Diary of a farang in Isaan

[Fat is a type of crazy]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Owl Log - 19-07-2021 - Monday afternoon

 

Be off in a jiff to pick up some stuff from the DinL's house on the main road (2022). Will take a few trips to get it all. It was only earlier this year that they moved in. Some guy blessed the house and the couple. Well it's all over. Finished! Finalised last Friday in Ban Dung. I guess that's the end of the 150k baht I loaned them.

 

My avocado tree is doing well. Not so many roots, but looking strong.

 

 

The other little un is starting to catch up. These two are the same age.

Nature sure works in magical ways.

 

 

Our man has started cutting around the eucas in number one.

 

 

Have to get him a new cutter blade this afternoon; on our way to the DinL. Looks OK.

 

 

Me and daughter have been doing number four farm. Mildred has taken to using the chog-chog big time. We are in a dense area of weed at the mo. Over by the old tree that was cut down last year. Probably not do any cutting today due to other chores.

 

There is still time for a bit of net fishing. And when she strikes lucky? If it's a tilapia then it's into the pot and if a carp then it is popped into number six pond.

 

 

 

Chai and his brother have been pumping water from number one pond into our two rai paddy.

 

 

Can see where the water has gone down. That will be fine for the pond if there is some decent rain. The overflow pipes from the paddy into ponds one and two will soon have them filled. We are getting one third of the harvest. I reckon about 45 sacks in all; so that's 15 for us.

 

No rain to speak of so far this year though; just a few showers. That's it.

 

 

That's our old Kubota and cart. Looks like our Archimedes pipe too. I'll check.

 

 

Yup. It is! Just forgot to ask me.

 

 

Nothing too scientific about it.

 

 

If the worst comes to the worst, I'll sacrifice pond two to fill up number one. Can't do it the other way round as it would hurt Mildred's snails.

 

 

Quite overcast at the mo'. I've given up all hope of serious rain this month. If we are gonna get it at all, it will be August and maybe September.

 

I've been sharpening up the cutters and the cropper with the electric stone. I'll get a decent file today. Blades will last longer using one, and I can do the sharpening at the farm.

 

The Mekongs in number five pond usually keep down the deep end.  Mildred has been spotting them at the near end. I'm usually straight into the euca farm now-a-days. She does the feeding.

 

Not yet fixed the pipework for the water supply into the bathroom. Been taking the main pipe off, and connecting up to the water heater in the evenings, and then swapping back for the daytime. Such is life.

 

Have the Brits ever done as badly as they did over the week end at The Open. Best placed was Robert MacIntyre (Scot) at number eight, Shane Lowry (Irish) at twelve and Paul Casey (Eng) at fifteen. I blame it on the lock-downs. We just couldn't practice like the others.

 

So the first game in is The Bees v The Gunners on Friday evening (Aug 13th). I personally think the champions should play in the first game. That would have been Spurs v Man City.

 

A lot of regulars have gone AWOL. Sotonowl, Bluesofa, Kadilo and others. Is it time for a change of format? Suggestions anyone?

 

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

Still liking the posts. It's refreshing to read people doing things instead of all the posts about covid or whether you like coffee or beer or similar. Hope you get some rain and stay safe. The videos don't work well for me.. they always are stop start. Used to see Bluesofa posts all over the place but not now so I am guessing he's taking a break. Same Peter Dennis and Sotonowl.  Though I tend just to look at a few bits of Asean Now so they may go to other parts. 

 

Start something with the hat lady and that'll get some likes. 

 

Girlfriend stuck in lockdown living with her aunty. Long distance relationships are not fun.  She has kept optimistic, learning to cook and stuff, so that's good. She makes these things still from time to time for the temple. 

 

 

Edited July 19, 2021 by Fat is a type of crazy

[owl sees all]

55 minutes ago, DJ54 said:

Hello Owl...  love reading the posts very interesting and informative... any tips on growing avocados from 

seeds.. ? 

Thank you for the kind words DJ54.

