Diary of a farang in Isaan

[FarFlungFalang]

Hey Mr Owl,how are your fly fishing skills?Have you had a go at it?I got into it a bit when I was working in the Canberra Theatre,we used to go up to Lake Eucumbene.

[bluesofa]

2 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Hey Mr Owl,how are your fly fishing skills?Have you had a go at it?I got into it a bit when I was working in the Canberra Theatre,we used to go up to Lake Eucumbene.

There's a good book about it:

[FarFlungFalang]

6 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

There's a good book about it:

I'm trying to remember where I saw a vid about this book and the author and I only saw it a couple of days ago.

[bluesofa]

6 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

I'm trying to remember where I saw a vid about this book and the author and I only saw it a couple of days ago.

Probably here:

 

 

[owl sees all]

28 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Probably here:

 

 

 

Brought tears to my eyes that bluesofa. Not because of the actual add, but because I've had a similar experience. 

 

I wrote a book some years ago entitled "The physiological considerations of coaching national standard athletes." Quite boring really. It was all about energy pathways, including The Krebs Cycle and The Electron Transport chain.

 

Processed about 1500. Sold most of them and gave a few to friends. When my mum died a few years back my two copies were inadvertently destroyed, or simply chucked. Not to worry thought!. There must be plenty still knocking about. Not been able to find one yet. Although a friend who went to live in South Africa had one when I contacted him.

 

I've thought about re-wriring it but, I'd have to go back to Uni to understand it all again.

 

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Hey Mr Owl,how are your fly fishing skills? Have you had a go at it? I got into it a bit when I was working in the Canberra Theatre, we used to go up to Lake Eucumbene.

 

Got to do a bit after Matt Hayes caught some carp on the fly some 25 years ago. So not too bad. It's all in the wrist action.

 

If I can recall he was casting a very light pellet into a pre-baited area. Gonna look it up now you have mentioned it.

[Odysseus123]

4 hours ago, owl sees all said:

There are many lovely areas in Essex. My favourite place is Hainault Forrest.

Is Hainault Farm nearby?

There used to be an old Royal Flying Corps aerodrome there where they would take off in their antiquated BE 2c's at night hunting for Zeppelins and Gotha's..God..what a scary job...

 

I think that Cecil Lewis or the other chap who won the VC  (Leefe-Robinson?)was stationed there.

[faraday]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Krebs Cycle

 I met Sir Hans in around '75. He wandered into the clinical lab where I was working in Oxford. An odd experience, because for some reason, he was wearing pajama bottoms! He was doing animal work upstairs, but why the nightwear, I dunno. Nice enough chap, though.

 

Met Sir Roger too. Didn't like him one bit. Very lanky & 'up himself'.

 

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

8 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

Wasn't John Constable's 'The Hay Wain' set in Essex?

Indeed ??

On one of my more recent ( 3 years ago) visits to the U.K. i met up with some old work colleagues for what had become a routine whenever I was back , a few pints of Saltaire Blonde at the local watering hole, The Junction, Baildon.

We always arranged to meet on quiz night as it was good entertainment, with pie and peas thrown in for good measure, but managed to change our topic of conversation which always turned into the dreaded , no matter how hard we fought against it, “ work “ topic !!

 

Anyhoo, I digress ????.

On this particular night one of the questions was :

” In which county was Constables The Hay Wain “ set ??

The majority of teams answered Essex but no team got the answer correct!!

The reason being it actually depicts 2 counties , the left bank in Suffolk and the right bank in Essex. The location is commonly known as near Flatford Mill in Suffolk but for the purpose of pedanticism (????) the pub landlord would only accept both counties .

 

One of those useless pieces of information that we keep in our memory banks in the vain hope that the question will crop up in general conversation and we can jump in with the answer followed by a loud “ Yeehah “ and several fist pumps ....................... okay I might be exaggerating there , a simple smug grin would suffice !!

