

Owl, have you tried using the uBlock Origin extension in Firefox to get rid of the pop ups and ads?

I normally use pi-hole but when Im traveling I use uBlock Origin and very rarely get any popups or ads.

[sotonowl]

20 hours ago, owl sees all said:

I'm not giving you the prize Owl. Arsenal were runners up three years on the trot.

 

The only club to have three third place finishes in a row was;;;;;;;;;;;  wait for it;;; Sheffield Wednesday 1931-33.

 

Just as a side dish. 4 clubs have done the triple in being runners-up. PNE 1891 -93. United 47-49. Peacocks 70-72. And the Gunners - as you said - 98-01.

Whoops, sorry Owl, my bad. I obviously read that wrong, sorry.

[sotonowl]

19 hours ago, owl sees all said:

 

There were 49k+ at the match between Owls and Blades in 1979. But I do recall a monster crowd at Villa Park one year. 57k sticks in me mind. I'll do some investigation.

Wouldn't know about the Villa Park game Owl, I've always understood it to be the game at Hillsborough on that Boxing Day, commonly referred to as the Boxing Day Massacre. Be interesting to find out the truth though.

 

Just as an aside, would you happen to know the score at that game at Hillsborough in 1979? I mean, the attendance is a nice to have, but ultimately it's all about the result isn't it?

[owl sees all]

5 hours ago, sotonowl said:

Wouldn't know about the Villa Park game Owl, I've always understood it to be the game at Hillsborough on that Boxing Day, commonly referred to as the Boxing Day Massacre. Be interesting to find out the truth though.

 

Just as an aside, would you happen to know the score at that game at Hillsborough in 1979? I mean, the attendance is a nice to have, but ultimately it's all about the result isn't it?

Of course I know the score in that Bxn Day match.  Remember it well; 4-0 to Owls. Revenge for that 7-3 thrashing the Blades inflicted a couple of years earlier.

 

Very close contest; the Sheffield clashes. Owls 48 wins. Blades 49 wins. Draws 47.

 

Still looking for that Villa Park gate.

Edited March 23 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

11 hours ago, Sterling said:

Owl, have you tried using the uBlock Origin extension in Firefox to get rid of the pop ups and ads?

I normally use pi-hole but when Im traveling I use uBlock Origin and very rarely get any popups or ads..

I have not tried what you suggested Sterling. Although I've switched to Opera to get away from them. I was using 'Brave' before, but since switching to Linux, I can't install it.

 

I'm not against adds at all. I understand that it is often a life-line to keep a site afloat. BUT!! Pop ups just pizz people off. They either never respond to them. Put in a pop-up blocker. Or leave the site for good.

[owl sees all]

7 hours ago, sotonowl said:

Wouldn't know about the Villa Park game Owl, I've always understood it to be the game at Hillsborough on that Boxing Day, commonly referred to as the Boxing Day Massacre. Be interesting to find out the truth though.

 

 

Think I've sorted it out.

 

Villa v Chesterfield, League Div 3 match, on May-5th-72. Gate of 45,734. Villans won 1-0. They also got a gate of 48k+ for their match against Bournemouth that same season. Won promotion to Div 2.

 

There was a 57k+ crowd at Villa Park for the last match of the season in April 1975 against Black Cats. But it was Div 2; not Div 3. 2-0 to the home team. Mind playing tricks on me with that one.

 

Interestingly:

 

April 7th 1947 3rd Div South. Cardiff City v Bristol City 49,310.

 

Attendance at Hull v Rotherham on Xmas day 1948; 54,652. 3-2 to Hull. Div 3 Nth.

 

Can't see that ever being beaten now; with the more seating trend. Unless one of the big-gate boys go down. Irons. Gunners, Spurs, United etc.

Edited March 23 by owl sees all

[sotonowl]

12 hours ago, owl sees all said:

couple of years earlier.

A couple of years? I can't remember that one. I've been watching Wednesday since 1963 and I've racked my brains trying to remember it. The Boxing Day Massacre is part of the folklore now, but surely if a 7-3 to the grunters was a couple of years prior to 79 they'd surely have reminded us of it. And I'm sure I'd have remembered it as well.

[owl sees all]

15 hours ago, sotonowl said:

A couple of years? I can't remember that one. I've been watching Wednesday since 1963 and I've racked my brains trying to remember it. The Boxing Day Massacre is part of the folklore now, but surely if a 7-3 to the grunters was a couple of years prior to 79 they'd surely have reminded us of it. And I'm sure I'd have remembered it as well.