 

All I can offer is what I have done that has been successful. Must keep in mind that growing the tree from an avocado seed is a labour of love, not a commercial enterprise.

 

Well first enjoy the fruit. Put what's left in a cup of water for a day. Gently scrape off the skin. Being careful not to engage in the natural splits that will eventually be more visibly seen, push in some tooth pics. This allows the seed to be suspended in water.

 

 

I've tried planting the seed straight into the soil, but without success. But not to rule that out.

 

Make sure the bottom of the seed is always touching water. Sit back and grab a beer. Keep watch and about two months down the line there will be action. Exciting to see that first bit of root.

 

I've got one at the farm that is doing just great. It's as fat as my thumb now, and about 80cm tall. I'll get a pic in the week. Also Mildred has planted a pineapple cutting that has taken off. A pic of that too.

Edited July 19, 2021 by owl sees all

[Golden Triangle]

^^^^^ my other half is busy making banana fairy cakes ????

[owl sees all]

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

 

Start something with the hat lady and that'll get some likes. 

 

it's been difficult. Because Mildred has been off school home-teaching. I've not needed to go to Ban Dung so often, and when I do Mildred is invariably with me.

 

If she really likes me; she will wait. If she is trying to get me interested in her so I'll buy a hat, I'll be able to see through that scheme; hopefully. Last time I was in Ting's shop she accidentally brushed past me with her breasts. I said 'sorry' as you do; and got a nice smile back.

 

Mrs Owl has already asked why I need so many hats. Fortunately she likes handbags and shoes.

 

So the bottom line is that Ting will have to save herself for me. I'm sure she will.

 

 

[WhiteBuffaloATM]

interesting ; be careful you dont get reported to Immigration for “ working”.... this lifestyle appears a “throwback” to european farming communities some two hundred years ago, minimal mechanization, simple living, etc......

appealing to many I imagine.... but not for those who come here to relax , laze about and “subcontract” difficult stuff (nearly everything in my case) !

[Golden Triangle]

Sorry to hear about your D in L  and more so your 150k baht, fingers crossed you'll get some back, I have been lucky so far, many many years ago I lent 20k to a lady friend, yes, we were only friends, but I would have slipped her a portion without hesitation, but she paid it back bar about 2k, which never worried me as I was earning pretty good money at the time, she's married to a copper now and a bit lardy so I got away with that one ????

 

Also, about 7 years back I lent the outlaws 400k Baht, it was either me or the money lenders, my rates of 0 % were preferable to the money lenders, I also got most of that back, so all in all I haven't really lost much to Thai people that I care about.

 

I recently gave the outlaws 10k Baht, they are Boracic lint until they get a fruit crop to sell, hopefully not made a rod for my own back, but to an extent I can afford it. ????????????

[Odysseus123]

8 hours ago, DJ54 said:

Hello Owl...  love reading the posts very interesting and informative... any tips on growing avocados from 

seeds.. ? 

 

The cars you posted are awesome..  Thanks

 

 

I too am still enjoying the posts especially the photos-a good honest attempt to describe the minutiae of life in rural Isaan with a romantic side interest thrown in as well.????

 

However,as others have pointed out-I do find other elements of the forum quite constricting and not as enjoyable as they used to be. 

 

My wife and I have nearly finished renovating the Isaan house (under my step daughter's supervision) tho' I will never see it in it's re-incarnated form...

Meanwhile I continue to encourage my Thai family to receive any available vaccine as soon as they become available-my aged MiL especially. (hopefully Astra Zeneca)

 

We will see what the future brings.

 

[marty147]

17 hours ago, owl sees all said:

 

 

A lot of regulars have gone AWOL. Sotonowl, Bluesofa, Kadilo and others. Is it time for a change of format? Suggestions anyone?

 

 

 

Hi Owl

 

Like many others, I have found the forum less engaging recently.  ????

 

I consider myself a 'lurker' as I rarely post.

 

However, I have followed your thread from the beginning and have it flagged so that I never miss any updates.