[Odysseus123]

41 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

One of those useless pieces of information that we keep in our memory

I'm glad I've made your day!????

So....let me get this right-if you turned the painting upside down than the left bank would be in Essex and the right in Suffolk?

 

Is that what you are trying to say-have I nailed it?

[Andrew Dwyer]

9 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

I'm glad I've made your day!????

So....let me get this right-if you turned the painting upside down than the left bank would be in Essex and the right in Suffolk?

 

Is that what you are trying to say-have I nailed it?

Yes, exactly and the poor dog and horse wouldn’t know if they were coming or going .

[Odysseus123]

4 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yes, exactly and the poor dog and horse wouldn’t know if they were coming or going .

Never mind us..have you reported this to the Royal Academy?

[Andrew Dwyer]

2 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

Never mind us..have you reported this to the Royal Academy?

I did but they didn’t seem interested, they just don’t care now we’ve left the EU !

[Odysseus123]

11 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I did but they didn’t seem interested, they just don’t care now we’ve left the EU !

 

11 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I did but they didn’t seem interested, they just don’t care now we’ve left the EU !

Ahhh..they are Spenglerians...

 

I read up about Constable's beautiful painting and discovered that the Brits were (originally) not very interested..it was rescued by Mons.Vol au Vent's countryman Theodore Gericault.

See..the EU has its uses.????

[Andrew Dwyer]

4 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

 

Ahhh..they are Spenglerians...

 

I read up about Constable's beautiful painting and discovered that the Brits were (originally) not very interested..it was rescued by Mons.Vol au Vent's countryman Theodore Gericault.

See..the EU has its uses.????

That and cheap wine !!

[owl sees all]

40 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

That and cheap wine !!

Fortunately Monsieur Vous cannot read these posts, or I'm sure he would have something to say.

 

One day over a glass of red, he told me that one of his great, great ,,,,,,,,, grandfathers was Joan of Arc's lover. As we know, towards the end Joan was sold by the Burgundians, and was later charged with counts of witchcraft. But what is not so well known is that at the stake she was heard shouting "Vous' Vous." 

 

When he retires from French Secret Operations he says he will visit Isaan.

 

 

[Odysseus123]

12 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

. As will know towards the end Joan was sold by the Burgundians, and was later charged with counts of witchcraft. But what is not so well known is that at the

I thought that she was arrested for trespass after being caught fishing for carp in the Comte de Hainault's pond....

[owl sees all]

8 hours ago, owl sees all said:

There are many lovely areas in Essex. My favourite place is Hainault Forrest. A lake was developed in 1911 to give unemployed east-enders some work. The small valley was dammed and an overflow installed. Everything done by hand; no machinery.

 

The source(s) of the stream that run into the lake is debated. But, I think there are two; Rose Well and another about 300 metres from the lake (both marked in black). The small weir is in red. The square is a small cafe/kiosk/restaurant, which has been there since about 1975. Also in the forest is a deer park and a sacred animal enclosure.

I had to check back on my notes.

 

Hainault lake was damned in 1910 (not 1911). And I got it wrong about Roe's Well. The source is Sheepwater spring - although it's only about 100 yards away - the other being Foxburrows.

 

 

Kadilo would be interested in this next snippet. John Dick (born in the next street to Alex Furgie, whose horse ran like a donkey yesterday), was a lover of the area.

 

That's him; middle right.

 

 

 

 

Just lovely. I do miss Essex.

[bluesofa]

7 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

John Dick (born in the next street to Alex Furgie, whose horse ran like a donkey yesterday), was a lover of the area.

You mean he was a bit of a ladies man?

[faraday]

Our lovely boy just done a jingjok in. 

 

If PETA finds out, he'll doing a 5 stretch in the monkey house! ????

 

 

 

[faraday]

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 12-04-2021 - Monday morning

 

Should go into Ban Dung today. Mrs Owl says we need supplies, and I have to pay my internet bill in Big C. Must find out if I can pay it on-line. She is sleeping at the mo'. Not speaking to me since yesterday.