You must have been asleep that day Owl. I remember it well.

 

7-3 to the Blades. It wasn't the Owl's best month as two weeks later Rotherham put 5 past them. Could dish out the goals also. they put put 6 in the net; without reply, three times that season. Hull, Notts County and my beloved  Irons were all well done up like kippers by the rampant Owls in that 1951/52 season..

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 24th March 2024 - Sunday afternoon

 

After the dancing, comes the rave-up. But first a little lighting has to be sorted.

 

 

 

 

Mildred and the Mrs went along in the morning. 'Very quiet' they said.

 

 

I popped in later at 3ish. The place was rocking.

 

 

 

 

 

Time for a little refreshment and grub.

 

 

Nice lady recommended a delicacy. Something on a stick. ''You want spicy sauce on it farang?'' ''No thanks. Looks good as it is dear.''

 

Very scrummie.

 

 

Back to watch the dancing girls.

 

 

And at 4-30, on the dot, it was all over.

 

Good to see they put all the thrash in one place.

 

 

At the farm it was 'stage 4' of the solar water system.

 

 

Put in new pipework, and buried a PVC under the road.

 

 

Fixed the down-pipe to not move.

 

 

 

Water is looking good. 1.5 liters a second. That'll do fine. First water at 9-30am. Last water at 16-40pm. That all depends on the sun, but as we get closer to mid-summer, the water should not lessen. Unless there is heavy cloud. and that could mean rain. 

 

 

Moved the pipe back to number 5 pond.

 

 

Just about done now. This week it's the system in number 2 farm to sort out.

 

Also put in a flight of steps leading to the equipment store. Thinking of putting in a hand-rail. 

 

 

Put in a couple more spacers under the panels. To stop any movement in windy conditions.

 

 

Also a leveler from pond 5 to 6.

 

 

The plan is to fill just one pond and let it sort itself out.

 

 

Another little job completed. Chopped down the euca that was running wild, and growing under the house roof.

 

 

Robert always goes to the farm with me. Sometimes inside. This time in the back.

 

 

Fortunately he is good with the chickens. Which is just as well, cause there are hundreds in every direction at the farm.

 

 

Didn't know chickens liked water-melon. 

 

 

Or are they just plain hungry!

 

Picked up the MoT badge in the week. The iggies were out from their hining place.

 

 

 

What's the difference between an iguana and a chameleon? Not sure what they are.

 

 

It was getting on my nerves whenever I crunched into a apple or carrot So it had to go. Don't want to mess with these things once they are past their sell by date. The Owl tooth-extraction-method easily sorted it out.

 

 

Not that many left now. don't want to be too gung-ho.

 

+++++

 

Well done Aveley. Winners against the St Albans Octopusses. Could make the play-offs in National League South. This must be the smallest place in England to have a footy team at this level. Little more than a village in West Thurrock. And where is that? Essex!!! Spent a lot of my childhood in the area. Bellhus Park, and fishing at the Tunnel Cement pits off Ship Lane.

 

Mrs Owl has taken to making beefburgers. She don't use beef though, just a mix of chicken and pork. Puts in the onions and a bit of garlic, carrot and ginger. Just a hint of chili. Absolutely delicious. There is no bun; just thick toasted bread, that is coated with Philly cheese. Mildred says she wants them every day. Can't argue with that.

 

Had a drop of rain a while back. I'm informed that Ban Dung got hit by a big storm, with heavy rain. We got some rain. Didn't notice any storm.

 

As I type, I'm seeing the death count go up in the Moscow tragedy. For once the Mrs is as well informed as me on world affairs. She is a confirmed TicTocker.

 

Anyone seen the film ''Climate - the movie''? I've been told it's very enlightening. Try to watch it this evening.

 

This Kate stuff is a mystery. She is now sick evidently. Too sick to go wandering about a farmer's market, like the Sun newspaper said. Get well soon dear.

 

Put the exciting vids of the village rave at the bottom. Exquisite dance moves on the dance floor, and sexy dancing girls.

 

Only three things left to say;

 

01 Thanks for visiting.

02 Take care out there.

03 Bye - y'all.

 

+++++

 

Got any Lao Khow you don't want farang?

 

 

Special concrete dance routine.

 

 

Everyone enjoying themselves.

 

 

Dancing girls strutting their stiuff.

 

 

 

Edited March 24 by owl sees all

[sotonowl]

7 hours ago, owl sees all said:

You must have been asleep that day Owl. I remember it well.

