11 hours ago, owl sees all said:

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.

 

Rosa Ponselle. Never heard of her before tbh but a lovely voice non the less. Some of the old stuff is brilliant isn't it. I may have posted this previously but I love Owen Brannigans version of the Blaydon Races. 

Good 3 points for Wednesday as you say Owl, couple of tough games coning up though and we just have to many good players out at the moment so i'm fearful. 

As for Craven Cottage, is that where the term "Cottaging" originates from? Wouldn't surprise me.????

 

What about these guys, anyone heard of any of them?

Hammers player hits the headlines and kicks the cat.????

 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/17576996/kurt-zouma-cat-kick-slap-video/?utm_source=native_share&utm_medium=sharebar_native&utm_campaign=sharebaramp

Pmy very own Owl

7 hours ago, TropicalGuy said:

Pmy very own Owl

That is magnificent.

On 2/8/2022 at 6:18 AM, sotonowl said:

Hammers player hits the headlines and kicks the cat.????

 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/17576996/kurt-zouma-cat-kick-slap-video/?utm_source=native_share&utm_medium=sharebar_native&utm_campaign=sharebaramp

Absolute disgrace.

 

If I had a season ticket, I would give it away.

 

I'm ashamed to see this. Gonna support Leyton Orient until this guy is got rid of.

12 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Absolute disgrace.

 

If I had a season ticket, I would give it away.

 

I'm ashamed to see this. Gonna support Leyton Orient until this guy is got rid of.

We had one invade the pitch last night. Watch the Wigan player wave goodbye to the cat.????????????

Apparently the cats been missing for 2 & half months. Owner was taking it to the vets or cattery when it escaped and ran off. It was chipped and now been claimed by the owner although It's touch and go whether it survives due to bite marks around it's neck which they think a dog has done.

The cat saga is intensifying. There was a phone-in on an English radio show a couple of days ago, where the general view was that castration might be the appropriate cure for such wanton disrespect for cats. That's not for the cat I must add. That's a tad drastic I reckon, but I think a good 'booing' for the rest of the season will be in order. Let's see what he is made off.

 

Now this guy Kurt Zouma - who arrived from Chelsea by the way - is probably going to run his nuts off for the Irons, just to get the fans back onside. So I'm gonna put him in my fantasy footy team and see how it goes until the dust settles.

He kicked a cat. Makes him a bad lad but hardly the crime of the century is it. All perspective is lost on social media by the terminally offended.

Owl Log - 13-02-2022- Sunday mid-dayish

 

It rained on Friday evening, and although not heavy, was very welcome. So that's well over 100 dry days. Don't want that again this year. The plants, trees and ponds were all overjoyed. Pond seven especially needed the water.

 

 

Went to the farm, after picking up Mildred from school on Friday. There were a number of big white birds wading in the pond, pecking at the fishes. We decided to pump in some water.

 

 

Going to pump six inches in today too (Sunday).

 

 

Before pumping we had to connect up some more 2 inch pipes and sort out any leaks.

 

 

 

There was a tree that had to be sorted out.

 

 

Mildred caught an absolutely stonking koi. Orange, with golden orange scales.

 

 

Mildred believes that this fish actually hatched in the pond. I'll go with that. Hope she is right on that. What a beautiful creature.

 

 

Released into pond six.

 

 

Pond 3 is looking good. It is smothered with a small plant.  And although water level is low, it should have enough to see it through to when the showers start in 6 weeks or so. Hopefully!!?

 

 

This is a very fertile pond. No fish of note in there.

 

 

Back at the village; we had visitors.

 

 

Very lucky to get them. Mrs Owl says.

 

 

Snapped one of the twins in the week. Nadene I think. With mum. Still in her jim-jams. Other twin Nadia, was nowhere around. Not very often see them apart.

 

 

The Buddha had a bit of concreting done.

 

 

Keeping my eye on the imminent work over the pond. Will it attract visitors from far and wide? We will see.

 

Two trees along the 2022, at the next cross-raods from us, have been mutilated. But at least they are still standing. They will never recover their former glory though.

 

 

There is also another scheme further along. This one seems to be because of a small dirt farm road.

 

 

Just a monumental waste of dosh and time, in my opinion. Certainly not gonna stop the motorbike riding when tanked up with Lao Khow. Better to sort out the road; which is disgraceful.