 

Your style of posting is a breath of fresh air compared to the many barstool topics posted elsewhere on the forum.

 

I'm a fellow 'Isaanite' though with a much smaller farm. 

 

I felt an affinity with Asterix before his passing as I also cycle around 1000km per month around the local rice paddies and dirt tracks.

 

So, whilst I may not say it often enough, your efforts with this thread are very much appreciated so please continue.  ????

 

[bannork]

What a failure of a rainy season for us so far Owl. According to my app it's been belting it down further south in Kalasin, Chaiyaphum, etc but all we get are drizzle and short showers 

It's time for those of us in Ban Dung district to take some kind of affirmative action. We need to make some offering to the rain god. I could spare a couple of bunches of bananas and a bottle of Leo 

[owl sees all]

27 minutes ago, marty147 said:

I'm a fellow 'Isaanite' though with a much smaller farm. 

 

I felt an affinity with Asterix before his passing as I also cycle around 1000km per month around the local rice paddies and dirt tracks.

 

So, whilst I may not say it often enough, your efforts with this thread are very much appreciated so please continue. 

Good for you to post Marty. Why not get the snapper out and post a few pics?

 

Real shame with Asterix. He was mates with Bluesofa, who is also a 'cyclist'.

 

I keep the thread going for a couple of reasons. One is that I enjoy it. Constantly seeking out those images of Isaan that I like. Sometimes I'm lucky, and get a snap of a 'quirky' event. But mostly it's the more mundane aspects of life. Mildred might come to me and say; "Dad! The big lizard is back." Then it's off to the bathroom with the camera. I've also always been a bit of a writer. Writing comedy scripts for comedians to doing a monthly piece for a well know UK sports mag.

 

The second reason is for Mildred really. I store the pics away for the future. Probably have 20,000 now. One day, I hope she will take pride in showing her children what their Grandpa was up to in Thailand

Edited July 20, 2021 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

9 minutes ago, bannork said:

What a failure of a rainy season for us so far Owl. According to my app it's been belting it down further south in Kalasin, Chaiyaphum, etc but all we get are drizzle and short showers 

It's time for those of us in Ban Dung district to take some kind of affirmative action. We need to make some offering to the rain god. I could spare a couple of bunches of bananas and a bottle of Leo 

Failure!? It's downright terrible! A disgrace even! And they said it was gonna be a wet one! Don't ya just hate Kalasin and Roi-te.

 

Last year was bad; with only August doing the biz. This year so far, as you say Bannork, just drizzle and showers.

 

What to do? Not being a religious chap, I don't like the idea of wasting good bananas and beer. The answer is protestation. Let's join together in condemnation. There's your good self, me and Mildred, and I reckon I could get Chai along too. Who would listen? The authorities? The monks? Hat shop Ting?

 

On second thoughts; select only the best bananas Bannork.

[HighPriority]

And plenty of ice for the Leo ????????????????

[HighPriority]

YAY !!

Emoji are back ????

 

For Asterix ????????‍♂️????????‍♀️????????????????‍♂️????????‍♀️

[chickenslegs]

4 hours ago, bannork said:

We need to make some offering to the rain god. I could spare a couple of bunches of bananas and a bottle of Leo 

Hang out the washing and wash the car. That usually brings on the rain.

[Odysseus123]

5 hours ago, owl sees all said:

I store the pics away for the future.

Ah....

1967.

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by Odysseus123

[chickenslegs]

7 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

Ah....

1967.

 

Great photos Ody. They are just crying out to be "recreated"

Example ...

 

[Odysseus123]

9 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

Great photos Ody. They are just crying out to be "recreated"

Example ...

 

They were taken by my old friend who was an ex-USAF officer at Udon Thani in 1967 and who refurbished them and sent them to me as part of preserving his memories-as Owl intends to do ...I suspect that most of our stored electronic memories will be lost.

 

 

[HighPriority]

7 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

 ...I suspect that most of our stored electronic memories will be lost.

