Diary of a farang in Isaan

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 26-05-2021 - Wednesday evening

 

Just a quickie today.

 

Had  a drop of rain last night. Enough to stop a game of cricket; but not two games. Water in ponds rose about one cm. Need to have this every other day until the end of July, then some proper monsoon downpours in August and September. Forgotten what a three hour monsoon downpour looks like.

 

Back on the euca trimming again this afternoon. The new cutters have already had a tough start to their lives.

 

 

It was my fault yesterday. Asking the cutters to do too much. I was trying to cut a half inch spur off quite high up, and I was twisting the cutters. Lesson learnt.

 

Not to worry though. I had a pair of mini-pliers on hand. Soon sorted.

 

 

Mildred went net fishing and didn't join me to nearly six. By then the light was not good enough for snapping.

 

 

About one in ten have to be sorted like this one. Have to make a decision which side is dominant. Not always easy at first glance. Sometimes the stronger of the two has another spur higher up; out of reach. Not this one though.

 

 

 

The trees do seem to be a little spindly in some sections. This was another that needed attention.

 

 

 

They will be a year in the ground next week.

 

 

Mildred joined me, and she did eight before moaning about the mozzies and calling it a day. I Had strides on for the first time in years, for some limited protection. No sooner did she depart than I stood on an ant nest. And that was that. But I did 56 trees. Must come earlier. Can be a little hot at two or three in the afternoon, but if I'm to do them all, I have to start earlier in the day. I'm thinking of at least 100 a day. Just as well my hip is improving. Not too much walking though. The footy taught me a lesson. Too old for performing overhead kicks; especially on the concrete road outside.

 

I can ride the bike to the farm, and the ladies can join me later. That way I'll get in a decent count. The running total count is 183. 11,200ish to go. Not counting the ones on the main road; which I might pay someone to do. Safety first. Never know who will be driving past.

 

Mildred grabbed the telephone, rushed off to the bathroom, and got a lovely snap. We call him 'Monster'.

 

 

Mrs Owl's electric cutter does a good job, but the battery runs out of steam after just 20 minutes. I'll try to get a spare. And a couple of extra blades too. I sharpened the only one today for her, it will not last too long. Must show willing. Don't want her to get fed up. While she is working she is not beating me.

 

 

 

First of the two European finals tonight. Who to support? Lived just along the coast in Torrevieja a few years back. But United are English? A dilemma!

 

Bye y'all.

 

 

Edited May 26, 2021 by owl sees all

[Odysseus123]

Hello Owl-you are certainly getting impressive results with your plantation-well done!

We had a beautiful lunar eclipse last night.Apart from a few wisps of cloud,it was bright and clear with the Milky Way out in all its glory with even a modest little meteor shower thrown in for good measure.

 

The best lunar eclipse that I have ever seen...great job by Galactic administration!????

Edited May 26, 2021 by Odysseus123

[FarFlungFalang]

20 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Mildred joined me, and she did eight before moaning about the mozzies and calling it a day. I Had strides on for the first time in years, for some limited protection. No sooner did she depart than I stood on an ant nest. And that was that.

Did you get ants in your pants Mr Owl?

I sat down at my computer to post my tree update about 2 hours ago and promptly got sucked into the covid vortex and have only just now emerged somewhat battered, bruised and confused.Anyhow on with the tree update.

Firstly I decided to upend the AT motif for a different perspective, the front wheel of my Trek is about 6-7 inches shorter than myself in the first of the Mai Payoong (Siamese Rosewood), I estimate these to be about 4 meters plus  and these trees went in about one year before Mr Owls eucas none the less they are the fastest growing of the three varieties.

 

 

 

Next we have the Mai Padoo which is number 2 on Thailands protected species list and not nearly as impressive and a return to a more normal AT motif.These are the tallest of the bunch the rest probably average about 4 foot.Being a '61 vintage I got caught halfway between metric and imperial measurements.

 

 

Now for the Mai Yang or Mai Young, not sure on the correct pronunciation.Quite healthy and stocky.

 

 

 

 The mighty euca 

 

 

Pond number one which well and truly overflowed during the floods of last year.

