Diary of a farang in Isaan

[sotonowl]

Rubiks cube Owl?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-64442060

[roo860]

On 1/30/2023 at 9:13 AM, owl sees all said:

Mem and hubby visited us yesterday. They were so happy to see the dogs in good shape, and the dogs were overjoyed to see old friends.

 

Michael took a couple of short vids around the farm. I reckon he will put them up on his channel.

Just seen the video Michael put on YouTube, dogs look well, that's some farm you've got there muka!

[owl sees all]

2 hours ago, roo860 said:

Just seen the video Michael put on YouTube, dogs look well, that's some farm you've got there muka!

Thanks boss.

We did have over 80 rai, but done a deal and lost 18 rai. But gained a tractor and another 4 rai closer to the farm house.. Looking to get the farm next to us. That'll be another 22 rai.

 

Michael has done a grand job with the vid.

 

 

 

[owl sees all]

8 hours ago, sotonowl said:

Rubiks cube Owl?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-64442060

Watched it. Thanks fellow Owl.

 

I'm just over 2 minutes and Mildred is about 30 seconds faster than me. But she has returned to her tippy-tappy and lost a bit of interest, so, if I continue my unrelenting improvement, I'll soon be house champ.

 

The vast number of actual combinations got me thinking. I worked out that there are precisely 69 more combinations of a standard cube - that's 3x3x3 - than there are discarded face masks in Thailand.

[GarryP]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Watched it. Thanks fellow Owl.

 

I'm just over 2 minutes and Mildred is about 30 seconds faster than me. But she has returned to her tippy-tappy and lost a bit of interest, so, if I continue my unrelenting improvement, I'll soon be house champ.

 

The vast number of actual combinations got me thinking. I worked out that there are precisely 69 more combinations of a standard cube - that's 3x3x3 - than there are discarded face masks in Thailand.

Youv'e got me studying how to solve the Rubik's cube now. But I'd better go out and buy a cube. No idea where though. 

[Fat is a type of crazy]

It was good seeing the farm like that. Huge. Was that Mrs Owl laughing? Good life up there. 

[owl sees all]

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

It was good seeing the farm like that. Huge. Was that Mrs Owl laughing? Good life up there. 

Thanks bro. That was her laughing with Mem, the dog lady.

 

Yes, it's gradually grown over 15 years. Looking at one more bit to complete the farm 'jig-saw'.

 

It's been an adventure alright. We have had buffaloes (US spelling) and pigs,. Ducks - twice - and dogs. As far as trees go; I planted 2,200 rubber trees and 192 oil palm that have all been ripped up. Also cassava; which was a loser. Tried my hand at a lot of stuff in the ponds too. Probably cost more for these ventures than what the farm is worth.

 

Have 5 bore holes, and did have water towers with a total capacity of 20k litres. But it went a tad  'pear-shaped' when I went to England for 7 months in 2015. Long story.

 

A walk around all four parts to the farm would be about 3k meters. Not done that for a few years though. I'm past it now!

[sotonowl]

11 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Thanks boss.

We did have over 80 rai, but done a deal and lost 18 rai. But gained a tractor and another 4 rai closer to the farm house.. Looking to get the farm next to us. That'll be another 22 rai.

 

Michael has done a grand job with the vid.

 

 

 

What's with the Owl at the start of the video Owl? He's not another Owl is he? We get all over.????

[yogavnture]

what is the bigggest and main city in issan

[owl sees all]

8 hours ago, yogavnture said:

what is the bigggest and main city in issan

Good question!

 

There are three biggies. Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Khorat (Nakhon Ratchasima).

 

Thaksin Shinawatra was going to make Udon the admin capitol of Thailand. So maybe it's that one.

 

Udon is certainly the fastest growing.

 

Nong Khai is quaint.

[owl sees all]

9 hours ago, sotonowl said:

What's with the Owl at the start of the video Owl? He's not another Owl is he? We get all over.????

 

Owls and magpies. Lot's of character there.

 

No sign of the budgies since they were let go. i often wonder how they are faring. Always looking up at the fluttering in the trees.

[yogavnture]

7 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Good question!

