Diary of a farang in Isaan

[chickenslegs]

2 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

Where do they grow the little oranges Bannork? I'm sure they originate from Thailand. The are great eaters. Eat half-a-dozen for dinner sometimes.

 

 

I thought they were Satsumas, originally from Japan I think ????

 

 

Maybe clementines or mandarins from China

[Golden Triangle]

13 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

Maybe clementines or mandarins from China

Ah, forgot about them little buggers ????

[bannork]

An interesting tree in the village provides welcome relief for the kids from phone addiction 

[sotonowl]

I have a freedom of information request. 

Just what is happening with the hat lady?

And, did Mildred suss out the conundrum I sent her for further use?

[owl sees all]

18 hours ago, sotonowl said:

I have a freedom of information request. 

Just what is happening with the hat lady?

And, did Mildred suss out the conundrum I sent her for further use?

Great to get a post from a fellow Owl.

 

Last time I saw Ting (hat lady), she twisted my arm to buy one of her hats. Physical contact; very nice too. I picked out a nice white one. She placed it, adjusted it, and said I was most hansum man with the hat on. More physical contact. Mrs Owl accidentally tore it, putting it into the wash. Not to worry though. Soon fixed it up as good as new. Ting had a bright orange one at the shop last time. Might get it if it's still there on Monday when I go to Ban Dung. Also bought some strips of reishi.

 

Yes, the conundrum, I'll ask her about that. She has - with my help - been busy working on ways to determine square roots. We have two new solutions. One utilises Pi. The other a quadratic. Very interesting. Not seen either solution on the www.

 

Owls v Tractor boys tonight. Rooting for the Owls.

[bannork]

The intrepid explorer/ toddler, my grandson, Mawin, coerced for a photo-op by relatives and neighbours. 

He loves everything mechanical, turns wheels, open taps, tries to turn on the gas! 

If Owl hears of a house explosion in the Ban Dung, he knows who to contact.

[bannork]

Mango flowers becoming fruit 

 

[sotonowl]

9 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Great to get a post from a fellow Owl.

 

Last time I saw Ting (hat lady), she twisted my arm to buy one of her hats. Physical contact; very nice too. I picked out a nice white one. She placed it, adjusted it, and said I was most hansum man with the hat on. More physical contact. Mrs Owl accidentally tore it, putting it into the wash. Not to worry though. Soon fixed it up as good as new. Ting had a bright orange one at the shop last time. Might get it if it's still there on Monday when I go to Ban Dung. Also bought some strips of reishi.

 

Yes, the conundrum, I'll ask her about that. She has - with my help - been busy working on ways to determine square roots. We have two new solutions. One utilises Pi. The other a quadratic. Very interesting. Not seen either solution on the www.

 

Owls v Tractor boys tonight. Rooting for the Owls.

Owls 1-0 Tractor Boys.

 

Quick match report. They had plenty of the ball but never really threatened. I missed our goal due to the stream playing up, I must really get the Firestick up and running prior to the game and not at the last minute.. Wonder if that would work in Thailand or not, the stream that is. We had quite a few chances but just couldn't get the second. We have managed to get 2 decent centre backs in during the window so it's happy days from here on in. Just noticed there's been no PL games today, why would that be? African Cup is it?

[Andrew Dwyer]

Love how the mangoes develop from the flowers, this tree just starting out to show signs of fruit.

 

 

Whereas this other variety are ready for eating, gotta get them quickly before the turtles !!

 

[bannork]

Since retiring I can't be rsed to shave every day. I haven't noticed my cows giving me disapproving looks when I appear with a five o'clock shadow but after a few days I reach for the razor and shaving cream.

Only this time the can was empty, what to do? Get a bit of a lather going with a bar of soap and try that.

Brilliant, a close shave, if you know what I mean. What had I been doing buy that expensive Gillette cream at 200 baht plus a can when I could have simply used a bar of soap?

How much money have I wasted? Shaving for 50 years, a can lasting just over six weeks, say 8 cans a year=

1600 baht times 50 years= 80,000 baht!

How many beers, bottles of Johnny Walker could I have bought with that instead of wasting it ln frivolous, fluffy foam?

Learn something new every day. 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 30-01-2022 - Sunday afternoon

 

Is it good news or is it bad? Mildred tells me that she is back to school this week. Tuesday is the day. But she has to go in on Monday (tomorrow) for a school mass covid test. Now I'm thinking that if just one of these tests go positive - whether the person has the dreaded lurgy or not - then the whole school is off for another week or so. I'd rather she forgave school for this school year and start at the new school in April. Report on the school progress or otherwise later this week.