 

7-3 to the Blades. It wasn't the Owl's best month as two weeks later Rotherham put 5 past them. Could dish out the goals also. they put put 6 in the net; without reply, three times that season. Hull, Notts County and my beloved  Irons were all well done up like kippers by the rampant Owls in that 1951/52 season..

Ah, before I was born Owl. You confused me when you said a couple of years, should have read a couple of decades.😂

[chickenslegs]

11 minutes ago, sotonowl said:

Ah, before I was born Owl. You confused me when you said a couple of years, should have read a couple of decades.😂

More than half a century ago.

 

Edited March 24 by chickenslegs

[sotonowl]

4 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

More than half a century ago.

We were discussing an event in 1979 but Owl went off on one of his tangents and a couple of years earlier we finished up in 1951.😀

[sotonowl]

6 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

More than half a century ago.

 

Especially if you were alive at the time it happened.😂

[owl sees all]

Actually that season 1951/52 was a cracker for goals. The Owls were so, so unpredictable. When they ran onto the pitch, we didn't know what was to occur. A 3-3, 7-3, 0-6. Great time to watch footy**. They were promoted that season scoring a whopping 100 goals. Let a few in too. Blades and Rotherham scored 18 goals against them in the league encounters. Anyway, it was up with the big boys from then on?! But they struggled, and finished lower each season, until going down in 55. But they bounced back, and regained their top flight spot the following season. But down again in 57/58. True to form; they came up again the following year. they were certainly the 'yo-yo' club.

 

** It was all about attacking with 5 across the front. Two devilish wingers putting in those crosses. Our game stayed like that until the Hungarians taught us a lesson. What was it now?  7-1 and 6-3.

 

But back to The Owls. They did something unforgivable in 1959. The Irons were top of the league after 18 matches. Next up was The Owls. We went to Hillsborough on that cold November day to put the hosts to the sword. We got smashed; 7-0. Dear me!! Irons finished well down the table in 14th in the end, and all because of that day; 28th November 1959. I hated that day for years.

[sotonowl]

12 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Actually that season 1951/52 was a cracker for goals. The Owls were so, so unpredictable. When they ran onto the pitch, we didn't know what was to occur. A 3-3, 7-3, 0-6. Great time to watch footy**. They were promoted that season scoring a whopping 100 goals. Let a few in too. Blades and Rotherham scored 18 goals against them in the league encounters. Anyway, it was up with the big boys from then on?! But they struggled, and finished lower each season, until going down in 55. But they bounced back, and regained their top flight spot the following season. But down again in 57/58. True to form; they came up again the following year. they were certainly the 'yo-yo' club.

 

** It was all about attacking with 5 across the front. Two devilish wingers putting in those crosses. Our game stayed like that until the Hungarians taught us a lesson. What was it now?  7-1 and 6-3.

 

But back to The Owls. They did something unforgivable in 1959. The Irons were top of the league after 18 matches. Next up was The Owls. We went to Hillsborough on that cold November day to put the hosts to the sword. We got smashed; 7-0. Dear me!! Irons finished well down the table in 14th in the end, and all because of that day; 28th November 1959. I hated that day for years.

I didn't start going regularly until 1963 when I got my first season ticket, that cost £5 and the season after it increased to £6 and 6 shilings. How things have changed. Seen many a game at Hillsborough but few really stand out but one of them was against the hammers. The Owls won 5-0 but what made it stand out as a game was Chris Waddle tormenting David Burrows all afternoon, Waddle was on fire. David Burrows eventually finished up at Hillsborough as well. That was in Decenber 1993.

[finnomick1]

Just for information really - we already had a borewell done some ten years ago when the village lake dried out. It was a fairly shallow drill, about 24 metres. The water is clean enough but seems to contain a lot of calcium and certainly lacks oxygen which is not much use to us as we grow on fish and in this water they just keel over and die. So, we decided to have a deep borewell drilled a couple of weeks ago. The drilling rig turned up on one truck, the generator on another plus a couple of pickups. First setback was that we were advised to have the new borewell about 100 metres from the existing one. The reason being that the deep borewell would drain the other one. So we found a convenient spot near our old mushroom house. Handy because we already have three 2000 litre tanks here, plus the three solar panels were fitted on the roof. The new borewell feeds a 2000 litre tank and when we want, we can change the route of the water straight into one of our fish ponds ( with no detriment to the fish ). Water to the house and various hoses is pumped by a Hitachi pump. The cost of a borewell depended on size. 4" was 15000, 5" 17000 and 6" 20000. We opted for the 5". The solar panels (3), borewell pump, Hitachi pump, all fittings and labour was 39000 so 56000 baht all in. I have to add that the main reason we opted for a deep borewell is that we live about 300 metres from the village lake. In November 2023 the government decided to widen the road and consequently our water pipe was dug up. The village water company then said that if we wanted to be re-connected we would have to dig the necessary trench ourselves ( again ). We told them to stuff their pipes where the sun don't shine. We are in Buriram province but I guess prices would be similar. 

