Diary of a farang in Isaan

[gamb00ler]

A chart to help... unfortunately in Fahrenheit rather than Celsius.

 

[Sterling]

If you have to add water, those are swamp coolers and don't do well in high humidity areas as I found out in the Philippines.

We bought a portable A/C unit with the 4" exhaust tube for the hot air and those work very well, as they are basically window A/C units in a different body.

 

I had not heard about ceramic bladed clippers; thanks for mentioning those, I'll check them out.

[DJ54]

On 6/19/2022 at 6:50 PM, Mutt Daeng said:

Me & Mrs MD tried one of these portable A/C's. It didn't live up to expectations.

Ended up giving it away.

Had the same experience…. Worked fine in the store not so much in the real weather

[Mutt Daeng]

1 hour ago, Sterling said:

If you have to add water, those are swamp coolers and don't do well in high humidity areas as I found out in the Philippines.

We bought a portable A/C unit with the 4" exhaust tube for the hot air and those work very well, as they are basically window A/C units in a different body.

 

I had not heard about ceramic bladed clippers; thanks for mentioning those, I'll check them out.

These are the clippers. The power switch is two speed. Charges via USB port on my PC. It has 5 different hair length settings (0.8-2mm) and 4 clip on combs. 

 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log (Part 1) -26-06-2022 - Sunday mid-dayish

 

What a week! Don't want too many like that one.

 

Mildred has not been well for a couple of days. Since Friday evening she has been asleep more that she has been awake. Unless she bucks up today, I don't see her going to school on Monday. I'll have to go round to the pick up point just before 7 tomorrow morning to let them know if she does not make it.

 

Every school day I walk with her to the bus stop.

 

 

There she is. In white.

 

 

In a way the village retains its links to the days of old. Although many traditional aspects are long gone; film shows, menstruation huts and getting water from the well about a kilometre from the village (which Mrs Owl did as a youngster. There is one that has stayed the same, although nowhere near as much now-a-days. Bringing the cattle home to rest under the house each evening. there are still a few houses that are built on stilts in the village. One less than 100 metres from us.

 

 

We had the mozzie lads come round in the week. I stay well away when they are doing their work. Never found out what the smoke consists of. A friend says it's a DDT concoction, but I wouldn't like to speculate.

 

 

Had to bring the budgies inside for half an hour. Mrs Owl wanted to spray inside the house. I said 'no'. First time fore a couple of months she has listened; and I got my way

 

But next door - in the shop - they had a blast or two of smoky poison.

 

 

And just as they were finishing and moving on the the Ma-in-Laws, a fish pick-up pulled up.

 

 

The timid among us should look away now.

 

 

The guy opposite (Bella's hubby) is still in hospital after a covid jab reaction (more on this in another post). Word is that he is OK, and will be back in the village shortly. He will be well pleased to know that his fighting chickens are being cared for. A chicken gala must be imminent. Last year there was a little one in his garden. But the big events are kept secret.

 

 

The project, just across the way, has virtually collapsed.

 

 

Still don't know what is was all about.

 

 

This is where a bit of Thai would be useful; "what ya up to guv". But I can't ask the Mrs and can only guess.

 

 

The rice planting season is here.

 

 

That's our number 2 farm oil palms in the backdrop. Usually get a view from the road.

 

 

Unlike last year the rain has been just enough to stop the paddy fields from drying out. should be a decent crop all round this season.

 

 

 

 

A bit of a calamity in the village. A silly-billy truck drove itself into some low leccy cables.

 

 

The lads were soon sorting it out.

 

 

All's well that ends well; they say.

 

 

 

Lovely sunflower in the Ma-in-Law's back garden

 

 

Mildred says it's her favourite flower. I like them too. When I was in France there were whole fields of them. So beautiful.

 

Mildred's pineapple is nearly ready to be eaten.

 

 

Had to move it to the other side of the farm house. Pics in the week.