 

Looking back towards the the farm donga which overlooks pond number one

 

 

The cassava is doing well this year.This is opposite the tree planation.

 

 

The sugar is looking pretty good as well can't wait to getting into cutting it all by had when it's ready!Yeah sure you are!

 

 

 This what a real Mai Padoo looks like.

 

 

This Mai Padoo is where Pond number Three is supposed to go and Mrs FFF want to cut this beautiful Mai Padoo down to dig number three pond but I intend to dig in so to speak and tell them to move number three to preserve the tree I may have to get the chains and locks ready for my protestations.I see what you mean about the vines Mr Owl!!!

 

Ah well that's about it for now. Ciou!

 

PS. It all looks pretty green and lush for this time of year as we have been very lucky with the rain this year!

Edited May 27, 2021 by FarFlungFalang

[owl sees all]

2 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Did you get ants in your pants Mr Owl?

I sat down at my computer to post my tree update about 2 hours ago and promptly got sucked into the covid vortex and have only just now emerged somewhat battered, bruised and confused.Anyhow on with the tree update.

Firstly I decided to upend the AT motif for a different perspective, the front wheel of my Trek is about 6-7 inches shorter than myself in the first of the Mai Payoong (Siamese Rosewood), I estimate these to be about 4 meters plus  and these trees went in about one year before Mr Owls eucas none the less they are the fastest growing of the three varieties.

 

 

 

Next we have the Mai Padoo which is number 2 on Thailands protected species list and not nearly as impressive and a return to a more normal AT motif.These are the tallest of the bunch the rest probably average about 4 foot.Being a '61 vintage I got caught halfway between metric and imperial measurements.

 

 

Now for the Mai Yang or Mai Young, not sure on the correct pronunciation.Quite healthy and stocky.

 

 

 

 The mighty euca 

 

 

Pond number one which well and truly overflowed during the floods of last year.

 

Looking back towards the the farm donga which overlooks pond number one

 

 

The cassava is doing well this year.This is opposite the tree planation.

 

 

The sugar is looking pretty good as well can't wait to getting into cutting it all by had when it's ready!Yeah sure you are!

 

 

 This what a real Mai Padoo looks like.

 

 

This Mai Padoo is where Pond number Three is supposed to go and Mrs FFF want to cut this beautiful Mai Padoo down to dig number three pond but I intend to dig in so to speak and tell them to move number three to preserve the tree I may have to get the chains and locks ready for my protestations.I see what you mean about the vines Mr Owl!!!

 

Ah well that's about it for now. Ciou!

 

PS. It all looks pretty green and lush for this time of year as we have been very lucky with the rain this year!

 

Those creepers are so persistent. This evening I again trimed the eucas by the ponds. Then it was back on the main route. Mildred had the new cutters. I made do with the old, that don't have a spring return to open them.

 

 

The new ones are the nuts.

 

 

Mildred goes back to school on Tuesday; unless a Udon covid variant emerges in the next few days, and the school start gets postponed. I'll be on me Jack from then on. And the day will be cut short due to me picking her up at 5. Excuse for an earlier start.

 

Cut about 40 tonight. Running total up to 233. So only 1180 to go.

 

Edited May 27, 2021 by owl sees all

[Golden Triangle]

So as I know diddley squat about anything agricultural/horticultural how do you k ow when to stop pruning/cutting ?

 

And maybe a cheap pair of bolt cutters may have been a help, just a thought ????

[robblok]

9 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

So as I know diddley squat about anything agricultural/horticultural how do you k ow when to stop pruning/cutting ?

 

And maybe a cheap pair of bolt cutters may have been a help, just a thought ????

Usually when you put concrete everywhere you can stop pruning cutting and removing weeds.  Does not look really green afterwards but its a permanent fix ????

[FarFlungFalang]

Mr Owl did you mention monsoonal type downpours such as the one we are currently experiencing?The Koksuwan river is in full flood.This is now just out the backdoor!

 

 

 

[FarFlungFalang]

8 minutes ago, robblok said:

Usually when you put concrete everywhere you can stop pruning cutting and removing weeds.  Does not look really green afterwards but its a permanent fix ????