 

There are three biggies. Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Khorat (Nakhon Ratchasima).

 

Thaksin Shinawatra was going to make Udon the admin capitol of Thailand. So maybe it's that one.

 

Udon is certainly the fastest growing.

 

Nong Khai is quaint.

which one has decent restaurants for farang . which city is most farang freindly.  i hear alot of the best massage therapists come from issan.   maybe i go visit one city. i will look what city has airport i guess and go thier/???

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, yogavnture said:

which one has decent restaurants for farang . which city is most farang freindly.  i hear alot of the best massage therapists come from issan.   maybe i go visit one city. i will look what city has airport i guess and go thier/???

My money would be on Udon Thani. There is a solid farang community there and has all, the visiting and established westerner, could want.

 

As for massages; depends on what you want. If you just need to get your tired body sorted, Udon is as good as anywhere. But if it's 'happy ending' you want then you best to consult the farangs in the bars around 'Nutty Park'. They will put you right.

 

A sizable airport at Udon. Quite modern.

 

But TBH, Udon has no draw for me nowdays. I prefer to be out in the sticks.

[bannork]

On 2/2/2023 at 3:54 PM, owl sees all said:

My money would be on Udon Thani. There is a solid farang community there and has all, the visiting and established westerner, could want.

 

As for massages; depends on what you want. If you just need to get your tired body sorted, Udon is as good as anywhere. But if it's 'happy ending' you want then you best to consult the farangs in the bars around 'Nutty Park'. They will put you right.

 

A sizable airport at Udon. Quite modern.

 

But TBH, Udon has no draw for me nowdays. I prefer to be out in the sticks.

I can't see the point of spending my retirement walking around Central Mall shopping with a rented wife or sitting for hours on end in one of the bars/ restaurants on the strip up to the train station. Boooooring but that's just my view.

Another type of bore, bore holes.

My three year old bore hole worked fine for two years but then in November problems began. Water would cease flowing after 2, maximum 3 minutes.

The electrican said change the transformer. Did, still the same problem. The guy who initially installed the submersible pump came over. Drill a new hole was his advice, the water is not enough.

I didn't believe him but I was tired of carrying two watering cans every day.

Luckily a crew from Sakon Nakhon were drilling across the road.

They pulled up the submersible and swore.

The crew who installed the pump didn't have enough one piece electric wire for the 35 metre depth so they had joined the extension wire with a plastic bag, the flimsy type you get from a vendor!

Over time water had got into this , shorting out and causing the pump to stop. The new crew reasoned the pump would initially run for 2 minutes as at first the wires would be dry but once in operation the wires would soon get wet and cut out.

Flucking cowboys! 

 

 

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, bannork said:

I can't see the point of spending my retirement walking around Central Mall shopping with a rented wife or sitting for hours on end in one of the bars/ restaurants on the strip up to the train station. Boooooring but that's just my view.

Another type of bore, bore holes.

My three year old bore hole worked fine for two years but then in November problems began. Water would cease flowing after 2, maximum 3 minutes.

The electrican said change the transformer. Did, still the same problem. The guy who initially installed the submersible pump came over. Drill a new hole was his advice, the water is not enough.

I didn't believe him but I was tired of carrying two watering cans every day.

Luckily a crew from Sakon Nakhon were drilling across the road.

They pulled up the submersible and swore.

The crew who installed the pump didn't have enough one piece electric wire for the 35 metre depth so they had joined the extension wire with a plastic bag, the flimsy type you get from a vendor!

Over time water had got into this , shorting out and causing the pump to stop. The new crew reasoned the pump would initially run for 2 minutes as at first the wires would be dry but once in operation the wires would soon get wet and cut out.

Flucking cowboys! 

 

 

 

Agree with you about the malls and the bars. Not my cup of rosy. But if the farangs want to live their life that way; well that's just fine with me.

 

I've had 4 bore-holes drilled at the farm Also there is another in the middle of number 5 farm that was done by the previous owner. None in use at the mo. But the future's a'coming and who knows how the cookie will crumble.

 

 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 06-02-2023 - Monday evening

 

Bit late getting started this week. Couldn't get the AN up-loader to work Sunday and today I've been sorting out business in Ban Dung.

