Diary of a farang in Isaan

[owl sees all]

13 hours ago, rickudon said:

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 .....

 

 

Thanks for that Rick.

 

Been considering all the possibilities.

 

I've been around fish and fishing ponds for many years and I've usually found clues when fish deaths occur like this.

 

I rule out disease, as it was all too sudden, and in any case these fish were healthy and put into a healthy pond. If it had been oxygen levels, I would have seen signs of this before hand. fish deprived of oxygen have their mouths open when kicking the bucket more often than not. Also they would have been noticed gasping for air at the surface.

 

A lightening strike hitting the pond! Possible; but no storm in the 24 hours leading up to the find.

 

Although a lot of fish die. There was not an excessive amount for a pond of that size. In the UK we would use the maxim; one kg of fish to one cubic metre of water.. The fish were not crowed at all. Ant there is healthy plant life.

 

So that leaves a toxin or poison as the culprit. The pond is flanked by a pond on either side. A dirt road at one end, and quite a way back, the euca plantation at the far end. I don't think that there could have been an accidental poisoning. Ponds one and two get the run off from the plantation. They are both fine. And this pond was the only on affected.

 

My dosh is on a deliberate action, by someone unknown (at the moment). What toxin or poison? Well no sign of oil or film of any sort so I'm guessing it would have been water soluble.  I've taken some water samples and I'll try to get an analysis at the Provincial Fishery Udon Thani. Might also try the Agricultural University - also in Udon - for an answer.

 

This all begs the question! Who would do such a  thing? I've got my suspicions. Mrs Owl thinks the same person also. We will see.

Edited July 18, 2022 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

Owl Log 27-07-2022 - Wednesday afternoon

 

Three deliveries since the last Owl Log. Two fishing reels and an art folder for Mildred.

 

Decided not to leave the rods with reels at the farm, Gonna keep them at home. Don't want to tempt fate any more than necessary.

 

Took three rods back from the farm.

 

.

 

A smaller reel for the farm fishing and a more robust one if we go to a fishing park sometime.

 

 

All ready for action. Mildred has a long week-end at the end of the month. Try our luck with the pla nin then.

 

 

Would not even think of fishing for the beautiful mekongs. It would be betraying them.

 

 

 

And Mildred's folder. The last one is now filled up with 50 paintings/drawings.

 

 

The pond next to our road is completely full now. Spotted a fishing lady yesterday.

 

 

We can see you. Hiding under the tree.

 

 

I'm still looking at pond 6 for clues on the fish deaths. Can't see anything amiss at all. The lilies are doing great, and everything seems natural and normal.

 

 

Next pond along - number 7 - is also looking good.

 

 

Those rats are sneaky. They can't get past the wire mesh but they can get their teeth into the sacks and try to pull them over.

 

 

Gonna have over 70/80 sacks arriving after this year's harvest. The 40 or so in the store will have to be sold off. Price is 9 baht a kilo at the mo'. If it gets to 12 baht, it'll be time to take it all to Ban Dung.

 

Not given up  on turkeys, ducks or goats. But Mrs Owl is not interested in anything at the farm. I go nearly every day, and Mildred about three times a week, but the Mrs only visits once every two weeks. Then she moans about this and that. But the turkeys a.re still about.

 

 

 

Mildred's special euca and pineapple are still doing good. Will have to pull the euca over soon to miss the roof.

 

 

The nut bunches on the number one oil palm keep growing.

 

 

If the price of nuts keep at around 10 baht,  I'll be well pleased

 The price of cooking oil and palm oil is ridiculous right now. Over 60 baht a litre. A year ago it was cheaper than diesel at around 22 baht. I knew someone who was putting onto their pick-up. Not me of course.

 

The Buddha at the end of the super-highway is having a fair bit of work done.

 

New walls.

 

 

Bricks at the ready.

 

 

And the other side of the soon-to-be grand entrance. No sitting down on the job now.

 

 

Our biggest euca is by default. I just happened to put the wire the other side of the tree a few years back. Anyway; it's grand.

 

 

Also grand are the avoes outside the house. The biggest one is an inch in diameter at the base.

 

 

Nadine - or is it Nadil - is the daring one. Got the makings of a Hells Angel.

 

 

 

Next drizzle  is forecast for the week-end.  Don't want this month to go out with a whimper. Rain where are you? Forget India, forget China; come to Isaan (Ban Dung area).

 

Footy round up.