 

In Ban Dung, work is still continuing to widen the road parallel to the main drag.

 

 

Also seen in Ban Dung. I like the green ones. Mildred like the orange.

 

 

The posts were put in along the quiet road at the end of the super-highway that runs by our farm.

 

 

 

 

Then the painters came around.

 

 

 

All for a road that sees a pick-up once an hour., and truck once a day.

 

Eucas are being cut, and transported to the whole-seller.

 

 

 

Me and Mildred messing about at sunset.

 

 

 

Mildred had her national exams on Saturday. Four one hour tests. Maths, Science, English and Thai. She reckoned she done good, except for a  couple of the Math's questions. Showed me one that she got stuck on. Can't say I even understood what was being asked. Mildred is a bit upset 'cause her best friend is going to boarding school near Loei for the next school year. I had an idea, and told her. It was to do a two x one hour teach on a Saturday. One hour English and one Maths. All they - any of her friends - have to do is turn up on a Saturday Morning. We will see.

 

Another death in the village. Sharong was only 46. Liver problems I as told. Just 50 metres from our house. Party tonight. Send him to the moon.

 

The footy cat-abuser is playing at Leicester later today. Think he will have to put in ear plugs. Moved him into my fantasy football team. Reckon he will run his nuts off - if the cat lovers don't get to him first - for the Irons. Kurt has to get the WHU fans onside. What better way than play well. Interesting, his brother, who is just as despicable, plays for Dagenham and Redbridge. My local club for 40 years. Never supported them; for personal reasons.

 

Had two people ask us about our euca trees. Want to be the ones to cut them next year.

 

Liz Truss did a speech in Parliament in the week. Evidently any entity fraternisng with the enemy (Russia) will be subject to sanctions. That's the end of cheap Chinese take-a-ways then! What will they eat in Dagenham, seeing that the 'pie n mash' shop at the Merry Fiddlers has gone.

 

The last couple of days have definitely has got warmer. Not really been a cold winter up here. Just dry.

 

Only one thing left to say; thank you, and bye.

On 2/9/2022 at 6:49 AM, owl sees all said:

Absolute disgrace.

 

If I had a season ticket, I would give it away.

 

I'm ashamed to see this. Gonna support Leyton Orient until this guy is got rid of.

My mate is the head of security at leyton. I supplied him some security guys for the response teams. Lovely little ground that.   

On 2/11/2022 at 2:58 PM, sotonowl said:

He kicked a cat. Makes him a bad lad but hardly the crime of the century is it. All perspective is lost on social media by the terminally offended.

Also funny how it was leaked to the press the day when Chelsea had to pay out for old racism claims against old players. 

2 hours ago, DaveE13 said:

My mate is the head of security at leyton. I supplied him some security guys for the response teams. Lovely little ground that.   

You are right there Dave; a lovely ground.

 

When I started watching the 'O's one end was cinder. Don't know the year they concreted it over.

 

 

2 hours ago, DaveE13 said:

Also funny how it was leaked to the press the day when Chelsea had to pay out for old racism claims against old players. 

Poor old Kurt got jelly legs before the game at Leicester.

 

He is gonna get stick all season; especially at away games.

2 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Poor old Kurt got jelly legs before the game at Leicester.

 

He is gonna get stick all season; especially at away games.

Yes but the media love it don't they.  I think Diop didn't have a bad game today 

Have you enjoyed the rain, Owl? Much appreciated here but could do without the low temperatures.

A passing cow left its calling card in front of the house today. My 4 year old granddaughter remarked how much it resembled a cake. She soon produced a candle and joined her cousin in a rousing rendition of Happy Bird Day.

 

 

On 2/7/2022 at 2:23 AM, sotonowl said:

What about these guys, anyone heard of any of them?

No thankfully

2 hours ago, bannork said:

Have you enjoyed the rain, Owl? Much appreciated here but could do without the low temperatures.

A passing cow left its calling card in front of the house today. My 4 year old granddaughter remarked how much it resembled a cake. She soon produced a candle and joined her cousin in a rousing rendition of Happy Bird Day.

 

 

That was a'moo'sing.

 

Sparks childhood memories of my Dad rushing out to shovel up horse droppings in the street. Mum was growing roses, but she was too posh to be seen shoveling <deleted>.

 

At 65 yo I guess I'm one of the last generation to see horse-drawn deliveries (milk, coal, rag & bone, etc.) in the UK.