 

The pick-up has also been out of action all week. It's not the youngest of vehicles, and mostly it goes from the village to the farm and back. Bit of a drain on the battery. So last  Tuesday it refused to start. Got the charger out and stuck it on; as you do. And, as I'd done dozens of times before.

 

 

Not this time! Took it to the tool-repair man in the village and he pronounced it 'cannot'. So, straight on Lazada for a new one. This particular one caught my eye. Had good write ups and seemed cheap enough at 390 Baht. Arrived in two days.

 

 

A lot more compact that the old whacker.

 

 

All looked good. Charged the battery for a couple of hours and tried to start the Voathon. Nothing!

 

Wen I came back from town this afternoon, put it back on. Just tried it at 19-15,,and it roared into life. Yes! Yes! Yes!,

 

There is a very handsome chicken in our soi. As long as there are no dogs about - including Oscar and Robert - he/she strolls about without a care.

 

 

Handsome/pretty!! Don't want to misgender it. Beautiful colours.

 

 

Mildred cut my hair on Saturday. She said it was finished and I didn't look for half-an-hour when I washed it.

 

 

Getting a sense of humour is our Mildred. Good to see.

 

Poo and Robert are friends. But, not Oscar and Poo. Ginger don't get on with any dog. And Jack simply stays away.

 

 

 

Some older pics of family activities.

 

Colour show in Bandung 2019.

 

 

Mildred's last school.

 

 

 

Watching the water in Prajek Park.

 

 

Just wandering about.

 

 

 

Daughter likes my bike.

 

 

A relaxed Mildred ready to feed the fish and birds.

 

 

 

Birds got in first.

 

 

Snake show at Number 4 Market.

 

 

 

And one from 3/4 years ago. In the green team.

 

 

 

Footy round-up.

Toffeemen - under new management - do City a favour, and Spurs return the favour to the Gooners, the next day. Both games 1-0.

There may be talk of hardship in England, but the gates are just fantastic. 72k in the week at Old Trafford. At the week-end Derby got 26k and The Owls a whopping 34k for their top of the table clash with Plymouth.

'Liverpool misery continues'; said the BBC.. Don't ya just hate it. Wolves getting their own back in that one.

Orient stay top with a home win.

Quite impressed with Wrexham. I'll be watching them.

The Premier League has charged Manchester City with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules following a four-year investigation. Can see a 99 point deduction there. Relegation beckons!!

 

World focus.

The whole world has now seen the weather balloon floating serenely round the world, about 50k feet up. When it entered the sky above the US!! Panic!! Shoot it down! Catch it! Leave it, 'cause it could be holding dangerous stuff! And there is another! Over Chile at the mo. I want to see one over Isaan!

Bad earthquakes in the Middle East. Many lives lost.

 

Local news

The Hua Hin tennis tournament was won in two sets by Chinese lady Zhu. Beat Ukraine's Tsurenko in two sets. Ms Tararudee represented Thailand, but went out in the first round.

 

In the doubles;  Chan and Wu beat Wang and Zhu; 2 sets to nil.

The Thai girls, Kumkhum and Pipuech lost in the semis.

Was it well attended? Didn't see it on TV. But only had a quick look, so it might have been.

 

Felt really sorry for Mildred today. She spent a couple of hours, over the weekend, making a fold-up box for a school project. Put it in a bag. Kept it away from her school satchel so as not to spoil it. Then went and left it on the bus this morning.

Couldn't get it to her, even though we went to Ban Dung. Have to hand it in tomorrow. Will lose marks though for late presentation.

 

Eyesight.

I did say in another post that I would present my secret, about maintaining good vision as ya get older. Here it is. Eyes wide open. Do a figure of eight a couple of times horizontally. Rest for a while and then do the same figure of eight; but vertically. A couple of times a day is OK. Don't do it with the eyes closed.

 

Fasting finished for another three weeks. No food at all for the last three days of the month. Half-heatedly doing my urine therapy. Keep forgetting. Amandha would not be proud of me.

 

Dogs growing up. Started fighting. Although why they are at it, the tails are wagging. Robert is the aggressor.

