Diary of a farang in Isaan

[Lacessit]

On 5/31/2021 at 8:17 AM, FarFlungFalang said:

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.

 

[chickenslegs]

2 hours ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

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

 

When he's banned we usually hear from his French pal.

It's even odds that he's run off with the hat lady.

[chickenslegs]

On 5/29/2021 at 8:44 PM, sotonowl said:

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.

 

35 minutes ago, rumak said:

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 ?

I think it was Bluesofa who knew AT.

Sotonowl posted as above. News starts near the bottom of page 38.'

[Fat is a type of crazy]

8 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

When he's banned we usually hear from his French pal.

It's even odds that he's run off with the hat lady.

I think the powers that be had at some point looked to close a certain loophole such that banned means banned. I don't think Owl's  special close friend  Voulez Vouz has been seen for a while but I could be wrong.

[Odysseus123]

1 hour ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

I think the powers that be had at some point looked to close a certain loophole such that banned means banned. I don't think Owl's  special close friend  Voulez Vouz has been seen for a while but I could be wrong.

Yes...but it seems that a number of our colleagues are missing in action.FFF,Bluesofa,Faraday..Andrew Dwyer..

...and if the anti-vax doomsayers have their way..soon to be High Priority..????

[faraday]

Still here, been in hospital for a few days having a Microdisectomy. Pain free at the moment after bloody months of hobbling about, like a pensioner..

 

Oh...wait, I am one...????????????

[colinneil]

3 minutes ago, faraday said:

Still here, been in hospital for a few days having a Microdisectomy. Pain free at the moment after bloody months of hobbling about, like a pensioner..

 

Oh...wait, I am one...????????????

Stop moaning Faraday, at least you can hobble about, better than being stuck in bed, or in a chair.????????????????

 

Get well soon mate, we are all rooting for you.????

[rumak]

35 minutes ago, faraday said:

Still here, been in hospital for a few days having a Microdisectomy. Pain free at the moment after bloody months of hobbling about, like a pensioner..

 

Oh...wait, I am one...????????????

 

good to hear that the pain seems to have alleviated.     I have had back pain......... so know how it can make life miserable.

good luck on the recovery !

[rumak]

On 5/13/2020 at 12:10 PM, owl sees all said:

I'm absolutely devastated. So sudden. So fit too.

 

He was talking about coming to see me at my place once C-19 was done and dusted.

 

I've got some lovely pics to remind me of him.

 

This one is on my desktop. Lovely.

 

 

RIP.

 

i was stunned too.   I just really wonder what could have caused such a sudden downfall.

 

Thanks for the poster that looked back and found the news on page 38.     ahhh    chickenslegs   

[chickenslegs]

2 hours ago, rumak said:

Thanks for the poster that looked back and found the news on page 38.     ahhh    chickenslegs   

No. It was Sotonowl. I just quoted his post.

[owl sees all]

"""Odds on reasons for Owl sees all 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."""

 

Thanks for the speculation FFF.

 

Back in the land of the posting.

 

And to HP for getting the jab; ????????????????? Couldn't possibly comment any further.

 

Owl Log waiting to go. When I return from farm.

[FarFlungFalang]

Triple F reporting for duty.Been a bit busy perfecting my sh!t shovelling technique and a bit of shopping now paying the price in lower back pain and doing a Colin and being a grumpy lay about.

I better fill the void with some pics.

Firstly my sh!t collection is growing.

 

 

And the vicious guard animals guarding and producing sh!t.

 

 

Finally a thunder head that is passing by.

 

 

I think I warned  Mr Owl when he referred to the hat lady on a first name basis that it was a danger Will Robinson scenario!Hopefully Mrs Owl hasn't cottoned on and done Mr Owl the Isaan woman scorned thing, or that he hasn't fallen of his perch ladder trying to fix the roof.

Oh there he is now speak of devil.

[FarFlungFalang]

10 hours ago, colinneil said:

Stop moaning Faraday, at least you can hobble about, better than being stuck in bed, or in a chair.????????????????

 

Get well soon mate, we are all rooting for you.????

Good to see you're still rooting Col!

Edit: gees that comment can be taken numerous way especially if you have a mate named Col!

[HighPriority]

1 hour ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Good to see you're still rooting Col!

Edit: gees that comment can be taken numerous way especially if you have a mate named Col!

I’m especially glad you didn’t call him Colin…????

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 04-06-2021 - Friday evening

 

Well Guv'. it was like this; honest!

 

Went to visit a pal in Udon on Tuesday. Thought I'd wait until the evening before posting, as I could get in some pics of my favourite Buddha. Got home, settled and fired up the comp'. All was OK for about 5 minutes. Then the Win' 10 message: "Windows 10 has encountered a problem and needs to re-start." No problem. Has happened before quite a few times. But this time it didn't re-start. It started to when another message arrived on the screen: "Windows has not successfully restarted. yadda, yadda yadda" Just click on the little box. All will be ticky-boo. But no! We were in a cycle of 'off'; then 'on'.