 

The lillies are just fantastic in number 7 pond. Rain is just about enough, but other places in Asia seem to be having more than their fair share. We want some of yours!!

 

 

Modern off-grid living.

 

 

Of course in days gone by there was no leccy to run a fan, or to power up the tippy-tappy.

 

The lady at this farm is a bit confused I reckon. Don't look like no rice to me!

 

 

I'm quite taken with a young Romanian swimmer; David Popovici. At just 17, he is the best in the world at 100 and 200 freestyle. He set a time of 47-06 secs, for the 100 last year. We will hear a lot more from this talented young man.

 

No footy roundup. Except to say that Man City have snapped up Peacock's Phillips with a bit of loose change. And I must mention Rooney. Suddenly left Derby yesterday. I can't get me head around this footy lark. Derby are looking for a buyer. so why don't 20 thousand supporters put their hands in their pockets for a grand each and take control of the club. TBH, this club, or that, being bought and sold like a turkey leaves me cold and somewhat bewildered. Supporters should take back control; if they ever had some in the past that is. Look at Man United. That club could/should have been owned by the fans. I remember when it was up for sale.

 

Went to the farm on Friday afternoon. Very sad!! See Owl Log part 2. But only look if you are made of tough stuff.

 

Noi borrowed our cart. hope we get it back. Avocado plantation doing OK.

 

 

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

 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log (Part 2) - 26-06-2022 - Sunday afternoon

 

Wanted to separate the posts today. The following is distressing; even more so if you were a fish keeper in an earlier life.

 

Went to the farm as usual on Friday evening. Fed the fish in ponds 1. 2. 3 and 4. Then it hit me.

 

 

Virtually all the fish had died.

 

 

Immediate thoughts were that they had somehow been poisoned.

 

 

Just as well Mildred was not with me. It would have really upset her. Especially as she regarded this pond as her pond.

 

 

Dead fish all around the pond, and in the lillies.

 

 

Did a vid to record the unhappy day.

 

 

The following morning a 6-30, I started the sad task of removing the fish. Some were spawn-bound.

 

 

Mildred favourites - the big grass carp - were also dead.

 

 

'Ee' and 'Soo' came over from the next farm to help me.

 

 

 

Then it was 'bag up' time'

 

 

Took the sacks around to the lower part of number 4 farm.

 

 

 

Started digging.

 

 

Quite a lot of fish were burried.

 

 

 

Went back yesterday evening (Saturday) and found two more. Don't think they were new deaths. Just stuck in the grass in the corner and were missed in the morning.

 

I'd like to get the water from that pond tested. There are only really three ways fish can die like that. A disease got among them, an outside source of poison, or low oxygen levels. I rule out the last as it's a healthy pond. My money is still on poison. Will not be able o put any fish in there for quite some time. Perhaps next year! I'll look into getting something to sterilize the pond.

 

Have to get my two helpers a big pack of coffee and baccy.

 

All told; about 100 koi carp, 20 or so small nin and 4 beautiful grass carp.

 

In contrast pond 4, with the mekongs, is absolutely thriving.

 

Sad week end for me and Mildred.

 

Bye y'all.

[chickenslegs]

Best wishes to Millie. Could it be connected to the fogging? I was sick and listless for a couple of days after getting a lungfull of the stuff a while ago but it didn't affect the missus.

 

53 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Had to bring the budgies inside for half an hour.

You got them back, or did this happen before the "great escape".?

 

 

[owl sees all]

22 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

Best wishes to Millie. Could it be connected to the fogging? I was sick and listless for a couple of days after getting a lungfull of the stuff a while ago but it didn't affect the missus.

 

You got them back, or did this happen before the "great escape".?

 

 

Mildred did say she was not feeling 100% when I met her at the bus stop on Friday. I think a lot to do with is is tiredness. If she goes to school next week, I'll get her tucked up earlier.

 

Had 4 budgies to start with. 'Yellow' and 'Dark blue' escaped. Never found them. Not likely to either. But ya never know. Might come back to see their mates or for food.