 

I suppose the current younger generation of up-country Thais will be the last to see buffalo carts and ploughs.

On 2/13/2022 at 12:07 PM, owl sees all said:

Owl Log - 13-02-2022- Sunday mid-dayish

 

It rained on Friday evening, and although not heavy, was very welcome. So that's well over 100 dry days. Don't want that again this year. The plants, trees and ponds were all overjoyed. Pond seven especially needed the water.

 

 

Went to the farm, after picking up Mildred from school on Friday. There were a number of big white birds wading in the pond, pecking at the fishes. We decided to pump in some water.

 

 

 

Going to pump six inches in today too (Sunday).

 

 

Before pumping we had to connect up some more 2 inch pipes and sort out any leaks.

 

 

 

There was a tree that had to be sorted out.

 

 

Mildred caught an absolutely stonking koi. Orange, with golden orange scales.

 

 

Mildred believes that this fish actually hatched in the pond. I'll go with that. Hope she is right on that. What a beautiful creature.

 

 

Released into pond six.

 

 

 

Pond 3 is looking good. It is smothered with a small plant.  And although water level is low, it should have enough to see it through to when the showers start in 6 weeks or so. Hopefully!!?

 

 

This is a very fertile pond. No fish of note in there.

 

 

Back at the village; we had visitors.

 

 

Very lucky to get them. Mrs Owl says.

 

 

Snapped one of the twins in the week. Nadene I think. With mum. Still in her jim-jams. Other twin Nadia, was nowhere around. Not very often see them apart.

 

 

The Buddha had a bit of concreting done.

 

 

Keeping my eye on the imminent work over the pond. Will it attract visitors from far and wide? We will see.

 

Two trees along the 2022, at the next cross-raods from us, have been mutilated. But at least they are still standing. They will never recover their former glory though.

 

 

There is also another scheme further along. This one seems to be because of a small dirt farm road.

 

 

Just a monumental waste of dosh and time, in my opinion. Certainly not gonna stop the motorbike riding when tanked up with Lao Khow. Better to sort out the road; which is disgraceful.

 

In Ban Dung, work is still continuing to widen the road parallel to the main drag.

 

 

Also seen in Ban Dung. I like the green ones. Mildred like the orange.

 

 

The posts were put in along the quiet road at the end of the super-highway that runs by our farm.

 

 

 

 

Then the painters came around.

 

 

 

All for a road that sees a pick-up once an hour., and truck once a day.

 

Eucas are being cut, and transported to the whole-seller.

 

 

 

 

Me and Mildred messing about at sunset.

 

 

 

Mildred had her national exams on Saturday. Four one hour tests. Maths, Science, English and Thai. She reckoned she done good, except for a  couple of the Math's questions. Showed me one that she got stuck on. Can't say I even understood what was being asked. Mildred is a bit upset 'cause her best friend is going to boarding school near Loei for the next school year. I had an idea, and told her. It was to do a two x one hour teach on a Saturday. One hour English and one Maths. All they - any of her friends - have to do is turn up on a Saturday Morning. We will see.

 

Another death in the village. Sharong was only 46. Liver problems I as told. Just 50 metres from our house. Party tonight. Send him to the moon.

 

The footy cat-abuser is playing at Leicester later today. Think he will have to put in ear plugs. Moved him into my fantasy football team. Reckon he will run his nuts off - if the cat lovers don't get to him first - for the Irons. Kurt has to get the WHU fans onside. What better way than play well. Interesting, his brother, who is just as despicable, plays for Dagenham and Redbridge. My local club for 40 years. Never supported them; for personal reasons.

 

Had two people ask us about our euca trees. Want to be the ones to cut them next year.

 

Liz Truss did a speech in Parliament in the week. Evidently any entity fraternisng with the enemy (Russia) will be subject to sanctions. That's the end of cheap Chinese take-a-ways then! What will they eat in Dagenham, seeing that the 'pie n mash' shop at the Merry Fiddlers has gone.

 

The last couple of days have definitely has got warmer. Not really been a cold winter up here. Just dry.

 

Only one thing left to say; thank you, and bye.

Nice round up as always Owl

2 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

That was a'moo'sing.

 

Sparks childhood memories of my Dad rushing out to shovel up horse droppings in the street. Mum was growing roses, but she was too posh to be seen shoveling <deleted>.