 

Mildred went fishing for just half an hour last evening and caught 7 pla nin from pond two. Gave four away to a passing guy on a motorbike, and took the three biggest back home. I noticed that the fish were still in the bucket at 22-00. "Are you not going to sort out the fish teerak (which were then well and truly brown bread)?" "It's a buddha day. Cannot kill anything." "So you gonna stay up 'til twelve tonight then dear." "What you say, ding dong farang." My funny was simply wasted; as it normally is.

 

 

I did say to Milly that I'd make a her a new fishing rod. The one she uses is a tad short. Cut a new bamboo down a few days ago.

 

 

Beginning to dry out nicely. Another week and I'll get started. Too long, and too heavy at the mo'.

 

 

Have to keep it out of the sun during this drying phase, or it will warp.

 

The little Avocado tree is taking to its new home well.

 

 

Gonna give it some water every day. Can't rely on any rain up here. I think it will be another very poor year for rain. Although I've just watched a vid' of Pattaya beach being washed away. Some areas are getting more than a little drop.

 

I have a favourite euca tree which also gets special treatment; a bucket of water every few days. Pond water too. So better than any rain.

 

About five metres plus high/tall now. Put in the ground in the first week in June last year. Don't think I'll ever cut it down.

 

 

Ah yes! That time of year is fast approaching. Reminds me a bit of the week after xmas in England. Every time ya go to visit someone (but not last year; covid) "Hi Owl. Cup of rosy (or glass of beer) and a turkey sarnie?"

 

"I've got mangoes for my breckies. Mangoes for my diner. Mangoes for my supper and mangoes for my tea. I got mangoes!" Spike Milligan song.

 

 

When we arrive at the farm. The chickens have a butchers to establish if Mrs Owl is in the pick-up or not. Yesterday she was not. Busy at at the village discussing lottery numbers at the corner shop. So!

 

 

What to make of the footy? City getting dumped by Leeds. They put their third team out and thought that would be enough. No! Manchester first and second. Bolton on the move.

 

Had a monster of a row with the Mrs yesterday. It's a little complicated. Mrs owl had been saying that the boys were coming over and they should get a little something for songram. They arrived last night about seven. I didn't have any change so I walked next door and bought drinks for Milly, Snack and Tang. Ready to pay at the shop and the lady showed me Nan's beer bill; 360 baht. I paid up; naturally.

 

Got back home and gave the two boys 100 baht each with their drink. Nan and the Mrs chatted for 10 minutes outside, and then she left. As soon as Nan had gone, WW3 broke out. "Nan not have money. Why you not give her?" I was thinking that this was secret squirrel talk. "You not tell me she didn't have any money?" Then I added. "She needed money to pay her beer bill?" Big mistake! "What beer? You are stupid farang. Husband not get money for work yet. She need buy food."

 

She went on to tell me that I could easily die tonight for being a bad farang. I'm OK til midnight I thought. Anyway! This morning I got my cuppa, and soon after a bowl of spicy porridge.

 

Even after all these years I can't comprehend the double talk I sometimes get from the wife. What's wrong with simple straight talking?

 

I started Milly on one of my books; George Orwell's 1984. Reading the words is a lot easier than understanding them I feel. Did the first two pages. Enough for starters.

 

Not had a game of chess for a while. Maybe this afternoon; if I don't go to town.

 

Still keeping up the running. Sprinted 160 metres on Saturday. Raced Mildred. I won. She stopped to pick up some plastic rubbish during the race; but I reckon I would still have finished first anyway.

 

When we did the euca planting last June, I started taking pic's from the same spot every so often to see progress. They are taken from the far corner of number one farm. Have three angles. Looking north; looking east; looking north-east.

 

Looking north: First entry is 5th July. Just a month after planting.

 

 

28-August; 10 weeks later.

 

 

20th October; after 4 months.