[bannork]

A new month and the rain is back. About time too!

[Golden Triangle]

2 minutes ago, bannork said:

A new month and the rain is back. About time too!

Can you send some to Pattaya please, too hot & dry down here, 

[owl sees all]

17 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

Can you send some to Pattaya please, too hot & dry down here, 

Didn't think Pattaya and rain were compatible GT.

 

i was there in 2007 and the place was under water due to a shower. I remember swimming from Beach road down Soi Diana and round the corner into Soi Chaiapoon to my hotel. Stayed at Canterbury Tales. Is it still there?  Might have got those two Soi names mixed up though. A long time ago.

 

Had some rain last night. Went to bed early as I was feeling under the weather since Thursday when I was attacked by a load of hornets at the farm. Got six bites. Two on my arm, one on my hip and three on my back. Still sore now. But now have morphed into an itchy soreness. Didn't have a shirt on. That'll teach me. Have to sort them out today. a couple of other little jobs to do also.

 

 

 

[bannork]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Didn't think Pattaya and rain were compatible GT.

 

i was there in 2007 and the place was under water due to a shower. I remember swimming from Beach road down Soi Diana and round the corner into Soi Chaiapoon to my hotel. Stayed at Canterbury Tales. Is it still there?  Might have got those two Soi names mixed up though. A long time ago.

 

Had some rain last night. Went to bed early as I was feeling under the weather since Thursday when I was attacked by a load of hornets at the farm. Got six bites. Two on my arm, one on my hip and three on my back. Still sore now. But now have morphed into an itchy soreness. Didn't have a shirt on. That'll teach me. Have to sort them out today. a couple of other little jobs to do also.

 

 

 

My hand after being bitten by a hornet two days ago. You have my commiserations Owl, six must be very unpleasant.

[rhodie]

3 hours ago, owl sees all said:

I remember swimming from Beach road down Soi Diana and round the corner into Soi Chaiapoon to my hotel. Stayed at Canterbury Tales. Is it still there?  Might have got those two Soi names mixed up though. A long time ago.

Good memory. Spot on and Canterbury Tales still going. They have done a lot of work on the drainage systems, and it's ongoing, but still a losing battle.

[owl sees all]

2 hours ago, rhodie said:

Good memory. Spot on and Canterbury Tales still going. They have done a lot of work on the drainage systems, and it's ongoing, but still a losing battle.

Thanks for that Rhodie.

 

Dave was the boss way back then. Give him my best wishes if you ever pass that way. That was my first ever stay in Thailand. He looked after my interests OK. Put me in the picture on a lot of stuff. Would play Chubby Brown vids in the restaurant.

[EVENKEEL]

6 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Didn't think Pattaya and rain were compatible GT.

 

i was there in 2007 and the place was under water due to a shower. I remember swimming from Beach road down Soi Diana and round the corner into Soi Chaiapoon to my hotel. Stayed at Canterbury Tales. Is it still there?  Might have got those two Soi names mixed up though. A long time ago.

 

Had some rain last night. Went to bed early as I was feeling under the weather since Thursday when I was attacked by a load of hornets at the farm. Got six bites. Two on my arm, one on my hip and three on my back. Still sore now. But now have morphed into an itchy soreness. Didn't have a shirt on. That'll teach me. Have to sort them out today. a couple of other little jobs to do also.

 

 

 

I like to burn those nests out. Put on some protective clothes and torch them.

[owl sees all]

51 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

I like to burn those nests out. Put on some protective clothes and torch them.

You are not wrong there Evenkeel.

 

Was badly bitten by 20 or so hornets about 7/8 years ago. Not nice at all. But I'm not subject to great discomfort, unlike others. I think there are three stages. The first lasts for an hour or so, and it is just painful. The second one is different for everyone, and lasts for a couple of days. With me it is just ultra tiredness and loss of appetite. Then there is a day or so of itchyness. At this time you have a job not to keep scratching the hell out of the stung area. Takes about 5/6 days to disappear altogether.