The three divisions start up at the week-end. Starting with the northern clash of Huddersfield and Burnley.

The ladies reach the euro finals. Well done girls. Just the Germans, or French, to beat now.

Had a wager on PP. Through my daughter is England I must add. Ipswich, Watford and Swindon all to get promoted. Easy money!

Sadness with the death of footy enthusiast, and Liverpool supporter,  Iain Walsh. Known to all on here as Wilai. Rest peacefully fella.

 

Got it wrong about Penny Mordaunt. Had a butchers but couldn't see no 20-1; so came away. Saved two squids there. She has gone and now it's Liz and Rishi.

 

Mask wearing gradually lessening in Ban Dung. No-one wearing them in the village for a couple of weeks now.

 

The Mrs has been nagging me to get cannabis oil. She wants to mix it with aloe vera for her skin. I said "Mrs Owl! That stuff would be wasted on you." She flashed me that big-eyed Thai wife look. "What you say farang?" I thought quickly. "You are lovely as you are teerak. You don't need anything more to make you more beautiful." Seemed to satisfy her. Close call. But still have to get some oil from somewhere.

 

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

Edited July 27, 2022 by owl sees all
Spelt Wilai wrong

[bannork]

Blistering hot the last three days, Owl 

[owl sees all]

8 hours ago, bannork said:

Blistering hot the last three days, Owl 

You are not wrong there. It is 7 in the morning and already it's 28c. Looks like another scorcher today

 

Those people back in the UK don't know what 'hot' is. I'm reading that there are fires in my old stomping areas of Dagenhan East and Wennington (just east of Rainham). Think someone is starting these fires. Some funny things happening in the UK at the mo'.

Edited July 28, 2022 by owl sees all

[Boomer6969]

Amazing thread @owl sees all, reminiscent of "Footrot flats"...  RIP Murray Ball.

[bannork]

9 hours ago, owl sees all said:

You are not wrong there. It is 7 in the morning and already it's 28c. Looks like another scorcher today

 

Those people back in the UK don't know what 'hot' is. I'm reading that there are fires in my old stomping areas of Dagenhan East and Wennington (just east of Rainham). Think someone is starting these fires. Some funny things happening in the UK at the mo'.

I was planning on planting 30 durian saplings this weekend. The nursery, about 15 km from Ban Dung on the main Udon road, has reasonably sized saplings for 350 baht each. But they've grown under the black sunscreen canopies and I'm not sure they'd survive this sun without that protection. Mine would be scattered about between various other trees so I can't be bothered to put up canopies individually 

I might try 10 first and see how they get on.

 

[owl sees all]

15 hours ago, bannork said:

I was planning on planting 30 durian saplings this weekend. The nursery, about 15 km from Ban Dung on the main Udon road, has reasonably sized saplings for 350 baht each. But they've grown under the black sunscreen canopies and I'm not sure they'd survive this sun without that protection. Mine would be scattered about between various other trees so I can't be bothered to put up canopies individually 

I might try 10 first and see how they get on.

 

The 'number 4' market is just a week away. Well worth a look Bannork. Reckon you could get what you need there. At bargain prices too. You probably know it as well as me.

 

I don't like durians. The smell reminds me of stale petrol. And the taste!!! Only once, about 14 years ago. Don't think it's changed since then. Orrible!

 

Also those twits that say durian is the 'king of fruits' get on my tits. Everyone knows that the 'king of fruits' is the humble grape. I think they say it just to wind us farangs up.

Edited July 29, 2022 by owl sees all

[bannork]

11 hours ago, owl sees all said:

The 'number 4' market is just a week away. Well worth a look Bannork. Reckon you could get what you need there. At bargain prices too. You probably know it as well as me.

 

I don't like durians. The smell reminds me of stale petrol. And the taste!!! Only once, about 14 years ago. Don't think it's changed since then. Orrible!

 

Also those twits that say durian is the 'king of fruits' get on my tits. Everyone knows that the 'king of fruits' is the humble grape. I think they say it just to wind us farangs up.

Thanks for reminding me about the market, Owl. Haven't been for a while but I'll give it a try next week.

Got to disagree about durian. Absolute ecstasy when you get a perfectly ripe morn thong in my view.

It reaches those parts other fruits can't reach, to paraphrase a 70s beer advert for Carling Black Label, if I remember correctly.

No 2 and 3, I'd place lychee and mangosteen.