 

A tiny bit of rain last week. The weather forecast for Udon said over 60% chance a few times. But not yet. Last year - if my memory serves me - we started to get rain in the second week in Feb.

 

Don't seem to be getting anything sorted. Not gone to Udon; but might as well wait for the 90 day trip now. Have not put down any stone for the road. No games of chess. Pointless worrying about starting up the water pump now. Gonna pour down next week.

 

The year's biggest market was on at the week-end; the 'River Market'. The Mrs went and took a load of pics. I'll do an Owl Log Special in the week.

 

Mildred has been neglecting her artwork. I think it's the dogs.

 

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

 

 

 

[Damrongsak]

That pretty chicken sure looks like a rooster.  My wife has about 40 or 50 pet bantam chickens.  About 4 or 5 of them look like that one.  One of the older ones doesn't seem to like the other aggressive chickens so he'll hang out with people. 

 

 

[owl sees all]

 

They are just fantastic. Thanks for the pics.

 

There is a chicken farm next to ours. So I've seen hundreds. And I give them grub - if I have some to give - virtually every day.

 

This particular village chicken is striking. I'll try to get a close up pic,  if I'm out when it is strutting about.

[owl sees all]

Remember this last month?!

 

 

Latest!

 

 

Love it!

[Damrongsak]

Owl, the farang/Thai friends down the way have a new kind of chicken. 

 

(Found this little poodle dog sweater at a thrift shop for $2 US.  They said she just recently killed a squirrel.  Good little hunter. I dog-sit occasionally.  They have 8  gigantic laying hens, so I get free eggs now and then.   Good deal now that even cheap eggs are $4/dozen and these are natural/free range.)

[Damrongsak]

23 hours ago, owl sees all said:

 

They are just fantastic. Thanks for the pics.  ....

One rooster is particularly friendly, and another was getting there.  And after a few weeks, a small hen or two would not be too scared of me.  Less scared of me than the strong young roosters that, according to my wife, rape the hens.  Always laugh at that.  But there are plenty of tiny  chicks underfoot unless local cats or dogs want a crunchy snack.  So cute to watch them dodge the adults when they stampede at feeding time.  Or watch mama hen show them how to scratch for insects and such.

 

... And that is how I spent weeks of my vacation last fall during my first visit in about 15 years.  Loei never was very exciting, 555.

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, Damrongsak said:

One rooster is particularly friendly, and another was getting there.  And after a few weeks, a small hen or two would not be too scared of me.  Less scared of me than the strong young roosters that, according to my wife, rape the hens.  Always laugh at that.  But there are plenty of tiny  chicks underfoot unless local cats or dogs want a crunchy snack.  So cute to watch them dodge the adults when they stampede at feeding time.  Or watch mama hen show them how to scratch for insects and such.

 

Ah yes chickens!! Have my happy times with them. But they are constantly changing. Make friends with one in particular, and he goes missing, Then others appear,

 

Feed time.

 

 

Follow the leader.

 

 

Eating the fish bait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 08-03-2023 - Wednesday morning

 

Market Festival over Fri, Sat and Sunday last.

 

This is the biggest festival on the calendar for the area. Only 7km from the village. Two different stages with performers, and dozens of stalls, and stands, and carts, selling food, clothes, plants etc.

 

The centre of the show for most is the temple. There are queues to get in .

 

 

 

 

Plenty pf clothing on offer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pics by Mrs Owl.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log  - 12-02-2023 - Sunday afternoon

 

Finally got away to Udon on Thursday. Stopped off at the Sum Sao Buddha for 30 minutes. They are steaming ahead with the build. And the front section has also been clarified. Before there was lots of plastic bunting everywhere.

Left the Buddha, and went down the back roads to Udon. Found a nice pond and a horse farm. Last stop was at a bit of land for sale on the outskirts of the city.

 

Pond Buddha still under construction.

 

 

In the front area things looked good.

 

 

Bunting nearly gone.

 

 

Some bunting still up high, but not at throat height like last time I visited.

 

 

Next, it was through to the back, where the action was.

 

 

 

 

Underneath there was more work; but the painters were off for a bit of grub.