 

 

I’m ok with that Ode, I mean prior to our grandparents that was the normality of life and death.
Unless you were Henry viii, that is…

Ive got a couple of pic of my grandfather as a lad (looks like he’s out on the town, running amok with a couple of mates) and I think they’re great, but my 20 something kids couldn’t give a rats ????????‍♂️

 

ps great pic !

Edited July 20, 2021 by HighPriority

[Odysseus123]

27 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

but my 20 something kids couldn’t give a rats ????????‍♂️

I should say that the digital age certainly doesn't-in most cases- give a "ratz"...

However I was commenting on Owl's very laudable desire to create an archive for his daughter and,perhaps,other member's of his family.

..and gave some examples of an Air force officer who had done the same in 1967-photographing a Thailand which is/was rapidly disappearing into the mists of time...

 

[chickenslegs]

3 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

I should say that the digital age certainly doesn't-in most cases- give a "ratz"...

However I was commenting on Owl's very laudable desire to create an archive for his daughter and,perhaps,other member's of his family.

..and gave some examples of an Air force officer who had done the same in 1967-photographing a Thailand which is/was rapidly disappearing into the mists of time...

 

If you haven't already done so, you might consider posting these photos in one of the photography forums here. I'm sure a lot of members would like to see them.

The new format has made it a bit difficult to find the sub-forums, so here is a link if you're interested.

https://aseannow.com/forum/155-thailand-and-siam-history-photos/

[Odysseus123]

3 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

If you haven't already done so,

I thought that the photos would demonstrate Owl's desire to "capture the fleeting moment" and to "archive his memories"-it's just that I stepped us back a little more in time thru the provenance of Captain Ken's photos-photos which over the passage of time would be lost or the medium irretrievably damaged by age and time.

In fact I believe many were lost before he digitalized them and sent them to family and friends.

I like this thread as it has consistently demonstrated intellectual integrity over the many posts..

Thank you for the link.

 

[Sterling]

I just checked @bluesofa's profile and he last visited on June 3rd. Let's hope he's just having technical difficulties (or taking a break from the forums) and he's able to rejoin us soon.

[HighPriority]

4 hours ago, Sterling said:

I just checked @bluesofa's profile and he last visited on June 3rd. Let's hope he's just having technical difficulties (or taking a break from the forums) and he's able to rejoin us soon.

Yes, I hope you’re correct, I think that the forum reset also catches out a lot of people who have trouble keeping passwords.

[sotonowl]

On 7/19/2021 at 10:00 AM, owl sees all said:

Owl Log - 19-07-2021 - Monday afternoon

 

Be off in a jiff to pick up some stuff from the DinL's house on the main road (2022). Will take a few trips to get it all. It was only earlier this year that they moved in. Some guy blessed the house and the couple. Well it's all over. Finished! Finalised last Friday in Ban Dung. I guess that's the end of the 150k baht I loaned them.

 

My avocado tree is doing well. Not so many roots, but looking strong.

 

 

The other little un is starting to catch up. These two are the same age.

Nature sure works in magical ways.

 

 

Our man has started cutting around the eucas in number one.

 

 

Have to get him a new cutter blade this afternoon; on our way to the DinL. Looks OK.

 

 

Me and daughter have been doing number four farm. Mildred has taken to using the chog-chog big time. We are in a dense area of weed at the mo. Over by the old tree that was cut down last year. Probably not do any cutting today due to other chores.

 

There is still time for a bit of net fishing. And when she strikes lucky? If it's a tilapia then it's into the pot and if a carp then it is popped into number six pond.

 

 

 

Chai and his brother have been pumping water from number one pond into our two rai paddy.

 

 

Can see where the water has gone down. That will be fine for the pond if there is some decent rain. The overflow pipes from the paddy into ponds one and two will soon have them filled. We are getting one third of the harvest. I reckon about 45 sacks in all; so that's 15 for us.

 

No rain to speak of so far this year though; just a few showers. That's it.