 

There is work in Ban Dung down the road parallel to the main drag. I've a feeling that they (don't know who 'they' are though) are going to relieve some of the traffic congestion.

 

 

Had to take the Ma-in-law to the hospital in Udon in the week. Got there for eight. It turned out to be very easy. While she was in the hospital with Mrs Owl looking after her, I took the opportunity to do what all red-blooded farang do when set loose; went shopping. Not for silly stuff like food and clothes. No! PVC pipes and tools. First stop; Do Home. Big rubber hammer and a few PVC parts. Didn't think their hose-pipes were cheap enough, so it was on to Home Hub. They are just along the N2 road. What a difference between the two stores. Do Home had maybe fifty customers, although the place is so big there could have been many more lurking somewhere. Home hub had just me and just one other; that I could see. Bought a 100m roll of 1 inch clear water pipe. They make such a fuss of you in there. Pretty girls come from everywhere to give a wai and greeting in English. Then on to VP. Cheapest place in town. Dozens of customers. Bought two chairs for 100 baht each.

 

Shopping completed, I was free to pursue that other thing that we like to do. Taking pics of things of interest. Only managed one pic before the mobile rang to say the ladies were ready to be picked up. Everything OK. Back at the village before twelve.

 

 

Unusual for a Thailand city. Quiet and clean.

 

Sorted out both sets of pipe back at the farm. Two inch PVC for pumping water into Mildred's sorry pond, and the hose-pipe for the Mrs to do her watering.

 

 

The new pipe has doubled the flow rate.

 

 

She was wearing my hat. Is she secretly saying something to me?

 

 

Go away from me farang, unless you want to get soaked.

 

The fittings from Do home were used fixing up the big pipe. Me and Mildred soon had it sorted.

 

 

Water in; and not before time.

 

 

The shallow end was so low.

 

 

Mildred put a stick in the mud to measure progress.

 

 

There were three tiny drops of rain  a week or so ago. Together would not have measured half a millimetre. So today is 100 days since a decent bit.

 

 

 

Mildred caught a beautiful common carp.

 

 

Put it in her pond. Only just enough water for it to swim away.

 

 

Wouldn't be a proper Owl Log without a lovely tree pic.

 

 

This one is just 30 metres from number three farm.

 

 

Sent away for some oil sticks for Mildred's art.

 

 

 

At the village, there must be plans to do work on the building, that will eventually be over the pond.

 

 

They pumped the water into the ponds next door. Never seen them so full.

 

 

The leaning tree is actually a Tamarind. Collected some fruit in the week.

 

 

Saying they are bitter is an understatement. Horrible!

 

Sunset over the palms.

 

 

Palm oil nuts are ten baht a kilo at the mo'.

 

Mildred loves animals. Especially Poo.

 

 

Since the last Owl Log the avocados outside have gone crazy.

 

 

Have five trees now. There are more seeds in the pot too. Everyone stops to admire them.

 

Guy has done great with the build on our land. Although he hasn't parted with any dosh as yet. Soon though!? As soon as the dosh starts rolling in from the shop. I'll do a special log on the build soon.

 

Why was the footy - well only the EPL - postponed this week. Absolutely outrageous.

 

So it's Nadal and Medvedev in the tennis today. All seems a waste of time now. Who won the ladies? Can't even be bothered to look.

 

After all my sorry head-phone episodes, where they were all breaking, I found a new supplier. the 20 baht shop. Yes! I jest you not fellow farangsters. Twenty baht for a super set. I've got them on now listening to some Russian Military marching music as I type. Anyway I'm off to ban Dung tomorrow, and I'll get a few sets as spares. If they have any left!

 

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

Edited January 30, 2022 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

5 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Love how the mangoes develop from the flowers, this tree just starting out to show signs of fruit.

 

The other variety are ready for eating, gotta get them quickly before the turtles !!

 

Love that pic.

[HighPriority]

Ash Barty, you silly English Farang !

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie…!

And I watched your chick cricketers almost choke this arvo, hanging on for a draw with numbers 10 & 11 saving your bacon for you.

It was a cracking final 15 overs (that’s all I saw of the entire match ????)

[Mutt Daeng]

6 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Owl Log - 30-01-2022 - Sunday afternoon

 

Is it good news or is it bad? Mildred tells me that she is back to school this week. Tuesday is the day. But she has to go in on Monday (tomorrow) for a school mass covid test. Now I'm thinking that if just one of these tests go positive - whether the person has the dreaded lurgy or not - then the whole school is off for another week or so. I'd rather she forgave school for this school year and start at the new school in April. Report on the school progress or otherwise later this week.