 

I like to light a fire and let the smoke do the biz. Today I'm gonna hit them with a spray and destroy their house.

 

Took this pic just a few minutes ago. The other marks are just scratches.

 

 

The one on my hip was through my shorts. They don't care where, or how, they get ya. People have been hospitalized over the stings.

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

I tried the spray method one time, with a plan to knock it off with a stick afterwards. It was under the eaves of a 2 storey building but was able to reach it with a wonky step ladder on the upstairs balcony.

As soon as I started to spray one shot out and stung me on the neck !!

Unfortunately I was on my way out of the country for work so had a really miserable 12 hour travel.

My then wife had persuaded me to take care of it 2 hours before leaving for the airport.

Was just another addition to the list of reasons why we should divorce !!

[owl sees all]

4 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I tried the spray method one time, with a plan to knock it off with a stick afterwards. It was under the eaves of a 2 storey building but was able to reach it with a wonky step ladder on the upstairs balcony.

As soon as I started to spray one shot out and stung me on the neck !!

Unfortunately I was on my way out of the country for work so had a really miserable 12 hour travel.

My then wife had persuaded me to take care of it 2 hours before leaving for the airport.

Was just another addition to the list of reasons why we should divorce !!

Just came in from the farm.

 

Had a couple of jobs to do this afternoon, including getting the hornets out of the kitchen. I managed to clear them, but not before I got 4 stings. Three on my side - through my shirt - and the other on the tip of my finger. That was over an hour ago, and there's not the reaction as last time on Thursday. Wearing a shirt probably saved me from a few more stings. But I was victorious, and they are gone. For now!

 

Fixed the hole in the roof also; more on that in the Owl Log tomorrow. 

 

The rain has done the biz as far as the rice fields are concerned. And our pond number one has filled nicely. It's not done that by early July for years.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log 03-07-2022 - Sunday afternoon

 

Been having a lot of trouble with the leccy. Couldn't work out the exact problem for a long time. The village electrician tested the box and said everything was OK, and perhaps there was a faulty wire somewhere.. I did a couple of simple tests and I was convinced otherwise. Would have cost well over 1000 baht to replace the box. Anyway, in the week the box tripped and I couldn't get it up and running. Turned everything off and it was still tripping on 30 amps.

 

Took it off and replaced it with a 40 amp switch.

 

 

Might put a proper box back on at a later stage. But no problems so far after a few days.

 

Holley! You are history.

 

 

Got another hole in the roof over the rice store.

 

 

Didn't bother trying to fix it. Got a new sheet and fixed it on top.

 

 

Got Soo to do the biz. I would have done it myself; but who would have took th epics for the Owl Log?

 

 

Put the new sheet in place.

 

 

 

Job done.

 

Moved Mildred's pineapple to the other side of the farm house.

 

10 months ago. Just the top of a pineapple.

 

 

Took quite a while to get going.

 

 

Not ready for eating yet. Another month or so.

 

Rain on Friday night. Did the ponds and the paddy a real favour.

 

 

Number one pond 100% filled and ponds two and three about 90%. Thanks to a bit of siphoning.

 

 

Best year for water since 2015 I reckon.

 

The village buddha-over-the-pond is romping on.

 

A couple of pics have been displayed around the buddha showing what it's gonna look like.

 

 

And it's getting there.

 

 

Not exactly like the pic on the wall. Gonna be grand though.

 

 

Old habits die hard.

 

Mrs Owl's mum is getting on and can't walk unaided. But every year she makes mats.

 

 

After a bit of drying they are good to go.

 

 

Went down the buddha soi at just the right time to see the buffaloes coming home.

 

 

The land clearance, just outside the village, is finished, although the old trees and roots are still there.

 

 

It's next to one of the four roads that lead into the village.

 

 

I'd plant Oil Palms if it was me. Price of fuel is gonna be high for years. And can only go higher. Easy income.

 

Opposite are the two big ponds and a watercourse.