 

 

That's our old Kubota and cart. Looks like our Archimedes pipe too. I'll check.

 

 

Yup. It is! Just forgot to ask me.

 

 

Nothing too scientific about it.

 

 

If the worst comes to the worst, I'll sacrifice pond two to fill up number one. Can't do it the other way round as it would hurt Mildred's snails.

 

 

Quite overcast at the mo'. I've given up all hope of serious rain this month. If we are gonna get it at all, it will be August and maybe September.

 

I've been sharpening up the cutters and the cropper with the electric stone. I'll get a decent file today. Blades will last longer using one, and I can do the sharpening at the farm.

 

The Mekongs in number five pond usually keep down the deep end.  Mildred has been spotting them at the near end. I'm usually straight into the euca farm now-a-days. She does the feeding.

 

Not yet fixed the pipework for the water supply into the bathroom. Been taking the main pipe off, and connecting up to the water heater in the evenings, and then swapping back for the daytime. Such is life.

 

Have the Brits ever done as badly as they did over the week end at The Open. Best placed was Robert MacIntyre (Scot) at number eight, Shane Lowry (Irish) at twelve and Paul Casey (Eng) at fifteen. I blame it on the lock-downs. We just couldn't practice like the others.

 

So the first game in is The Bees v The Gunners on Friday evening (Aug 13th). I personally think the champions should play in the first game. That would have been Spurs v Man City.

 

A lot of regulars have gone AWOL. Sotonowl, Bluesofa, Kadilo and others. Is it time for a change of format? Suggestions anyone?

 

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

Sorry mate, still an avid reader just not posting as much. The format is spot on, as far as i'm concerned anyway.

Ref the Open Championship, I backed the winner and had a few places as well as they were paying first 11 places. I now have a system in place for my golf bets and it's paying off, my account totals are rising steadily. How long will it last, heaven knows but I live in hope and fear that they'll give me the chop even though the quantities are small.

For you Hammers fans, did you see the golf bag of Billy Horschel, what's that all about? A yank Hammers fan? 

As for Bluesofa, that's getting a little concerning now, does no-one have his contact details. Hope he's OK.

[Odysseus123]

For "Owl"

An historical curiosity from the Napoleonic Wars..

 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 22-07-2021 - Thursday morning

 

Had to go to town yesterday. Mildred had to get something from school. She was picking up her weekly schedule and handing in last week's homework. Anyway, while she was upstairs, I had a wander round, and found this wonderful tree. It was one of the straightest trees I'd ever seen.

 

 

Straight; or what.

 

 

The grass had recently been cut, but I was dismayed to see that not only was the rubbish not picked up, but it had been chopped up!

 

 

Also went over to the water section and there they were. A rare sight now. When I first came to Thailand they were absolutely everywhere. Virtually all houses had at least one.

 

 

On the way back I found a leccy box. Someone robbed the shillings!

 

 

About two months ago, Mildred planted a pineapple cutting. To be fair, she has mothered it, It's her baby.

 

 

Grow! And it is.

 

 

I've got my own favourite tree. An avocado grown from seed. Tree behind still standing.

 

 

Called into the 20 baht shop. The only thing that caught my eye was a pack of tape measures.

 

 

A real bargain. Best shop in town. Mildred's artwork on the wall.

 

 

Interesting description of the tapes. Translator mush have been on the Lao Khow.

 

 

Back at the farm number one pond had more water extracted.

 

 

"What yer up to Mil?"

 

 

"Catching little fish Dad." "How many yer caught?"

 

 

Not seen these fish in the ponds before. Think they are a type of 'goumai'. Mildred popped them into her little pond.

 

Got a new blade for our man's grass cutter.

 

 

Not too expensive; 180 baht. A 14 incher. My own was down to just 6 inches; so of no real use.

 

Always on the look out for nice skies. This one would have been even nicer if it had come over and made us wet. But no! Went off to Kalasin or somewhere.

 

@sotonowl did OK in the UK golf open. In the dosh he is! Wish he had told me!