The greeks in Oz say "I came I saw I concreted" Then I painted it green!

Edited May 27, 2021 by FarFlungFalang

[FarFlungFalang]

Massive thunder and lightening show pretty scary!

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, Golden Triangle said:

So as I know diddley squat about anything agricultural/horticultural how do you k ow when to stop pruning/cutting ?

 

And maybe a cheap pair of bolt cutters may have been a help, just a thought ????

Good question GT.

 

If the tree is a big un, over 5 metres high, I have been cutting up to about two metres, or two and a half metres. Have to look up and make sure there is no big spur (branch) higher up that might stop straight growth. If there is, then have to bend down the tree and cut it off. If the tree is average height then I think the rule of thumb is up to two thirds.

 

If these trees were for show, as in a garden, I wouldn't hardly trim them. Only to cut off the creepers and any little branches lower down that will drop off in years to come anyway.

 

Some of the trees look fantastic with spurs coming out everywhere and they would look great in the future. But! They are on a commercial plantation, and the name of the game is get them to grow as straight and as strong as possible. They are all gonna be cut down; except maybe my favourite one.

Edited May 27, 2021 by owl sees all

[Golden Triangle]

2 hours ago, robblok said:

Usually when you put concrete everywhere you can stop pruning cutting and removing weeds.  Does not look really green afterwards but its a permanent fix ????

Sorry, meant how high up the tree, silly me forgot the important bit 555

[faraday]

8 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

The greeks in Oz say "I came I saw I concreted" Then I painted it green!

 

 

Veni et vidi concreta et viridis picto eam!

 

From memory, of course..????????????????????????????

[grin]

These posts remind me of one of the worst jokes I've ever heard. It was often told by my dad before he passed:

 

Why is the sky blue? Because if the sky were green you wouldn't know when to stop mowing.

 

Actually the funny part was his crazy cackling after telling it.

[chickenslegs]

On 5/27/2021 at 5:32 PM, FarFlungFalang said:

 This what a real Mai Padoo looks like.

 

Your bike pictures gave me a smile - and I think a little dust must have got in my eye.

RIP AT.

[FarFlungFalang]

A quick update of the rain we had the night before last.Some damage was sustained to one of the bund walls which I think was recently repaired.

 

 

 

This next photo is from the other day from the upper level.

 

 

 

Some close ups.

 

 

 

 

Pond number one has risen about 30cm

 

 

 

Below is also from the other day.

 

 

Edited May 29, 2021 by FarFlungFalang

[sotonowl]

Sorry if already posted but after the reference to Mr AT above I decided to flick back through the pages to recap on when he passed away. It's over a year ago since the news was broken, around May 6th on page 38. Hope his family are coping OK.

RIP Mr AT.

[Odysseus123]

Unlikely friends..

Raven and magpie.

[FarFlungFalang]

1 hour ago, Odysseus123 said:

Unlikely friends..

Raven and magpie.

Go the Pies!Did you know there are Black magpies and there are White magpies and the the border between them is the Hawkesbury river?Can't remember which side of the river they live on.

[Odysseus123]

5 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Go the Pies!Did you know there are Black magpies and there are White magpies and the the border between them is the Hawkesbury river?Can't remember which side of the river they live on.

I didn't know that!

I must admit that I have not seen a white magpie-most of them come in their standard outfit of top hat,white tie and tails and perform Busby Berkeley numbers on my side fence.

[FarFlungFalang]

7 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

I didn't know that!

 

ome in their standard outfit of top hat,white tie and tails and perform Busby Berkeley numbers on my side fence.

 

Wasn't sure if I was being had a lend of but even wikipedia says there are!

 

The Australian magpie was subdivided into three species in the literature for much of the twentieth century—the black-backed magpie (G. tibicen), the white-backed magpie (G. hypoleuca), and the western magpie (G. dorsalis).^[26] They were later noted to hybridise readily where their territories crossed, with hybrid grey or striped-backed magpies being quite common. This resulted in them being reclassified as one species by Julian Ford in 1969,^[27] with most recent authors following suit.^[20]

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_magpie

 

Edited May 30, 2021 by FarFlungFalang

[Odysseus123]

44 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

 

Wasn't sure if I was being had a lend of but even wikipedia says there are!