 

 

I've sussed it out. Water fills the winding-way one. That fills; and the overflow goes into the very deep pond. When that's filled, the overflow then fills the deep pond lower down the slope.

 

Nadia and Nadill out spending their pocket money.

 

 

The farm house, just along from us, is now completely finished.

 

 

Roof goes on.

 

 

And a bit more roof.

 

 

Not yet invited to a house-warming party.

 

The house over the back has a new machine for cleaning the rice. I took a sack round there to give them a bit of work. The don't take money, but a few cups of finished rice and they get to keep the 'rum'. Tiny bits if the rice grain.

 

 

No footy roundup. Can't wait for it all to start again in a month's time.

 

Mrs Owl wants me to pick Mildred up from school each day. At the moment she get home between 16-50 and 17-00. If I picked her up we'd get home well before 16-00. Mildred wants things to stay as they are. I'm happy with it as it is too.

 

Got more stings clearing the wasps/hornets from the farm kitchen. But they are gone for now.

 

The mekongs are doing great. As soon as I go over to their pond they charge over. Mrs Owl says they are like a load of sharks.

 

No more rain forecast until Tuesday. I'll have all that's going.

 

The next nut cut will be  very decent. In about 10 days time. The price is still just below 10 baht.

 

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

[bannork]

Okay, we haven't got the sea in Isaan but an afternoon soak can still be fun.

 

[chickenslegs]

Bill and Ben?

[Andrew Dwyer]

7 minutes ago, bannork said:

Okay, we haven't got the sea in Isaan but an afternoon soak can still be fun.

 

That photo took me back to 1972 !!

 

 

We have the deluxe two seater version here, Mingkwan and Auto cooling off.

 

[Mutt Daeng]

9 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Bill and Ben?

Flobabdob!

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 10-07-2022 - Sunday morning

 

Spent an uninteresting couple of hours at Mildred's school last Monday. Hundreds of people there.

 

 

Think it was some sort of fundraiser to get the construction finished.

 

 

Little has happened this year. Hope my generous donation will help.

 

 

Took advantage of the absolute boringness of it all to go for a drive for half an hour.

 

Glad I did. found an 'environmental officer' out on the road. Another generous donation. Given with a genuine smile this time.

 

 

Lovely lady. Great job dear.

 

This was just along from 'Fang' school. And where do you go to school? I go to Ban Fang.

 

 

About 10 km from Ban Dung (to the east) there is a lovely round-a-bout. Well looked after. Cute.

 

 

The village Buddha-over-the-pond is still on the go. Progress best described as steady.

 

 

Bricks at the ready.

 

 

Have a couple of really old oil palms in the Buddha compound. With nut at 10 baht a kilo, might be worth someone getting hold of a ladder and doing a bit of cutting.

 

 

At the farm there is one outstanding tree.

 

 

If the other 700 or so were all as benevolent as this one I could soon retire.

 

A drop of rain in Ban Dung plays havoc with the parking for the daily market.

 

 

Compared to other countries, Thailand - especially up here - seems to be escaping any prolonged downpours. Not raining at the mo'. Next drizzle due on Tuesday.

 

Number five pond could be smothered in lilies before the end of the year.

 

 

After the pond six catastrophe I've decide not to bother with buying any more fish this year. Gonna put 100 litres of EM into pond six to kill any bad bacteria and get it rejuvenated. Pond five will probably get a few litres also.

 

The mekongs in pond four are doing great.

 

 

Really must find out about growing pineapples. Surely it can't be this easy?!

 

 

Big effort to get the village looking ticky-boo this morning. Is there a big cheese on the way?

 

 

Caught Mrs Owl red-handed. Having a crafty one.

 

 

Found out where the old concrete pipes are stored. Any farmer wanting one; free.

 

 

Cows out and about again. Not come to out house yet. No mangoes for them anyway.

 

 

A bit of concreting at the Buddha side entrance.