A brother-in-law's brother moved to Chumpon about 30 years ago. Started planting durian and coffee plants. Worth a fortune now. The brother-in-law was willing to make the move but his wife wouldn't go. There's no place like home/Issan.

[owl sees all]

18 minutes ago, bannork said:

Thanks for reminding me about the market, Owl. Haven't been for a while but I'll give it a try next week.

Got to disagree about durian. Absolute ecstasy when you get a perfectly ripe morn thong in my view.

It reaches those parts other fruits can't reach, to paraphrase a 70s beer advert for Carling Black Label, if I remember correctly.

No 2 and 3, I'd place lychee and mangosteen.

A brother-in-law's brother moved to Chumpon about 30 years ago. Started planting durian and coffee plants. Worth a fortune now. The brother-in-law was willing to make the move but his wife wouldn't go. There's no place like home/Issan.

You have obviously been whacked with the Thai sense of humour stick. Durian is only topped by that fruit Noni. Generally called stink fruit.

 

There are some Thai fruits that I enjoy. That big as a football orange, grapefruity thing is OK. And fresh king fruit is also nice. Yam lai is a good snack as is lychee as you say. Red dragon fruit is OK now and again. Don't like the white one.

 

My three favourite fruits are; grapes, cherries and a nice juicy English apple.

 

Used to live off bananas when I lived in the Caribbean. Only eat one now if I'm starving and there's nothing else.

Edited July 29, 2022 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

On 7/28/2022 at 4:48 PM, bannork said:

I was planning on planting 30 durian saplings this weekend. The nursery, about 15 km from Ban Dung on the main Udon road, has reasonably sized saplings for 350 baht each. But they've grown under the black sunscreen canopies and I'm not sure they'd survive this sun without that protection. Mine would be scattered about between various other trees so I can't be bothered to put up canopies individually 

I might try 10 first and see how they get on.

 

Just spoke to Mrs Owl, and she says that "durian 'cannot' grow in Isaan."

 

Don't know too much about it, but I have heard that durian do not do well here. Is that because of the long hot Isaan summers, or something else, like lack of water in the dry season? Last dry season it was dry for 119 consecutive days..

 

I'm sure a farmer or two on here has had experience of growing Durian, We planted one over 10 years ago and it didn't even see a birthday.

[BlueScouse]

Lots of durian plantations in SiSaKet province. Plenty of tourists visit them. Prices no cheaper than those sold of the back of pick ups in Ubon.

[bannork]

23 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Just spoke to Mrs Owl, and she says that "durian 'cannot' grow in Isaan."

 

Don't know too much about it, but I have heard that durian do not do well here. Is that because of the long hot Isaan summers, or something else, like lack of water in the dry season? Last dry season it was dry for 119 consecutive days..

 

I'm sure a farmer or two on here has had experience of growing Durian, We planted one over 10 years ago and it didn't even see a birthday.

i have an irrigation system so watering is no problem.

Our soil is good in parts so I'll give it a whirl for 10 or 15 plants first of all.

Excellent rain right now Owl after a week's abstinence. The same your way?

 

[Lacessit]

On 7/29/2022 at 8:34 AM, owl sees all said:

 

 

I don't like durians. The smell reminds me of stale petrol. And the taste!!! Only once, about 14 years ago. Don't think it's changed since then. Orrible!

 

Also those twits that say durian is the 'king of fruits' get on my tits. Everyone knows that the 'king of fruits' is the humble grape. I think they say it just to wind us farangs up.

I tried durian only once. It tasted like a slightly rotten grapefruit. My breath for about four hours was smelling like an open sewer, even to myself. Disgusting.

 

IMO the avocado is the king of fruits. It contains healthy unsaturated fats which help lower LDL and cholesterol.

 

Apologies for raining on your parade, but grapes are unhealthy. They are high in fructose, which has to be metabolized  by the liver, as insulin only deals with glucose.

[owl sees all]

9 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I tried durian only once. It tasted like a slightly rotten grapefruit. My breath for about four hours was smelling like an open sewer, even to myself. Disgusting.

 

IMO the avocado is the king of fruits. It contains healthy unsaturated fats which help lower LDL and cholesterol.

 

Apologies for raining on your parade, but grapes are unhealthy. They are high in fructose, which has to be metabolized  by the liver, as insulin only deals with glucose.

I'll never get to grips with a durian. Makes me feel ill thinking of them.

 

I eat avocadoes regularly, but find that too much of them give me heartburn. The new shape of the avo is a bit disconcerting. Why have they started growing them like this?