 

 

Nice tiling.

 

 

Then it was upstairs for a butchers.

 

 

 

Buddhas in place but not yet ready for the elements. Probably not yet painted.

 

On me way out, I saw some lovely boat hand carvings.

 

 

This place is the nuts. I'm sure it will have thousands of visitors in the future. I'll be back in 90 days.

 

I was on me way.

 

Next thing that caught my eye was a nice pond.

 

 

Don't often see horses in Isaan.

 

 

Some land for sale.

 

 

Wouldn't normally stop to take a pic of a 'for-sale' sign, but I was taken by the house; which I reckon was included.

 

 

Into Udon. Sorted out the business in just a couple of minutes. Lady pointed out, that I would need to get my passport renewed this year. Last time is was very easy with IPS; out of Hong Kong if I can recall.. Now it has all changed. I'll consult the passport threads in AN.

 

Went round the corner to see a relative, who lives close to the railway station. Before I had gotten out of the pick-up I had a call from Mildred. "Come pick me up Daddy. I finish early." It was 13-15 and I was a fair way from Ban Dung. "OK dear. But I'll not be with you until about two thirty."  I was on my way. Didn't get too far along the Sakon Nakhon road, when just past the Chinese sector, I spotted 'Cheese to meat you'. The shop is located on one of the best sections of road in Udon. Big wide road, plenty of stopping space. Pulled over.

 

Went straight to the fridge and there was a big chunk of 'Gouda'. 500 baht a kilo. 735 baht all told. In and out of the shop in just two minutes. Young lady behind the counter spoke really good English.

 

 

Ban Dung next stop.

 

Waited for her in the arranged place. Watched an exciting games of 'boules'.

 

 

Mildred located; we were off home. But there was still snapping to be done.

 

A new shop on the main drag. Very nice. "Watch the hole love."

 

 

A couple of big elephants caught my eye.

 

 

And another hiding in the back.

 

 

Road repairs. Or to be more accurate road enhancements.

 

All those beautiful trees gone.

 

 

Main machine.

 

 

Some plank cutting at the village. It's interesting to watch. The cutter studies the log and decides what way is gonna get the best yield.

 

 

The edges are trimmed. Lady keeping a close eye on things. Making sure he is doing it good.

 

 

Get rid of the edge bit; the bark.

 

 

 

Then the main cutting begins.

 

 

 

Soon have enough to build a nice village house.

 

 

 

Took the doggies - Robert and Oscar - to the farm yesterday.

 

 

 

Oscar is the swimmer. Robert the swim coach.

 

 

Youngsters off to the local school.

 

 

Monks make their rounds.

 

 

What a beauty?!

 

 

Big procession in Ban Dung last week.

 

 

Some enthusiastic marching and exquisite dancing.

 

 

Do a Owl Log special in the week. Got some cracking vids.

 

Just to finish off; a pic from the past. What is that shirt?

 

 

Mildred went on her big walk with the class - and her red sick - on Thursday. She said it was all around the salt marshes to the north of Ban Dung. She passed the test. Think it was a fitness thing. The walk was in the morning, and she was free to leave at about one. Was in Udon when she phoned me. Picked her up at two-forty. A lot a of driving Thursday; about 160km. And she had the next day off. Recovery day for the teachers!!

 

footy round-up.

Lots of draws in the EPL.

Burnley, and Blades, steam on in the Championship. 29k to see Tractor boys draw with the Owls. Orient open up a decent gap in their division. Champs League in a couple of years for sure.

Leeds doing well since sacking their manager; not been beat yet. Toffees too. Fulham win again. Foxes hit 4 for the second time in a week. Spurs this time.

 

World focus.

Big news is Seymour Herch's report on his 'substack' about the destroyed gas pipelines.

Another balloon!. Shot down early this one; over Canada.

Liz Truss in England making noises. A comeback?

Some US General reckons there will be trouble between US and China before 2025.

Death toll mounts in Syria and Turkey. Very sad. Over 30,000 dead and still many, many missing.