 

 

A couple of decent showers in the week. I've got my hopes up that all the ponds will be filled this wet season. Not yet put in the two pipes between pond 2 and 3, and 3 and 4. Maybe next week will see some action.

 

Mildred off school for half-term starting on Wednesday. We'll get the chess set out for a few games.

 

Budgies doing OK. Not got round to sorting out a new home for them.

 

Charger and batteries have arrived. Plugged in the charger. Seems to be working well, but the lights stay on even when the batteries are fully charged. Well, I think they are fully charged.

 

Have a Samsung camera, that got damaged a couple of years back. It takes great pics. Much better than the phone or even the my Minolta. Been trying to find out where it can be repaired. BlueSofa - remember him - once told me there is a Samsung repair shop in Udon. Anyone?!

 

Footy round up.

Rahime Sterling is about to join Chelsea from Man City. He originates from the Wembley area, which is not too far from the Bridge. Might be able to get back to visit his old muckers occasionally. He went to Copeland school; just along from where I had a shop on the High Street.

 

Had a visit from two teachers in the week. They liked the posters on the wall. The world map; math tables, how the human body works, etc. Mildred's art production has slowed. She starts a painting and then seems to leave it for a week. Hope she will finish one or two when half-term

arrives.

 

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

 

[bannork]

Ha ha Owl, we had the teachers round as well, have to visit all the M1 students' homes to check out home support. A good idea imo, does the UK do the same?

A fair bit of rain tonight.

The long term forecast said June and July would be hit and miss, August would see serious downpours.

As always, time will tell.

[bannork]

Well, July is turning out to be more of a hit than a miss 

Did you get the deluge we had this morning, starting at 6.00 am, Owl. Driving my granddaughter to school, the left lane was frequently seriously underwater.

[owl sees all]

On 7/12/2022 at 7:26 PM, bannork said:

Well, July is turning out to be more of a hit than a miss 

Did you get the deluge we had this morning, starting at 6.00 am, Owl. Driving my granddaughter to school, the left lane was frequently seriously underwater.

Big thunder storm yesterday, and got worse at about the time Mildred was due to catch the school bus.

 

Gave it a miss. Extra day off.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log 17-07-2022 - Sunday morning

 

Can't complain about the rain. This week has been good. Next rain forecast is for Tuesday morning. Fingers crossed.

 

The mekongs are a joy. They race over as soon as either me or Mildred arrive on the scene with the bag of grub.

 

 

Mrs Owl has been at the farm picking the fruit.

 

 

First job is to clean out the pick-up. I will say, she is far better at that than me. Not that I've ever tried. It gradually gets filled with junk that I pick up from the farm. The rubbish just gets chucked in the back, until Mrs Owl wants it clean.

 

 

 

The Mrs also had to get into the rice store for 5 sacks. Someone in the village was off to Bangkok and wanted to take some rice with them for the family there. Much cheaper to do it this way than buy the rice in the capital. Might get the 5 sacks replaced after the harvest.

 

 

All sorted. Time to get down. "You want me to help you teerak?"

 

 

Mildred's been off school most of the week, and it gave her time to finish a couple of her paintings.

 

 

This most recent was inspired by her Grand Ma's house; next door but one to us.

 

www.mildredart.com

 

 

Such imagination. When I was twelve, my thoughts were on fishing and how to catch the monster in my part of Essex. And bunking off school to collect bottles, for throwing in the Thames behind Barking Power Station. Then we would smash them with stones, as they bobbed about 30 metres out.

 

Manchester United 4 - Liverpool 0.

 

Looks like the Devils are on the move. Mrs Owl was well pleased as she supports them; big time. "Who is your favourite player at the moment teerak?" "Wayne Rooney." Can't argue with that.

 

 

The avocado plantation outside the house was getting out of control.

 

 

A bit of trimming was needed.

 

That's better.

 

 

Happy comes over to see us every day. We don't always have any food for him. Always likes a stroke; food or not.