 

There is work in Ban Dung down the road parallel to the main drag. I've a feeling that they (don't know who 'they' are though) are going to relieve some of the traffic congestion.

 

 

Had to take the Ma-in-law to the hospital in Udon in the week. Got there for eight. It turned out to be very easy. While she was in the hospital with Mrs Owl looking after her, I took the opportunity to do what all red-blooded farang do when set loose; went shopping. Not for silly stuff like food and clothes. No! PVC pipes and tools. First stop; Do Home. Big rubber hammer and a few PVC parts. Didn't think their hose-pipes were cheap enough, so it was on to Home Hub. They are just along the N2 road. What a difference between the two stores. Do Home had maybe fifty customers, although the place is so big there could have been many more lurking somewhere. Home hub had just me and just one other; that I could see. Bought a 100m roll of 1 inch clear water pipe. They make such a fuss of you in there. Pretty girls come from everywhere to give a wai and greeting in English. Then on to VP. Cheapest place in town. Dozens of customers. Bought two chairs for 100 baht each.

 

Shopping completed, I was free to pursue that other thing that we like to do. Taking pics of things of interest. Only managed one pic before the mobile rang to say the ladies were ready to be picked up. Everything OK. Back at the village before twelve.

 

 

Unusual for a Thailand city. Quiet and clean.

 

Sorted out both sets of pipe back at the farm. Two inch PVC for pumping water into Mildred's sorry pond, and the hose-pipe for the Mrs to do her watering.

 

 

The new pipe has doubled the flow rate.

 

 

She was wearing my hat. Is she secretly saying something to me?

 

 

Go away from me farang, unless you want to get soaked.

 

The fittings from Do home were used fixing up the big pipe. Me and Mildred soon had it sorted.

 

 

Water in; and not before time.

 

 

The shallow end was so low.

 

 

Mildred put a stick in the mud to measure progress.

 

 

There were three tiny drops of rain  a week or so ago. Together would not have measured half a millimetre. So today is 100 days since a decent bit.

 

 

 

 

Mildred caught a beautiful common carp.

 

 

Put it in her pond. Only just enough water for it to swim away.

 

 

 

Wouldn't be a proper Owl Log without a lovely tree pic.

 

 

This one is just 30 metres from number three farm.

 

 

Sent away for some oil sticks for Mildred's art.

 

 

 

At the village, there must be plans to do work on the building, that will eventually be over the pond.

 

 

They pumped the water into the ponds next door. Never seen them so full.

 

 

The leaning tree is actually a Tamarind. Collected some fruit in the week.

 

 

Saying they are bitter is an understatement. Horrible!

 

Sunset over the palms.

 

 

Palm oil nuts are ten baht a kilo at the mo'.

 

Mildred loves animals. Especially Poo.

 

 

Since the last Owl Log the avocados outside have gone crazy.

 

 

Have five trees now. There are more seeds in the pot too. Everyone stops to admire them.

 

Guy has done great with the build on our land. Although he hasn't parted with any dosh as yet. Soon though!? As soon as the dosh starts rolling in from the shop. I'll do a special log on the build soon.

 

Why was the footy - well only the EPL - postponed this week. Absolutely outrageous.

 

So it's Nadal and Medvedev in the tennis today. All seems a waste of time now. Who won the ladies? Can't even be bothered to look.

 

After all my sorry head-phone episodes, where they were all breaking, I found a new supplier. the 20 baht shop. Yes! I jest you not fellow farangsters. Twenty baht for a super set. I've got them on now listening to some Russian Military marching music as I type. Anyway I'm off to ban Dung tomorrow, and I'll get a few sets as spares. If they have any left!

 

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

Another spot on post OWL.

[sotonowl]

All this talk of water pipes reminds me Owl, how is the prototype homemade sump pump coming along? Seems to have gone all quiet on that front.????

 

[owl sees all]

10 hours ago, sotonowl said:

All this talk of water pipes reminds me Owl, how is the prototype homemade sump pump coming along? Seems to have gone all quiet on that front.????

 

It is on the back burner for now. But good you ask.

 

Looked as though we had it cracked and then a small problem or two emerged. First was a small air leak. When it was running a tiny whistling sound could be heard. I patched that up with a dollop of mastic. That done, we ran it again, but this time the holding tank buckled.

 

I am looking for a container that will not capsize in on itself. And it would also have to be able to have pipes fitted onto it. I'll have it sorted soon, but for now, what with all the other things going on, it'll have to wait.