 

At 65 yo I guess I'm one of the last generation to see horse-drawn deliveries (milk, coal, rag & bone, etc.) in the UK.

 

I suppose the current younger generation of up-country Thais will be the last to see buffalo carts and ploughs.

Yep, I remember those days, although our milkman had a battery powered milk float, I'm 68 and have memories of all those things ???? 

32 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

That was a'moo'sing.

 

Sparks childhood memories of my Dad rushing out to shovel up horse droppings in the street. Mum was growing roses, but she was too posh to be seen shoveling <deleted>.

 

At 65 yo I guess I'm one of the last generation to see horse-drawn deliveries (milk, coal, rag & bone, etc.) in the UK.

 

I suppose the current younger generation of up-country Thais will be the last to see buffalo carts and ploughs.

My mates grand dad was rag and bone man . Actually the family were in scrap metal trade.

Remember his grand dad's birthday  it was about 25 years ago,  we all waiting at local pub in East London and there his nan and grand dad turned up in the horse and cart. 80 years old bless him.

38 minutes ago, DaveE13 said:

My mates grand dad was rag and bone man . Actually the family were in scrap metal trade.

Remember his grand dad's birthday  it was about 25 years ago,  we all waiting at local pub in East London and there his nan and grand dad turned up in the horse and cart. 80 years old bless him.

The horse or the grand dad  ? 

7 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 

 

At 65 yo I guess I'm one of the last generation to see horse-drawn deliveries (milk, coal, rag & bone, etc.) in the UK.

 

I suppose the current younger generation of up-country Thais will be the last to see buffalo carts and ploughs.

I saw, but didn’t get to read to see if it was true, an article on “Snopes” this morning discussing a quote attributed to Albert Einstein after the splitting of the atom.

It read “World War 4 will be fought with sticks and stones”

Sadly whether true or not I can see it becoming reality… ????

On 2/16/2022 at 7:40 PM, bannork said:

Have you enjoyed the rain, Owl? Much appreciated here but could do without the low temperatures.

 

On Monday, we pumped water into pond seven for three hours. Since then the sun has hardly been seen. Very dull. Plenty of cloud. A little rain. The temperature has dropped as you say Bannork.

 

If it is not raining tomorrow Mildred wants to pump water into number six. If we run the pump for three hours, it will raise the water level by about four/six inches. That could be enough pumping, as the rain will gradually become more frequent as we get into March and April. If not then it's the pump again. Thanks to the big rain on October 22nd, we have plenty of water in ponds one, two and three.

 

The cost of pumping is not too great. A litre of benzine/petrol gives two hours of pumping. Then there is Mrs Owl's garden to water. All in all quite cheap.

4 hours ago, owl sees all said:

On Monday, we pumped water into pond seven for three hours. Since then the sun has hardly been seen. Very dull. Plenty of cloud. A little rain. The temperature has dropped as you say Bannork.

 

If it is not raining tomorrow Mildred wants to pump water into number six. If we run the pump for three hours, it will raise the water level by about four/six inches. That could be enough pumping, as the rain will gradually become more frequent as we get into March and April. If not then it's the pump again. Thanks to the big rain on October 22nd, we have plenty of water in ponds one, two and three.

 

The cost of pumping is not too great. A litre of benzine/petrol gives two hours of pumping. Then there is Mrs Owl's garden to water. All in all quite cheap.

More rain forecast plus drop in temp to 13 degrees!

1 hour ago, bannork said:

More rain forecast plus drop in temp to 13 degrees!

Interesting. Thanks for the Bannork. Cheered me up.

 

Just checked on the world weather - south east Asia area - and they say there could/will/might be heavy rain in the early hours of Saturday morning. It does speak of another big cloud coming towards Ban Dung from Vietnam north. should be here later this month.

 

Reminds me of a 'special forces' pal of mine way back."The drinks are on me tonight Owl." Somehow I always finished up paying.

 

We will see. Sunny at the mo'.

On 2/11/2022 at 9:58 PM, sotonowl said:

He kicked a cat. Makes him a bad lad but hardly the crime of the century is it. All perspective is lost on social media by the terminally offended.

Makes him an utterly horrible kirnt. No less. 

Owl Log 20-02-2022 - Sunday afternoon

 

The temperature has dropped significantly. The thermometer read 14C at eight this morning. We have an oil heater and it's been put on for the first time in over a year. Considering that March often rivals April for hotness, this spell is due to finish very soon.