 

 

Not been feeling too good since last week end, when I took in a couple of lung fulls of insect killer while I was getting ride of the hornets in the farm kitchen. Didn't wear a mask or hold my breath for long enough. Only got one new sting though. Alongside my right eye. Still sore after a week. Feeling a bit poorly, I took the opportunity to go on a fast.

 

Sunday afternoon - Last full meal

Monday morning - a couple of biscuits

Tuesday - nothing

Wednesday - nothing

Thursday - two boiled eggs and two slices of toast

Friday - nothing

Saturday - two boiled eggs

Sunday (today) - two boiled eggs and two slices of toast.

 

Been drinking lots of water during this time. About three litres a day at least. Also resting up a lot. Feeling much better now. Back to normal today.

 

Another death in the village. Patong's father; just 65, and quite sudden. He was a bit a grafter at his farm. I'm told. Everyone baffled!

 

Had a nice surprise this morning. I was changing the budgie's dishes and 'White bird' sat on my finger when I was putting the food pot in place. Still no progress on their aviary. Perhaps later in the week.

 

Footy round-up.

Rooney has gone to the US. Pogba to Italy. Leeds losing their players. Fulham getting new recruits on the cheap.

 

Mildred has just told me that this week she only has to go to school on two days; Tuesday and Thursday. Don't know why at the present. Teacher shortage? Exams? Covid?

 

No problem with the leccy. Best to leave everything as it is.

 

The English Queen's son, Charles, got a load of cash given him a while back in suitcases. Word has it that he engaged a local company, to his gaff in Scotland, to count it. And their bill? Seven thousand squids. I would have counted it for free. As long as they fed me haggis and passed me best single malt. And let me fish in their trout stream.

 

Boris is gone! Well almost! Who will replace him? I'd like to see Tom Tugendhat. But I think Penny Mordaunt will get the gig.

 

Ordered two fishing reels and a artists-carry-bag from Lazada. should get them early this week.

 

Bit light on copy this week.

 

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

[rickudon]

Just catching up on developments here after a couple of busy weeks. Was sorry to hear about the Koi. My thoughts on that -

 

1. Disease - unlikely. Disease outbreaks tend to kill  the fish over a period, not one day. Also usually only one species affected. Plaa Nin died too, so disease unlikely.

 

2. Pollution. Unless some physical evidence, hard to tell. Anyone spraying rice paddies locally? would they wash out a tank in your pond?. 

Is there a water inflow to the pond (i.e. drainage from a rice paddy)?

 

3. Oxygen. This seems most likely. Kills many species at the same time. Do you have any air breathing fish in the pond? (snakeheads, climbing perch, snakeskin gourami) if you do and none died, again suggests Oxygen. Did you have a thunderstorm the day before? The cold rain or low air pressure can cause a phytoplanktom bloom to crash and suck all the oxygen up. Have had this happen in garden ponds quite a few times. Was speaking to Dean at Papa Farang's in Udon, and he had a fish kill last week after heavy rain - he says happens nearly every year, lost 40 koi, all the biggest ones. Smaller fish were ok.

 

4. Other. Lightning strike. Once had about 40 dead  java barbs after a thunder storm, just in one part of a pond. Speculation that they were electrocuted. 

Another unusual event that happened to me in Australia, when i was doing environmental survey work. All the barramundi in the billabong near the camp died. We were told to find out why. Eventually found out that heavy rain at the start of the wet season had soaked into the soil (which was black swamp soil) and oxygen in the rain had oxidised sulphur in the soil to sulphuric acid - water from little springs at the edge had a PH of 1.5 !

 

Other events. Here in Udon loads of rain this month, our ponds are already overflowing. My vegetable garden requires rubber boots to walk around it, been under water most of the time. Only have Okra left, everything else drowned in June! Okra does really well here, likes it hot and once established hard to kill and disease free. Have to pick every 2 days hence the need for rubber boots .....

 

 

[HighPriority]

Okra !!

Stuff still gives me nightmares of picking it when I was traveling around Oz in the early ‘90’s