 

 

I don't disagree about some fruits not being the most healthy; I just like grapes. And of course they are useful for something else. If you eat too many bananas they can kill you. I used to eat well over 30 a day once. These were small - a big as ya thumb - but incredibly tasty.

[owl sees all]

11 hours ago, bannork said:

i have an irrigation system so watering is no problem.

Our soil is good in parts so I'll give it a whirl for 10 or 15 plants first of all.

Excellent rain right now Owl after a week's abstinence. The same your way?

 

Give them a go Bannork. I would think about planting them in areas where they get the relentless sun for hours on end.

 

Have a look at the market next Thursday  (4th). The horticultural section doesn't seemed to have suffered since the move from the town centre. Please let us know how you get on with the trees.

 

Plenty of Dunder and Blitzen last evening. Not so much rain.

 

Edited July 31, 2022 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 31-07-2022 - Sunday morning

 

It was hot last week. Was helping BeeApp get things sorted at the farm, The heat was a bit too much for me on Thursday and I called it a day at 11ish. We were having a big tidy up ready for the grass cutting.

 

 

 

A couple of other jobs also. I had been collecting stone to be used for road repair.

 

 

I can see what you have done BeeApp; broken the seven pounder.

 

 

Just too enthusiastic there mate. A couple more barrow loads should do this section.

 

 

Every time I see a nice big stone, I check to see no-one's watching, and it's into the back of the pick-up with it. Better than buying stone from the concrete shop.

 

I left BeeApp to it for the last job of the day.

 

 

Putting in two 4 inchers between ponds 2 and 3, and 3 and 4.

 

 

When some decent rain arrives, we should have the first four ponds completely full.

 

While he was messing about putting in the pipes I sorted out the broken hammer.

 

 

Poo wanted to help but she was just getting in the way.

 

Didn't have much problem clearing the head of old debris.

 

 

A bit of choppy-choppy and the head was fitted. first cutting a 'vee' for a wedge.

 

 

Ready for a two minute soak to tighten everything up.

 

 

Good to go for another couple of years.

 

 

Going back to the farm in the afternoon, I caught the buffs being taken home.

 

 

BeeApp got stuck into a bit of grass cutting yesterday. Not too much for a whole day but it was hot. Today (Sunday) is much cooler. Should see a fair bit done over the next couple of days.

 

 

I'm informed that a cobra bite killed a young cow at the rear of us. There is a big cobra in the area. I've seen it twice. I reckon it's about 2 and a half metre long and dark. I was all for catching it a couple of years ago but no one else seemed interested. Perhaps now, with the cow death and Nadine and Nadill at their farm for a bit each day I might be able to get a posse together.

 

Footy round up.

It has started. Pick of the matches; Owls vs Pompey; 3-3. Burnley got off to a great start on Friday evening away against The Terriers. Orient had a comfortable home win. My tip for promotion to the EPL, Watford, play later. Liverpool won against City at the King Power. What a bit of common sense that is from the FA for a change. Better than forcing Liverpool and Manchester fans to travel to London for a friendly!? Should have rented out Old Trafford, or toffee's ground, for a day; even better. Got more fans in. Why subject the fans to unnecessary expense in these times? Obviously the FA have the fans interests at heart. And why the switch? England ladies vs German lasses this afternoon.

 

Last week was hot. Reckon it got to 40c+ every day. Drop of rain last evening cooled things down a bit. Very pleasant today.

 

A local guy we know stopped a few days ago, and told us that he had seen our escapee yellow budgie at his farm earlier. I went along but couldn't see it. Good to know it is OK though.

 

Mildred has had four days off school. She doesn't get the homework that she did at the last. They dabble in Japanese and Chinese at this school. Don't really know what to make of it. Her latest test results; English 95%, Science 60%, Maths 75%. No new news about the swimming. By the time she goes the cozzy won't fit her.

 

She is still keeping on with her art. One painting half finished this long week-end. www.mildredart.com

 

Our canopy is falling apart. Probably have to get a new one soon. Still not done anything for the birds.

 

 

Could try to repair it. But I reckon I'd be on a loser. Just too far gone. So it's hand into pocket time; again.

 

Had to replace a part on the gas supply in the kitchen. It's all money; 480 baht.

 

 

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

Edited July 31, 2022 by owl sees all

[Lacessit]

3 hours ago, owl sees all said:

I'll never get to grips with a durian. Makes me feel ill thinking of them.