 

I recalled the days of old. Just hit the F8 on re-start and run in 'safe mode'. No problem. Safe mode arrived. I spent the next two hours copying all the vids, pics and scripts. That was Tuesday taken care of. Wednesday morning arrived. The comp' was sure to have sorted itself out over night? No! So what to do? I had Linux Mint on a Flash drive. I would try it. But when I tried it before, the comp' didn't like it. Another big remember. Hit F2 and the BIOS shows. Success!  I carefully searched, and enabled a few things that were disabled. Restarted with a UBS. Bingo!

 

The majority of Wednesday was taken up with trying to make sense of Mint. Thursday morning too. But then a breakthrough. Sussed out that if a file was closed; it disappeared. Loaded on Thunderbird; for the third time. Loaded up Google Earth Pro and a Downloader. Thunderbird was OK. But could I remember all the passwords? I had written them down fortunately. No luck with a Downloader or GEP though.

 

l learned enough in three days to do an Owl Log. Not yet sorted how to alter the size of pic's. Or how to run a vid' on Thai Visa. But early days yet.

 

Windows 10, 11 and 69; <deleted> right off.

 

My favourite Buddha was looking grand. Still some more painting and tiling to do but looking lovely. A couple of visitors - apart from me - wandering around too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before I left Udon for home, I snapped a nice Buddha in the down-town area.

 

 

At the farm, our worker was doing a great job cutting the grass.

 

 

Around the ponds. Along the road ways. And yesterday, finished the main road area.

 

Before cutting.

 

 

 

After

 

 

And after me and Mildred trimmed the eucas today,

 

 

Charkie is not a well cat. Mrs Owl whacking her about three times a day, and now I have seen the black and white cat in her spot on the wall, under the sat' dish. Not just once, but every day.

 

 

The trimmers have been working overtime.

 

 

I blame Mildred. She loves 'em. Can't put them down once she starts. No problem fixing them. Just lashings of insulation tape did the job.

 

 

 

Mildred gave them a good work-out this evening. Says they are fantastic. Wants to keep them in her pocket at all times.

 

Having a little problem with mice and rats in the rice store. Only a few bags in there now. But later this year will see 50 or so piled up.

 

 

What to do? My solution is cats. Like the old days when we had 40 charging about the farm. OK; so I'll have to feed them, or they will gradually wander off. Only so many rats to feast on. Mrs Owl's solution - like many Thais - is to poison them. Chai thinks it best to trap them. But he is partial to rat soup, so he would say that wouldn't he?

 

I'm thinking about it.

 

It's not only rats that are not playing cricket. It's those kadek-kadeks (insects) that are eating Mrs Owl's little trees. I go to the farm every day. Whereas the wife only goes when she thinks she has to. A couple of weeks back I noticed little nibbles starting.

 

 

I picked a bucket of Neem leaves and soaked them in water. A few days ago the water was strained off and filled into little sprayers.

 

 

Is it working good? We will see. Have to do a test area. Not just spray it all over like old 'enry. Neem is certainly a unique tree for keeping the insects away. And it's not toxic!

 

 

Rain, rain. Where are you? All the farmers around here, that sowed early, are keeping 'em crossed. As is sister Pook. Her recent farming escapades have been disastrous enough. Chai will be asking for a lend of some water again shortly.

 

The tree on the main road is two years old this week. It's a fine tree. If some of the others are as big and strong this time next year, I'll be delighted.

 

 

Couldn't go to Udon without calling in on Buddha Bunny. Left foot needs attention; but he keeps on smiling.

 

 

Not got anywhere near mastering the Linux OS. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

Been so busy this week that I've not tuned in to the Richie Allen radio show once; or listened to Alex Belfield's streams. But, I notice one of my regulars, has been chucked out of the UK's NHS. So sad!? She has a million followers on her tippy-tappy too. Tony Gosling tonight on thisweek.org. I'll catch him tomorrow morning.

 

Are England gonna win the Europe Cup? I'm sure they will do better than our entry in the Eurovision. Sticks in my ears; that one. The UK media blamed the other countries for not giving us a fair do, but I blame the entry. Not yet been able to listen to them all through. Bring back Cliff Richard!

 

Great to see Brentford back in the top-flight. Last time; before I was even born.

 

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

 

[FarFlungFalang]

2 hours ago, HighPriority said:

I’m especially glad you didn’t call him Colin…????

Ha Ha! Col is also short for Colleen!Of course I realised this after realising my gender bias and politically incorrectness.I suffer from PI.