 

I've got a theory about these balloons. How much does it cost to make one and get it in the air? Not cheap, I reckon about 4 million Baht (100k squids or 130k USD). Let them go up; catch the 'jet stream', and watch with interest as missiles, at 200 USD a pop, are fired at them. Not to mention the fuel for a dozen jets.

Notice that the US is transferring the factories making the chips from Taiwan to the US. Is something a-foot?

 

Local news.

Floating pirate restaurant sinks off Thailand coast. Officials blame a faulty water pump.

Weather change in north-east. Temperatures expected to go well into the 30s this week. Little fires along the sois at an end now.

 

These doggies are greedy pigs. When is a puppy officially a young dog? Robert is 15 weeks old and Oscar 13 weeks. Bought 34 tins of food and 26 kg of biscuit in Big C last visit. Nearly gone.

 

Postponed the urine challenge indefinitely. Yielding good results; but I keep forgetting.

 

Done a bit of running at the farm yesterday. Didn't find it easy. Planned to do 10 hard sprints, but gave up after 3.

 

The Mekongs are showing again, after that dodgy spell. They are coming for food good now.

 

I've given up on Ting the Hat Lady. I'll just go into her shop for reishi strips. No other reason. Maybe get a new hat.

 

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

 

A mid-day snack has just arrived.

 

 

Cheese to eat you. Yum yum.

 

[DJ54]

Thanks Owl… Cheese looks great.. 

[owl sees all]

40 minutes ago, DJ54 said:

Thanks Owl… Cheese looks great.. 

Thanks DJ.

 

I've just seen an awful mistake in the post. Hope no-one notices.

 

""I've got a theory about these balloons. How much does it cost to make one and get it in the air? Not cheap, I reckon about 4 million Baht (100k squids or 130k USD). Let them go up; catch the 'jet stream', and watch with interest as missiles, at 200 USD a pop, are fired at them. Not to mention the fuel for a dozen jets.""

 

Should read 200,000 USD. Sorry President Biden, didn't mean you were doing things on the cheap. My bad.

 

 

[sotonowl]

8 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Floating pirate restaurant sinks off Thailand coast. Officials blame a faulty water pump.

Wan't you prototype was it Owl?????????????

[owl sees all]

13 minutes ago, sotonowl said:

Wan't you prototype was it Owl?????????????

No Owl.

But I've realised that I was successful with my project. Let me elaborate. Once I had the main tank cave in, it was the biz.  If I'd had a cylinder that didn't cave in, I would have got the motion I desired. A glass one could be ideal.

Remember those wine demi-johns of yesteryear? Could be! I'm still looking.

[owl sees all]

On 11/19/2019 at 11:10 PM, bannork said:

If you're anywhere north of Nong Khai you're in Laos!

Or in the drink.

[roo860]

9 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Owl Log  - 12-02-2023 - Sunday afternoon

 

Finally got away to Udon on Thursday. Stopped off at the Sum Sao Buddha for 30 minutes. They are steaming ahead with the build. And the front section has also been clarified. Before there was lots of plastic bunting everywhere.

Left the Buddha, and went down the back roads to Udon. Found a nice pond and a horse farm. Last stop was at a bit of land for sale on the outskirts of the city.

 

Pond Buddha still under construction.

 

 

In the front area things looked good.

 

 

Bunting nearly gone.

 

 

Some bunting still up high, but not at throat height like last time I visited.

 

 

Next, it was through to the back, where the action was.

 

 

 

 

Underneath there was more work; but the painters were off for a bit of grub.

 

 

Nice tiling.

 

 

Then it was upstairs for a butchers.

 

 

 

Buddhas in place but not yet ready for the elements. Probably not yet painted.

 

On me way out, I saw some lovely boat hand carvings.

 

 

This place is the nuts. I'm sure it will have thousands of visitors in the future. I'll be back in 90 days.

 

I was on me way.

 

Next thing that caught my eye was a nice pond.

 

 

Don't often see horses in Isaan.

 

 

Some land for sale.

 

 

Wouldn't normally stop to take a pic of a 'for-sale' sign, but I was taken by the house; which I reckon was included.

 

 

Into Udon. Sorted out the business in just a couple of minutes. Lady pointed out, that I would need to get my passport renewed this year. Last time is was very easy with IPS; out of Hong Kong if I can recall.. Now it has all changed. I'll consult the passport threads in AN.