I rather suspect that the maggies are conducting some sort of flying training in my garden.

From time to time I come across scribbled notes on leaves..

 

"Never fly straight and level for more then 10 seconds in the combat zone.."

"I need to  practice more or Jerry will have me for breakfast.."

"Get in close..one burst one kill.."

"tacka tacka tacka tacka.."????

[FarFlungFalang]

1 hour ago, Odysseus123 said:

I rather suspect that the maggies are conducting some sort of flying training in my garden.

From time to time I come across scribbled notes on leaves..

 

"Never fly straight and level for more then 10 seconds in the combat zone.."

"I need to  practice more or Jerry will have me for breakfast.."

"Get in close..one burst one kill.."

"tacka tacka tacka tacka.."????

I was going mention this before and now that you've raised this I will tell you of something I saw whilst living on Barnhill Rd in Terrigal which runs up a ridge behind the beach.Upon hearing some commotion in the backyard I went out to investigate and saw a flock of about 20-30 magpies performing the most amazing stunt flying exhibition I have witnessed.There was a strong NE wind blowing and was belting up the steep drop off which falls down to the beach, this created a perfect up draft for the birds.At first I thought it was a battle then came to realise they were just having the time I there lives with many aerial dog fights and chases but they would break off and return to start again one particular stunt will for ever be imprinted on my mind which was where one bird barrel rolled under another bird and they lock their feet and did a double front somersault before breaking off.The most absolutely amazing thing I've ever seen.I've always been a fan of magpies.

[Odysseus123]

"Not a drum was heard nor a bugle note

As the topic's corpse to the rampart we carried..

Not a poster typed his farewell post

o'er the thread where our hero was buried....

...we raised not a stone we carved not a line

but we left it alone in it's glory...."

[Fat is a type of crazy]

Odds on reasons for Owlseesall not posting for close to a week

Broken computer 15 per cent

Wife run amok 5 per cent

Ill  or couldn't be bothered posting 15 per cent

Banned  65 per cent

 

Hope all is well

 

[Odysseus123]

16 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

 

Hope all is well

Going okay..

I hope that I will get a photo of the 'Grandis Ode' tomorrow-tho' the weather has been rather cold and rainy..still, hopefully the vertically enhanced gum tree will stay on it's best behaviour for the occasion..

 

How are things going over there?

[Fat is a type of crazy]

1 hour ago, Odysseus123 said:

Going okay..

I hope that I will get a photo of the 'Grandis Ode' tomorrow-tho' the weather has been rather cold and rainy..still, hopefully the vertically enhanced gum tree will stay on it's best behaviour for the occasion..

 

How are things going over there?

We are back in lockdown here so it's a bit strange. Cold here too. I love working from home though. Nice to go to Thailand .. maybe 2022 now

[HighPriority]

In a topic that I’m sure is close to Owls heart I got my COVID jab yesterday ????

It must have been a tiny needle, I didn’t feel anything other than the alcohol wipe, sat down for 15 mins then on my way.

Booked to get my second shot on 25th August.

No side effects as yet, although it’s a bit disconcerting having Bill Gates telling me that I can continue doing other work  while downloads are in progress… ????

[Odysseus123]

22 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

We are back in lockdown here so it's a bit strange. Cold here too. I love working from home though. Nice to go to Thailand .. maybe 2022 now

Best of luck down there!Yes,I guess you are now entering the inclement season with a vengeance.

Stay well,stay safe...my friend.

Edited June 3, 2021 by Odysseus123

[Odysseus123]

14 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

In a topic that I’m sure is close to Owls heart I got my COVID jab yesterday ????

I am booked for three weeks time..I am pleased that you passed thru the fiery trial without incident.????

[rumak]

who was it that knew Assourance (spelling wrong i'm sure)............... the bicycle rider.

 

i messaged with him a few time.     He told me he was feeling VERY tired.   Then he passed away.       Anyone can tell me what happenned ,  what illness ?