[chickenslegs]

On 6/4/2021 at 9:02 PM, owl sees all said:

Bring back Cliff Richard!

 

 

Did Cliff ever win the Eurovision Song Contest? I thought he did, but google says "no".

 

Quote

The United Kingdom's five winners are Sandie Shaw with the song "Puppet on a String" (1967), Lulu with "Boom Bang-a-Bang" (1969 tied), Brotherhood of Man with "Save Your Kisses for Me" (1976), Bucks Fizz with "Making Your Mind Up" (1981) and Katrina and the Waves with "Love, Shine a Light" (1997).

 

I remember Bucks Fizz and the girls ripping off their skirts, but Lulu made an everlasting impression on 13-year-old me. She's still gorgeous at 70+.

 

 

[faraday]

5 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

remember Bucks Fizz and the girls ripping off their skirts, but Lulu made an everlasting impression on 13-year-old me. She's still gorgeous at 70+.

 

 

Yes, the skirt ripping moment....????

 

I think until then, I looked a girl's as interesting but a bit annoying, after that I kind of woke up. ????????

 

Didn't Sir Cliff have a hit with "The Khiddy & The Fiddler" or some such title?

 

Jokes aside, it was all 'good clean fun' then, & while change is inevitable, change for changes sake, isn't.

 

Although some of you may know different, there doesn't appear to have been the radical social changes here, that occurred - & continue thus, in farangistan. 

 

After all, women's lib never happened here...

 

Thoughts/experience anyone?

[Fat is a type of crazy]

1 hour ago, faraday said:

Yes, the skirt ripping moment....????

 

I think until then, I looked a girl's as interesting but a bit annoying, after that I kind of woke up. ????????

 

Didn't Sir Cliff have a hit with "The Khiddy & The Fiddler" or some such title?

 

Jokes aside, it was all 'good clean fun' then, & while change is inevitable, change for changes sake, isn't.

 

Although some of you may know different, there doesn't appear to have been the radical social changes here, that occurred - & continue thus, in farangistan. 

 

After all, women's lib never happened here...

 

Thoughts/experience anyone?

I am not sure about the link between Eurovision and women's liberation but If I was a woman I would want everything that women's liberation can bring and more.

 

However I am attracted to the Thai lady mindset. I feel that mindset has a certain peace and let's me be myself too. I was a bit shocked when I came to Thailand and found you can have what you what and not be forced to feel guilty or bad. 

 

However I see some guys take advantage of that and dominate woman in a negative way. 

I suppose we can let others decide for themselves what is best. If the future leads to women having more freedom and opportunity and personal fulfillment, and that is at the  the expense of their attractiveness to some men, guess we have to cop it. If there is some natural balance it will probably swing back in time. 

 

  

[Odysseus123]

A few weeks ago I promised FFF that I would drop in to see the "Grandis"- reputedly the tallest tree in NSW.

It's jolly big that's for sure and because of the constricted nature of the site quite difficult to photograph..

 

So you have all been busy rootin',tootin' and shootin'...????

 

[Odysseus123]

I am going to cheat a little to show the size of the tree..

 

[faraday]

That's a big 'un, Ody....'spect you've been told that many a time though. ????

[Odysseus123]

9 minutes ago, faraday said:

That's a big 'un, Ody....'spect you've been told that many a time though. ????

I only ever post composite photographs on the internet....????

 

Best wishes for your recovery from the surgery.I hope that 'Bluesofa' is recovering as well.????

[Golden Triangle]

Just my thoughts on the subject, I enjoyed AT's pictures & postings, one day he was here the next day he wasn't.

 

Extremely sad, for him, his family & us, but I temper that with the thought that he didn't suffer a painful illness for too long, I have had friends, I'm sure we all have, who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and suffered unnecessarily for far to long while the bank account has been plundered by the hospital, let's face it most of us are of that age now.

 

I don't want that to happen to me, I want her indoors to have the money, she of all people deserves it the most. 

 

None of us are here forever, I've enjoyed my life, had some scary moments with the bomb squad in Belfast and mainland UK, but had a whale of a time doing it as I was young & bullet proof, some of the guys I worked with weren't so lucky, but hey here I am 40 something years later telling you lot about it ???? I still wanna go quick though. ????????????????????

[chickenslegs]

8 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

It's jolly big that's for sure and because of the constricted nature of the site quite difficult to photograph..

If you lay on your back and look up at it you get an exaggerated impression of it's size.

That's what Mrs C tells me anyway.

[bannork]

Are you enjoying the rain now, Owl? After days of intermittent drizzle, it's tipping down now. 

Where is that Buddhist temple on the way to Udon? 

I'm taking my passport to Ban Dung hospital today to register for the Covid vaccine. Will let you know if successful.