 

There have been some showers too. I expect the trees will love it.

 

We had a hole in the roof of the rice-store at the farm. I didn't feel good about getting up on the roof, so enlisted Guy. Bought some silver waterproof tape. Didn't want any water falling in on the bags of rice, Soon sorted,

 

 

 

The rain and the water pumping has saved the lilies in pond seven. It was on a sorry state last week.

 

 

Much better.

 

 

Spotted a truck in Ban Dung that was worth a pic.

 

 

Just how many mirrors does the driver need?

 

 

That new array of water-filled barriers on the 2022 began to make sense.

 

 

On Friday we had a new sign. Beware of the side street. Better to warn the people coming out of the side street that there is a main road ahead. I'll keep an eye out to see if anything else is erected. Are they going to leave the barriers?

 

 

Must have been an accident hot spot.

 

Poo got a really nasty wound on her upper leg. It was full of puss. I squeezed out as much as I could. As I type, she seems to be almost fully recovered. Jumping all over.

 

 

No idea how she got it. That footballer hasn't been around has he?

 

Back in Ban Dung. I found a walkway that was; unwalkable.

 

 

 

What's going on?

 

 

Ban Dung is such a nice town. Don't like to see this.

 

Found a couple of unusual pipes close by the village, on the main drag.

 

This one is in the wrong place; it seems to me. Should be much further down the slope.

 

 

Still can't suss this one out. where is all this water gonna come from? Two three foot wide pipes.

 

 

Mildred at it again. Another small common carp for pond six.

 

 

 

 

Although the Buddha pond has been emptied there is no sign of action. Expect a man to visit all the village houses soon with those white envelopes.

 

 

The road outside the Buddha is awful. By far the worst section of road we have. And it's quite heavily used, as it leads down to most of the village farms.

 

 

And looking towards the village from down the slope.

 

 

Snapped the twins one morning after escorting Mildred to her school bus. They were with their cousin 'Pun'. His grandma - the big mango lady - was supervising the three of them.

 

 

And what do we do when it's too cold to sit outside? Relax in the corner.

 

 

The 20 baht ear-pieces in place.

 

Spurs like playing against Man City. They have rolled them over a couple of times recently. Same score (2-3) in 2018. And I think they knocked them out of the Ch Lg too. Went right off Spurs in 1964. Went along for the first game of the season, and they had put a flood-light pylon right where I used to stand.

 

Anyone taking any notice of the Winter Olympics? Can't find out if any Thais are competing. Asked Mrs Owl. "Any Thai sports people in China teerak. Doing the curling or half-pipeing?" Think she understood. "What you say? You look Chinese lady on internet? You bad farang. Money! Give me." Plenty of tears and drama at the games; evidently. Must take more interest.

 

Had a lot of little jobs to do last week. The toilet chain broke. Hole in the roof (rice-store). Put a battery in one of the clocks. Fixed the glass door on the shelf above the TV. Sewed up my favourite shorts; that had suddenly got a ripped pocket (must have been the wife looking for money). Pumped water from one pond into another. Ordered beauty stuff from Lazada. Played some chess on-line. Took pics for the diary. It's a busy life here in upper Isaan.

 

Went to visit Ting - the hat lady - on Thursday afternoon. She was looking scrummie. Bought some packs of reishi strips and a new hat. Tried on the orange one, but it was a tad small. From behind the counter Ting brought out a lovely peach coloured one. Fitted perfectly. "I save for you. Hansum man." Said she, as it was placed on my head and adjusted to make me look good.

 

It's two thirty and it's just like it was after sunset. So dark! Mildred has just finished her latest painting. Can view them on:

 

http://www.numbervillage.com/art/artmain

 

Not had the nod from Sotheby yet. Might send them a sample of reishi wine to get them interested.

 

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

On 2/16/2022 at 4:08 PM, Golden Triangle said:

The horse or the grand dad  ? 

Both I think ????

The wind and rain felled a cotton tree near the shed on the farm. Did some minor damage. My error for planting such tree close to a building, they easily fall in storms. We soon got a neighbour and his tractor to drag it off the roof.

A fire is such comfort in wet and cold times like this 

Fully agree about Ban Dung, Owl. It's a great town, small enough to still have friendly people but big enough to have most amenities one needs