 

Owls for promotion? What you think Owl?

 

[sotonowl]

15 hours ago, owl sees all said:

It is on the back burner for now. But good you ask.

 

Looked as though we had it cracked and then a small problem or two emerged. First was a small air leak. When it was running a tiny whistling sound could be heard. I patched that up with a dollop of mastic. That done, we ran it again, but this time the holding tank buckled.

 

I am looking for a container that will not capsize in on itself. And it would also have to be able to have pipes fitted onto it. I'll have it sorted soon, but for now, what with all the other things going on, it'll have to wait.

 

Owls for promotion? What you think Owl?

 

It's not totally out of the question mate, I'm hoping we're about to go on a decent run.

We've had bad luck with injuries to central defenders with long term lay offs. We have managed to get Harlee Dean and Jordan Storey in on loan now so anything could happen. Autos are gone I think but top 6 is doable, got to get moving though. 

In others news, I had Luke List at 80/1 over the weekends golf, shows a small profit and long may it last.????

[sotonowl]

On 1/31/2022 at 5:49 PM, sotonowl said:

It's not totally out of the question mate, I'm hoping we're about to go on a decent run.

We've had bad luck with injuries to central defenders with long term lay offs. We have managed to get Harlee Dean and Jordan Storey in on loan now so anything could happen. Autos are gone I think but top 6 is doable, got to get moving though. 

In others news, I had Luke List at 80/1 over the weekends golf, shows a small profit and long may it last.????

And then we played Tuesday night and everything went to pot. Nice 2-0 win but 3 key injuries to Dean (on loan central defender and only played once) Bashiru (Key midfielder) Windass (Key striker). One more key player lost and that's us done for this season.

[Golden Triangle]

Fulham ( my team ) doing pretty well at the moment ????

[TropicalGuy]

On 11/19/2019 at 8:06 AM, EVENKEEL said:

My first time in Isaan I thought it was great, did the farang dance with land and house. I was still working so only stayed for 2 mos at a time. As time went by realized I wouldn't make this my retirement home, my reasoning was that I've worked too hard all my life to settle for this.....this being living in a rice paddie. Don't get me wrong, a lot of good hard working people. I didn't have to move to Thailand to live in the country, I grew up in the country, I have property in the country in the US. I would like to be nearer things that interest me, going to see a movie in English if I choose plus I love living near the sea.

 

Anyway, school for our daughter was becoming a topic of concern. Long story short we moved south to a little fishing village close to a nice beach, good schools, the move was for me as much as it was for our daughter. Plus, I'm a good 11 hrs by car away from THE family.

Makes sense. In Phuket Home since March 2020. Love it here by the beach & sea,  high on the hill with large swimming pool . Realized I’m not yet ready for retirement though.
 

That Isaan life doesn’t quite have the drama of “Yellowstone” does it ? even with all that killing, death and potential feuding ????. So is Owl perhaps feuding with the guy who killed his dog? Owl account reads like the old “Emmerdale Farm” UK TV series.Or BBC “ Countryfile”…. Not for me but see the gentle lifestyle attraction. 

If stuck up there on some rice / buffalo farm, I would be like that guy in “Airplane”, unable to escape the sad life story of fellow passenger and about to set himself alight having poured gasoline over his clothes  ….???????? Normally these guys are complaining that the nearest intl. hospital or mall is a four hour drive away …..

[sotonowl]

7 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

Fulham ( my team ) doing pretty well at the moment ????

They've been doing great.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 06-02-2022 - Sunday mid-dayish

 

Took Mildred to school for the mass testing last Monday. it seems that it wasn't the PCR test (as last time), but an ATK. Waited 1 minutes and then left. The system was different also.

 

 

Have to keep a look out for that number on the lottery next time round.

 

 

And quite logically, the girl in front had the next number.

 

 

Then it was up to the first station for something.

 

 

Into the hall. And the actual swab job.

 

 

I took an interest in the drinks. I happened to notice that the smaller ones were strangely labelled.

 

Strange, I thought. The school had their own drinks.

 

 

But I was more interested in the contents. Or to be more precise the amount of water that was actually in the bottle.

 

 

I took the empty back home and the best I could do was 345ml. Now I've got to make a decision. Do I inform the school that the water bottles are incorrectly labelled, or do I just forget it? I'll consult Mildred.

 

All that tree felling at the top of our road was for lights.

 

 

It's not just our junction (with the 2022), it's all along. And in Ban Dung too. Someone has has a brainwave.

 

The next crossroads has had the same treatment. Beautiful trees cut down.