 

I eat avocadoes regularly, but find that too much of them give me heartburn. The new shape of the avo is a bit disconcerting. Why have they started growing them like this?

 

 

I don't disagree about some fruits not being the most healthy; I just like grapes. And of course they are useful for something else. If you eat too many bananas they can kill you. I used to eat well over 30 a day once. These were small - a big as ya thumb - but incredibly tasty.

For some reason best known to her, my GF claims the long avocados are tastier. Personally, I can't taste the difference.

If you are getting heartburn from too many of them, it may be because you are making your gall bladder work harder in producing bile to digest the healthy unsaturated fats.

I have found small can be better in a number of entities.

[owl sees all]

42 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

For some reason best known to her, my GF claims the long avocados are tastier. Personally, I can't taste the difference.

If you are getting heartburn from too many of them, it may be because you are making your gall bladder work harder in producing bile to digest the healthy unsaturated fats.

I have found small can be better in a number of entities.

'Long avocados'. So that's what they are known as!

 

You are bang on the money about the food. Moderation in life is best.  Just a little will see us through. Be that avocadoes, Reishi wine (fortified with Lao Khow), excitement, beer, bananas or exercise.

 

I've noticed that this year my reflexes have gotten sharper. Went to the fridge the other day to get a cold drink. Took one out and it slipped through my fingers. You know that before it hit the ground, I had moved my foot out of the way. That's moderation for ya. Can't have enough of it.

 

And I'm getting taller. It's true. For years I was walking into the bathroom without hitting my head. Now I can't walk through the door, unless I duck. Again; must put that down to moderate living.

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, owl sees all said:

 

And I'm getting taller. It's true. For years I was walking into the bathroom without hitting my head. Now I can't walk through the door, unless I duck. Again; must put that down to moderate living.

Are you sure you are not sliding into Mrs Owl's high heels after imbibing the red wine and Lhao Kaow?

[owl sees all]

5 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Are you sure you are not sliding into Mrs Owl's high heels after imbibing the red wine and Lhao Kaow?

No! We are barefoot in the house.

 

I'm sure it is because I'm getting taller and I'm forgetting to lower the head as I pass from the utility to the bathroom. Did check the height some time ago 6 foot three inches,

[Lacessit]

12 hours ago, owl sees all said:

No! We are barefoot in the house.

 

I'm sure it is because I'm getting taller and I'm forgetting to lower the head as I pass from the utility to the bathroom. Did check the height some time ago 6 foot three inches,

An alternative hypothesis is you used to duck your head automatically before, now you don't because you have to think about it.

My GF shifts things. I am accustomed to knowing where everything is, so when she puts something a foot away from where I left it, I have to recalibrate. Drives me nuts.

[owl sees all]

3 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

An alternative hypothesis is you used to duck your head automatically before, now you don't because you have to think about it.

My GF shifts things. I am accustomed to knowing where everything is, so when she puts something a foot away from where I left it, I have to recalibrate. Drives me nuts.

You could be right there Lacessit.

 

That moving things and not saying can drive you mad. My Mrs does it with and money. It was in my pocket and it moved to her purse. Simply magic!!

 

Overthinking is not just a Thai lady thing. When we are here (in Thailand) for long periods we can get afflicted with the same things that earlier we said were nonsense..

 

There are some things that I stand my ground on though, and will not change. One of these is rubbish.

 

A few years ago I took the boss of our village to a meeting in Phen (near Nong Khai). He sat in the back of the pick-up with his wife; my Mrs was in the front. I noticed that he was looking for somewhere to put his empty water bottle. I was just about to ask Mrs Owl to take it off him, when he shoved it out of the window. I stopped the pick-up and quickly went back, picked the bottle up and threw it into the back.

 

Nothing was said until we got back.to the village a couple of hours later. Then the Mrs cut loose. she went on and on about how I made the boss feel small and hurt his feelings.

 

Later he brought round a pack of water to our house. A subtle thanks I reckon. Not for the lift either. A few weeks later we started having weekly rubbish collections. It turned out that the meeting that I took him to was about the starting up of rubbish collections.

 

I'd like to think that the little act - even though it caused me to be in the dog-house for weeks - helped to clean up the village. Although judging by the amount of <deleted> scattered around right now, I doubt it. But it was 12 years ago; so have slipped back into the norm.

 

Anyway. Where were we? Yes I remember now; overthinking.