Having recently spent a week in Ban Dung hospital due to crushing my left hand in a sugar cane cutting machine,  I saw at close quarters many elderly folk near to death, people on kidney dialysis, diabetics with infected wounds, and it only confirmed my own wish, expressed by some here, ' let me go quickly when the time comes.'

Right now I'm feeling fitter than I did in my youth, that's what living on a farm does for you, but once illness makes the quality of life just suffering with no hope of improvement, then it's time to go.

I think the mods should start a new forum, 'Euthanasia' or perhaps something more euphemistic, 'Adieu Fellow Posters', ' Travels Beyond ' etc whereby fellow posters provide some assistance to ensure a peaceful journey to the other side for stricken members. (in jest, mods).

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 08-06-2021 - Tuesday morning

 

Rain has arrived. What I call extended drizzle. Although, as I glance outside it has momentarily eased. More later hopefully. Went to Ban Dung yesterday and it did rain very hard while we were in Big C, but only for ten minutes or so.

 

Fortunately I snapped the bridge repair workers on the way to town, or I would not have got much with the rain and darkness on the way back.

 

The guys are on the last section as the traffic thunders by.

 

 

 

 

 

After the final concrete pour, all that'll be left is to clean up the road.

 

 

What's with these awful pictures? Have my eyes suddenly gone kaput? The camera not snapping well? Or, more likely, have not been able to master the Linux 'pix' programme! They are simply terrible.

 

Bad news about the avocado. Just died a death. Mildred sad.

 

 

Never mind Mil. We'll replace it with a mango plant.

 

 

Mrs Owl's Grandson; Snack, has been staying with us.

 

 

Town boy. Lives in Phitsanulok. Got him euca trimming at the week end.

 

 

Another tree done.

 

 

Yes; well! More practice needed. But it's not always easy if the spurs are a bit robust.

 

 

Best to leave that one.

 

Snapped an interesting wagon on the way to town. Not too sure what he lfts up. Maybe concrete rings.

 

 

Back at the village, the twins came around to see me.

 

 

Is the tree going down soon?

 

 

Just the roots stopping it.

 

 

Village Buddha pond construction at a standstill. Must be a funding problem. Five year plan.

 

 

Chai's farm is in need of water. The rain this morning will help. But it's stopped (another glance outside).

 

Lovely trees in the distance.

 

 

I'm really annoyed with myself, that I'm not able to post decent pic's. They are desperatly poor. Am I past it? Or is the Linus programme just <deleted>? Maybe the camera! Hopefully I'll have it sorted soon. Still unable to post a vid'. But, I'm not going back to Windozzzzee; honest.

 

Mrs Owl has suggested that we take Snack back to Phinsanulok at the week end. I've not said 'yes' or 'no'; yet. Think his mother should really. We will see. Thinking about it.

 

No-one has asked me to register for any jib-jabs. Keeping my head down on this. Rather I was not asked. Might have to see my Visa lady to get a jab-passport for the future though. Some regular posters are getting their shots. Hope they stay well.

 

Another win for England in the footy. Is that ten wins on the trot? Must be close to a record.

 

Listened to more Eurovision songs. Don't like the English one, but being a fair-minded Dagenite lad, I thought I'd give the others a fair go. Might stop now. The chance of finding one I can listen to right through is slim.

 

Found a bouncy tune, while watching some wood-turning on YT.

 

 

The tune is 'My Train's a comin' - Unicorn Heads. Definitely not EuroViz style:

 

Definitely a relaxation of the mask wearing in Ban Dung yesterday. 100% in Big C, but around town about 75% compliance.. Kept a sausage in my top pocket just in case.

 

Hip is gradually improving, Time for some more footy. Best if I play in goal.

 

Very dull outside. No rain for 45 minutes. That's it for this month I reckon.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

[Golden Triangle]

 

 

 

For members who have no idea about the uniqueness of the county of Essex in a beautiful part of the UK I hope this short translation will help ????????????

 

 

[faraday]

Took me a little while to understand what a 'corta panda' is.... very funny!

 

????????

[owl sees all]

On 6/8/2021 at 8:18 AM, bannork said:

Having recently spent a week in Ban Dung hospital due to crushing my left hand in a sugar cane cutting machine

No good telling us now you've been released. Could have popped along to see you with some grapes, and a bottle of my reishi wine. And of course some Essex girl jokes to cheer you up.

 

Hospitals give me the creeps. In fact there was a hospital in Romford named 'Oldchurch'. Generally known as the 'place of no return'. Spent ten weeks in there as a kid (one of the lucky ones to get out), before being sent to Dartmoor for the summer to recover.

 

Heathercombe Break School - Dartmoor

 

 

Mildred was born at Ban Dung Hospital, so I can't say bad stuff about that one.

 

Don't let the jabbers get ya Bannork.