[owl sees all]

2 hours ago, finnomick1 said:

Just for information really - we already had a borewell done some ten years ago when the village lake dried out. It was a fairly shallow drill, about 24 metres. The water is clean enough but seems to contain a lot of calcium and certainly lacks oxygen which is not much use to us as we grow on fish and in this water they just keel over and die. So, we decided to have a deep borewell drilled a couple of weeks ago. The drilling rig turned up on one truck, the generator on another plus a couple of pickups. First setback was that we were advised to have the new borewell about 100 metres from the existing one. The reason being that the deep borewell would drain the other one. So we found a convenient spot near our old mushroom house. Handy because we already have three 2000 litre tanks here, plus the three solar panels were fitted on the roof. The new borewell feeds a 2000 litre tank and when we want, we can change the route of the water straight into one of our fish ponds ( with no detriment to the fish ). Water to the house and various hoses is pumped by a Hitachi pump. The cost of a borewell depended on size. 4" was 15000, 5" 17000 and 6" 20000. We opted for the 5". The solar panels (3), borewell pump, Hitachi pump, all fittings and labour was 39000 so 56000 baht all in. I have to add that the main reason we opted for a deep borewell is that we live about 300 metres from the village lake. In November 2023 the government decided to widen the road and consequently our water pipe was dug up. The village water company then said that if we wanted to be re-connected we would have to dig the necessary trench ourselves ( again ). We told them to stuff their pipes where the sun don't shine. We are in Buriram province but I guess prices would be similar. 

Thanks for that insight Mick.

 

100 metres is some depth. I have 7 deep-wells on our farms, and the deepest is 44 metres; 6 at 5 inch bore. One 4 inch.

 

Our recent bores were 9k baht each. The first of these wells is giving very good water, with a total cost about 37k. That includes the bore work. The second one cost 14k plus the 9k bore. So 23k. Only two panels though; so 17.500 baht (26/27k with bore) if three.

 

We am still trouble-shooting the systems. Tinkering really. Me and Mildred went today to do some work on the underground section.

 

People (Thai farmers) have come round to have a look at what we have done. Reckon they are thinking of giving it a go themselves. The difference between a company doing the job, and doing it yourself, can be as much as 13k IME. If you do it yourself, you are sure that the best units are used. But it takes longer. The professional construction boys are in and out in two/three days.

 

Edited March 26 by owl sees all

[GarryP]

17 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Thanks for that insight Mick.

 

100 metres is some depth. I have 7 deep-wells on our farms, and the deepest is 44 metres; 6 at 5 inch bore. One 4 inch.

 

Our recent bores were 9k baht each. The first of these wells is giving very good water, with a total cost about 37k. That includes the bore work. The second one cost 14k plus the 9k bore. So 23k. Only two panels though; so 17.500 baht (26/27k with bore) if three.

 

We am still trouble-shooting the systems. Tinkering really. Me and Mildred went today to do some work on the underground section.

 

People (Thai farmers) have come round to have a look at what we have done. Reckon they are thinking of giving it a go themselves. The difference between a company doing the job, and doing it yourself, can be as much as 13k IME. If you do it yourself, you are sure that the best units are used. But it takes longer. The professional construction boys are in and out in two/three days.

 

For a home with a smallish garden, I assume that a 4" bore would be sufficient.

[finnomick1]

3 hours ago, GarryP said:

For a home with a smallish garden, I assume that a 4" bore would be sufficient.

yes, 4" is adequate. We have about 4 rai of which 1 rai is fishponds, 1 rai eucalyptus trees and maybe another rai for ducks, chickens  and vegetables and the house is somehow squeezed in between numerous fruit trees.

The 100 metres mentioned in my last post was the distance between the borewells. This borewell went down 77 metres. The 2000 litre tank fills up early in the morning then I switch it over to filling up the ponds. 