 

Regular posters have left us; forever it seems!

 

The DinL has fallen out with Mrs Owl. Or is it the other way round. I think it's because the gold interest hasn't been paid in the shop. It's 600 baht a month. Getting info' here is like pulling out teeth with a pair of pliers.

 

Passed by the hat shop yesterday. Ting was just inside the door. Mask under her chin. Didn't notice how nice her ears were before.

 

Got Maria Callas singing in the background as I type away. Just beautiful.

 

Mrs Owl's spare battery arrived yesterday. That's two that she has for her cutter now. I said to mark one so she wouldn't get them mixed up. Wouldn't want her to get to the farm to find one not charged. I might have to do it.

 

I do like a soft pillow. Bought two in Big C. Very soft. Got to the check out. Mrs Owl spotted the pillows in my basket. "Why you only buy two, farang?" I bit of quick thinking was in order. "One for Mildred and one for you." I nudged Mildred, and she scooted off to get another one. 89 baht each. Nice plastic coverings too. Fitted the trash-bin in the kitchen nicely. Another good saving.

 

Sorted out the bathroom. Bought a pipe in Ban Dung. Slight leak from the joined pipes outside. I'll fix that later.

 

No rain. But!!! It does say heavy rain, starting on Friday evening and into the night. We'll keep 'em crossed.

 

There's only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

Edited July 22, 2021 by owl sees all

[sotonowl]

If I had any sure fire winners Owl, you'd all be the first to know. At the moment, my system has been working, but it's a question of a) knowing the players, who I've been watching for a few years now and b) understanding some of the bets are going to go down as not all the bets can win.

I watch the improving players and the ones dropping away, although it's not an exact science as they can invariably confound the form and do the exact opposite of what you were expecting, as you'll well know.

The amounts we're talking about are minuscule anyway, I don't gamble to try and win my fortune, just to fill the days up.????

I also cheat a little, as I have accounts in the wife's name and have taken advantage of the "New Member" offers and the free bets when they're offered. I always use a VPN and that probably stops them linking me with the wife via the IP address.

If you're interested, I'll PM you the system and you can try it out yourself.???? It's not a complicated one.

I bet you're regretting mentioning me now.

Edited July 22, 2021 by sotonowl
edit

[owl sees all]

7 minutes ago, sotonowl said:

If I had any sure fire winners Owl, you'd all be the first to know. At the moment, my system has been working, but it's a question of a) knowing the players, who I've been watching for a few years now and b) understanding some of the bets are going to go down as not all the bets can win.

I watch the improving players and the ones dropping away, although it's not an exact science as they can invariably confound the form and do the exact opposite of what you were expecting, as you'll well know.

The amounts we're talking about are minuscule anyway, I don't gamble to try and win my fortune, just to fill the days up.????

I also cheat a little, as I have accounts in the wife's name and have taken advantage of the "New Member" offers and the free bets when they're offered. I always use a VPN and that probably stops them linking me with the wife via the IP address.

If you're interested, I'll PM you the system and you can try it out yourself.???? It's not a complicated one.

If I'd gone for a win and top 5 it would have been Jorden Spieth. But after the first round van Tongen caught my eye as a top ten finisher. Finished up losing 1-40.

 

Footy season about to start. Any more golf this year?

[sherwood]

23 hours ago, HighPriority said:

Yes, I hope you’re correct, I think that the forum reset also catches out a lot of people who have trouble keeping passwords.

He seems fine and is a refugee on an other forum as are many others.

[sotonowl]

2 hours ago, owl sees all said:

If I'd gone for a win and top 5 it would have been Jorden Spieth. But after the first round van Tongen caught my eye as a top ten finisher. Finished up losing 1-40.

 

Footy season about to start. Any more golf this year?

Yes, golf is on most of the year It's the 3M Open which starts today.

First tip, never ever bet on the golf if they're just paying first 5. Has to be a minimum of first 8. They're just TTP at first 5.