 

 

[Lacessit]

11 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

You could be right there Lacessit.

 

That moving things and not saying can drive you mad. My Mrs does it with and money. It was in my pocket and it moved to her purse. Simply magic!!

 

Overthinking is not just a Thai lady thing. When we are here (in Thailand) for long periods we can get afflicted with the same things that earlier we said were nonsense..

 

There are some things that I stand my ground on though, and will not change. One of these is rubbish.

 

A few years ago I took the boss of our village to a meeting in Phen (near Nong Khai). He sat in the back of the pick-up with his wife; my Mrs was in the front. I noticed that he was looking for somewhere to put his empty water bottle. I was just about to ask Mrs Owl to take it off him, when he shoved it out of the window. I stopped the pick-up and quickly went back, picked the bottle up and threw it into the back.

 

Nothing was said until we got back.to the village a couple of hours later. Then the Mrs cut loose. she went on and on about how I made the boss feel small and hurt his feelings.

 

Later he brought round a pack of water to our house. A subtle thanks I reckon. Not for the lift either. A few weeks later we started having weekly rubbish collections. It turned out that the meeting that I took him to was about the starting up of rubbish collections.

 

I'd like to think that the little act - even though it caused me to be in the dog-house for weeks - helped to clean up the village. Although judging by the amount of <deleted> scattered around right now, I doubt it. But it was 12 years ago; so have slipped back into the norm.

 

Anyway. Where were we? Yes I remember now; overthinking.

 

 

One thing I will give my GF, she cleans everything. Every day. Including floor dirt I can't even see, with or without glasses. It's when she is cleaning she moves things. I swear she does not use all the detergent in the washing machine, she eats half of it.

Time to mow the lawn, I'll send a photo after it is done. Growing fast with all the rain.

[Lacessit]

Photos before and after, as promised. I mow at 5 pm, in the shade.

This, plus washing the car, guarantees rain.

[GarryP]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

Photos before and after, as promised. I mow at 5 pm, in the shade.

This, plus washing the car, guarantees rain.

 

What grass is that? Early next year I will move into my new house and will have to start on the garden. Want a small lawn too. Malaysian grass does not seem to be hardy enough, based on the lawn at my current abode. Doesn't handle shade well either.  

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

Photos before and after, as promised. I mow at 5 pm, in the shade.

This, plus washing the car, guarantees rain.

Looks great bud'.

[Lacessit]

49 minutes ago, GarryP said:

What grass is that? Early next year I will move into my new house and will have to start on the garden. Want a small lawn too. Malaysian grass does not seem to be hardy enough, based on the lawn at my current abode. Doesn't handle shade well either.  

Half of it was planted, easy to mow.

The other half is like Topsy, just grew. Very fine and dense, I have to take it slow with the mower. Can't kill it with an axe, does not seem to need water.

This grass is on a golf course in Chiang Rai, called Khan Mara. It looks like it never needs mowing, and I've never seen a sprinkler on the fairways.

[GarryP]

32 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Half of it was planted, easy to mow.

The other half is like Topsy, just grew. Very fine and dense, I have to take it slow with the mower. Can't kill it with an axe, does not seem to need water.

This grass is on a golf course in Chiang Rai, called Khan Mara. It looks like it never needs mowing, and I've never seen a sprinkler on the fairways.

 

Thanks. I'll check into that. No watering would be great. I don't mind mowing/cutting but I find watering so boring.  

[bannork]

Owl, thanks for the recommendation concerning the monthly market.

The first stall on the right entering the plants/ saplings section belonged to a guy and his wife from Rayong. Some fine durian saplings for sale at 100 baht so I bought and planted 10 along with a couple of rambutan saplings for 100 baht a pair.

A big saving, 350 baht a tree at the nursery.

I'll see how they get on, if okay, I'll go again next month for more  

 

 

[owl sees all]

11 hours ago, bannork said:

Owl, thanks for the recommendation concerning the monthly market.

The first stall on the right entering the plants/ saplings section belonged to a guy and his wife from Rayong. Some fine durian saplings for sale at 100 baht so I bought and planted 10 along with a couple of rambutan saplings for 100 baht a pair.

A big saving, 350 baht a tree at the nursery.

I'll see how they get on, if okay, I'll go again next month for more  

 

 

'That's a great result Bannork.

 

I know so little about the plant/tree that I cannot offer any worthwhile advice on rearing them.

 

Do keep us posted on developments.