[owl sees all]

5 hours ago, finnomick1 said:

yes, 4" is adequate. We have about 4 rai of which 1 rai is fishponds, 1 rai eucalyptus trees and maybe another rai for ducks, chickens  and vegetables and the house is somehow squeezed in between numerous fruit trees.

The 100 metres mentioned in my last post was the distance between the borewells. This borewell went down 77 metres. The 2000 litre tank fills up early in the morning then I switch it over to filling up the ponds. 

Thanks for clarification Mick. 77 metres is a fair old bore. What is the water table level at different times of the year?

 

I would opt for 5 inch if it was me. Depends somewhat on the water table and how quickly the bore water is replenished when pumping is in progress.

[HighPriority]

Replenishment is the key.

if you pump out faster than the bore refills, you risk damage to your pump and damaging the bore itself.

[GarryP]

Had a fellow round this morning with his divining rods, his bore drill gear was on his pickup truck parked outside. Said there was no water where we wanted to drill and suggested another place in the garden about 10 meters away. I just think that he wanted to drill somwhere that was easier to get in with his truck. Claimed the place he recommended was a water channel. Haven't made my mind up but don't really believe in the accuracy of divining after reading studies on it.     

[sotonowl]

9 hours ago, GarryP said:

Had a fellow round this morning with his divining rods, his bore drill gear was on his pickup truck parked outside. Said there was no water where we wanted to drill and suggested another place in the garden about 10 meters away. I just think that he wanted to drill somwhere that was easier to get in with his truck. Claimed the place he recommended was a water channel. Haven't made my mind up but don't really believe in the accuracy of divining after reading studies on it.     

Always the same init. Everytime you want a job doing and get someone in to price it, you have an idea what you want and some bloke comes in to tell you that you're wrong and that you need this other thing which makes it easier for him. 

I had it a couple of years ago with a new bathroom with one bloke, who didn't get the job. I ultimately stuck to my guns and got what I wanted from someone else. They just want the easiest way. Whatever happened to giving the customer what he wants.

[rattlesnake]

Reading all that football trivia reminded me that a couple of decades ago, when I was still very young, I had the privilege of meeting a gentleman named Peter Grotier, who in the 70s was goalkeeper for West Ham. Very nice guy, it was interesting to hear his stories of when footballers earned just regular wages.

[jts-khorat]

On 3/24/2024 at 11:10 AM, owl sees all said:

Owl Log - 24th March 2024 - Sunday afternoon

 

I always absolutely love it, when you post your pictures. The more, the better.

 

What I find most amazing is, even though "my" village is 150 kilometers away, both location and people look absolutely identical. I would not have wondered if somebody told me, that your house or your farm were just up the road right in my village; alas, Ban Dung is the other side of Udon, while I spend my Thailand-time in Nong Bua Lamphu.

 

But it really is eerie.

 

In any case, I use your posts as a welcome "if only I could be there right now" moment, while I slave away here in Europe, until my well-earned time in Isaan comes around.

[HighPriority]

On 3/28/2024 at 12:44 PM, GarryP said:

Had a fellow round this morning with his divining rods, his bore drill gear was on his pickup truck parked outside. Said there was no water where we wanted to drill and suggested another place in the garden about 10 meters away. I just think that he wanted to drill somwhere that was easier to get in with his truck. Claimed the place he recommended was a water channel. Haven't made my mind up but don't really believe in the accuracy of divining after reading studies on it.     

If you follow his advice and divining “skills” you at least absolve yourself of blame if you end up with a dry hole, if you stick to your guns you might still end up with no water and either way you’ll end up with less Baht… 🤣

If you do hit water it’s the greatest feeling in the world 👍🏼

[GarryP]

5 hours ago, HighPriority said:

If you follow his advice and divining “skills” you at least absolve yourself of blame if you end up with a dry hole, if you stick to your guns you might still end up with no water and either way you’ll end up with less Baht… 🤣

If you do hit water it’s the greatest feeling in the world 👍🏼

The way they do it around here is they pick the spot and if it is a dry hole, there is no charge. So what I am going to do is tell him where to drill and if it turns out dry, I will pay for labour and fuel costs. Finger crossed. He will be here sometime next week. 

[HighPriority]

11 minutes ago, GarryP said:

The way they do it around here is they pick the spot and if it is a dry hole, there is no charge. So what I am going to do is tell him where to drill and if it turns out dry, I will pay for labour and fuel costs. Finger crossed. He will be here sometime next week. 

Can’t complain about that !

Doesnt work that way in Oz !

Good luck.