 

 

27th December; just over 6 months. Looks better with the grass cut!

 

 

3rd February. 8 months in the ground.

 

 

11th April (yesterday). 10 months.

 

 

After a pretty slowish start they are doing well. Most are approaching 2 metres high now. Nowhere near as big as the trees in the lower areas though.

 

That's it for now.

 

Bye y'all.

[FarFlungFalang]

14 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Not had a game of chess for a while. Maybe this afternoon; if I don't go to town.

How do you play chess?Ha Ha I mean what format do play a computer or play others on computer?I'll play!

[owl sees all]

22 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

Is Hainault Farm nearby?

There used to be an old Royal Flying Corps aerodrome there where they would take off in their antiquated BE 2c's at night hunting for Zeppelins and Gotha's..God..what a scary job...

 

I think that Cecil Lewis or the other chap who won the VC  (Leefe-Robinson?)was stationed there.

Yes!

 

There is a farm at the forest. Some lovely and unusual animals.

 

Hornchurch airfield was heavily used during WW2. Also, for smaller craft; Fairlop and Abridge.

[owl sees all]

20 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

How do you play chess?Ha Ha I mean what format do play a computer or play others on computer? I'll play!

 

Mostly I play chess with Mildred. But occasionally play on-line; although not for a couple of years*. Used to play email chess. One move a day. The problem with playing on the internet is that some opponents use engines. So unless it's a fair game one often loses when a win would be possible.

 

My Grandfather (on mother's side) taught me. He was very good and was ranked in the top UK 50 for many years. I've never been ranked on the points system, as I don't play in registered tournament's. I used to. Played for Ilford and Ford clubs. But I reckon I'm about 700ish.

 

* Play on-line Cribbage and Gin Rummy now. % wins on crib 47%. On gin 60%.

[FarFlungFalang]

12 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

 

Mostly I play chess with Mildred. But occasionally play on-line; although not for a couple of years*. Used to play email chess. One move a day. The problem with playing on the internet is that some opponents use engines. So unless it's a fair game one often loses when a win would be possible.

 

My Grandfather (on mother's side) taught me. He was very good and was ranked in the top UK 50 for many years. I've never been ranked on the points system, as I don't play in registered tournament's. I used to. Played for Ilford and Ford clubs. But I reckon I'm about 700ish.

 

* Play on-line Cribbage and Gin Rummy now. % wins on crib 47%. On gin 60%.

I haven't played for yonks so do I have to challenge like we did  for the "cup" (a coffee mug with a cat holding a balloon with "woppee" written on it) and the cup holder wasn't allowed to refuse a challenge?How do we get this to happen?chess.com?Let's do it!

[Andrew Dwyer]

30 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

 

* Play on-line Cribbage and Gin Rummy now. % wins on crib 47%. On gin 60%.

Hope you still get to say “ and one for his nob  “

[bannork]

I'll post some photos of the eucalyptus trees I cut down. Shame they'll grow again but then if they didn't, the owner would have let me fell them.

Owl, what bait does Mildred use to catch your pla nin? My brother-in-law uses a wide net but I'd like to have a go with a rod. 

Bit of a scorcher today.

[Odysseus123]

3 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Yes!

 

There is a farm at the forest. Some lovely and unusual animals.

 

Hornchurch airfield was heavily used during WW2. Also, for smaller craft; Fairlop and Abridge.

Thanks for that Owl..

I have done a little digging and we are bang on for your area..

William Leefe Robinson VC.

 

Took off from Sutton's Farm (Hornchurch)  and destroyed Zeppelin SL 11 in the air on the night of 2/3 September,1916.Awarded the VC-his only navigational equipment (apart from the compass) was a small torch..to read the compass and look at the map..

 

Hainault Farm was another satellite aerodrome of Hornchurch.

 

Captain Robinson died of the Spanish 'flu, December 1918.

[FarFlungFalang]

It's raining here!