 

 

Cut down for what?

 

 

To be replaced with a line of lights!?

 

 

If I thought it would do any good I'd complain. A moan will have to suffice. I said to Mrs Owl; "Teerak, they are cutting down lovely trees all along the road." "Cut down trees. Stop people die; motorbikes." Can't argue with that.

 

I've got some pics of the trees as it was from last year. I'll post and show the devastation next Owl Log.

 

A sad sight in Ban Dung. A once beautiful house has been neglected.

 

.

Looked as though it was restrorable from the front.

 

 

But obviously beyond repair as I discovered when i walked round the back.

 

 

Sad to see.

 

 

Another visit to the best shop in town; the 20 baht shop.

 

Bought a clock and a small colouring pack. I'll give that to a friend's niece when I next visit him.

 

 

And for me a few head-phone sets. The two i got for Lazada have gone kaput. The 20 baht ones are great; so far.

 

 

Have a pair on right now as I type the Owl Log. Listening to Rosa Ponselle's beautiful voice.

 

 

Made six litres of reishi drink in the week.

 

 

Ginger, onion, limes and reishi strips. Into the pot.

 

 

Get the fire ready.

 

 

When the brew has cooled, half will go towards the wine. The rest is swigged neat as I feel the need.

 

Been pumping water again. Have to keep a certain amount in pond six for the fish.

 

 

There was a news report about a tragic incident on a crossing last week when a doctor was hurt. I do think that crossings should be well maintained and better respected.

 

Outside Mildred's school.

 

 

If i stop in the pick-up for people to cross, I often get 'tooted' from the vehicles behind. I'd like to see crossings made from black and white block tiles. The painted ones just don't look good after a few months in the sun.

 

The avocadoes seem to like being in that pot. Get watered every day. And not in the sun for hours.

 

 

Sent away for a holder for Mildred's artwork.

 

 

Mildred is now using oil paints. The ones i sent away for do a nice job.

 

 

Can't say i understand the themes. Or why her girls have those funny pointed feet.

 

She seems to be sticking with it. Keeps her off the 'tippy tappy'.

 

FA Cup week end. The Irons came withing a minute or two of being eliminated by Kidderminister. Close shave. Harsh on the Harriers though. The Owls go from strength to strength, with another good win. Fulham firmly in place for a quick return to the EPL.

 

Mildred back at school; full time. Asked if any students got a positive covid test result. Evidently all 1500 of them were clear.

 

Day 106 since that rain on 22nd of October.

 

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

 

Edited February 6, 2022 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

 

As an addition to the Last Owl Log, these are the beautiful trees that have been cut down.

 

 

 

Looks terrible. What's up with these people?

 

Edited February 6, 2022 by owl sees all

[HighPriority]

I believe the bureaucratic term is “progress”

Often I wonder…

[owl sees all]

26 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

I believe the bureaucratic term is “progress”

Often I wonder…

I agree HP.

 

Cutting down trees because guys get fuelled up on Lao khow and drive motor bikes carelessly is not my idea of progress.

[TropicalGuy]

On 2/5/2022 at 5:10 AM, sotonowl said:

They've been doing great.

My neighbour used to take me to craven cottage when I was a young lad late sixties

[TropicalGuy]

OWL Photos I filter for on Instagram are fantastic. OWL Art Deco bric a Braque Lamp at home . Complete Owl Shape with yellow light from the inside ! 

[owl sees all]

48 minutes ago, TropicalGuy said:

My neighbour used to take me to craven cottage when I was a young lad late sixties

Been there many times. Is the cottage still in the corner?

 

Johnny Haynes! One of the true greats of English footy.

[Golden Triangle]

7 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Been there many times. Is the cottage still in the corner?

 

Johnny Haynes! One of the true greats of English footy.

Like you I've not been to Craven Cottage since the mid 60's but I think the Cottage is still there, a bit difficult to visit when you live miles away, serve in Germany or Northern Ireland, and now of course a few thousand miles away, mind you, we got stuffed by Man City yesterday not a good omen for our possible promotion next season ????

[owl sees all]

50 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

Like you I've not been to Craven Cottage since the mid 60's but I think the Cottage is still there, a bit difficult to visit when you live miles away, serve in Germany or Northern Ireland, and now of course a few thousand miles away, mind you, we got stuffed by Man City yesterday not a good omen for our possible promotion next season ????

Who lives in the cottage? I'm sure it must belong to the club. If it's still there now it will be there forever I reckon.

 

Fulham are not interested in the FA Cup. Just an inconvenience getting in the way of their promotion drive.