 

Went round the corner to see a relative, who lives close to the railway station. Before I had gotten out of the pick-up I had a call from Mildred. "Come pick me up Daddy. I finish early." It was 13-15 and I was a fair way from Ban Dung. "OK dear. But I'll not be with you until about two thirty."  I was on my way. Didn't get too far along the Sakon Nakhon road, when just past the Chinese sector, I spotted 'Cheese to meat you'. The shop is located on one of the best sections of road in Udon. Big wide road, plenty of stopping space. Pulled over.

 

Went straight to the fridge and there was a big chunk of 'Gouda'. 500 baht a kilo. 735 baht all told. In and out of the shop in just two minutes. Young lady behind the counter spoke really good English.

 

 

Ban Dung next stop.

 

Waited for her in the arranged place. Watched an exciting games of 'boules'.

 

 

Mildred located; we were off home. But there was still snapping to be done.

 

A new shop on the main drag. Very nice. "Watch the hole love."

 

 

A couple of big elephants caught my eye.

 

 

And another hiding in the back.

 

 

Road repairs. Or to be more accurate road enhancements.

 

All those beautiful trees gone.

 

 

Main machine.

 

 

Some plank cutting at the village. It's interesting to watch. The cutter studies the log and decides what way is gonna get the best yield.

 

 

The edges are trimmed. Lady keeping a close eye on things. Making sure he is doing it good.

 

 

 

Get rid of the edge bit; the bark.

 

 

 

 

Then the main cutting begins.

 

 

 

 

Soon have enough to build a nice village house.

 

 

 

Took the doggies - Robert and Oscar - to the farm yesterday.

 

 

 

Oscar is the swimmer. Robert the swim coach.

 

 

 

Youngsters off to the local school.

 

 

Monks make their rounds.

 

 

What a beauty?!

 

 

Big procession in Ban Dung last week.

 

 

Some enthusiastic marching and exquisite dancing.

 

 

Do a Owl Log special in the week. Got some cracking vids.

 

Just to finish off; a pic from the past. What is that shirt?

 

 

Mildred went on her big walk with the class - and her red sick - on Thursday. She said it was all around the salt marshes to the north of Ban Dung. She passed the test. Think it was a fitness thing. The walk was in the morning, and she was free to leave at about one. Was in Udon when she phoned me. Picked her up at two-forty. A lot a of driving Thursday; about 160km. And she had the next day off. Recovery day for the teachers!!

 

footy round-up.

Lots of draws in the EPL.

Burnley, and Blades, steam on in the Championship. 29k to see Tractor boys draw with the Owls. Orient open up a decent gap in their division. Champs League in a couple of years for sure.

Leeds doing well since sacking their manager; not been beat yet. Toffees too. Fulham win again. Foxes hit 4 for the second time in a week. Spurs this time.

 

World focus.

Big news is Seymour Herch's report on his 'substack' about the destroyed gas pipelines.

Another balloon!. Shot down early this one; over Canada.

Liz Truss in England making noises. A comeback?

Some US General reckons there will be trouble between US and China before 2025.

Death toll mounts in Syria and Turkey. Very sad. Over 30,000 dead and still many, many missing.

 

I've got a theory about these balloons. How much does it cost to make one and get it in the air? Not cheap, I reckon about 4 million Baht (100k squids or 130k USD). Let them go up; catch the 'jet stream', and watch with interest as missiles, at 200 USD a pop, are fired at them. Not to mention the fuel for a dozen jets.

Notice that the US is transferring the factories making the chips from Taiwan to the US. Is something a-foot?

 

Local news.

Floating pirate restaurant sinks off Thailand coast. Officials blame a faulty water pump.

Weather change in north-east. Temperatures expected to go well into the 30s this week. Little fires along the sois at an end now.

 

These doggies are greedy pigs. When is a puppy officially a young dog? Robert is 15 weeks old and Oscar 13 weeks. Bought 34 tins of food and 26 kg of biscuit in Big C last visit. Nearly gone.

 

Postponed the urine challenge indefinitely. Yielding good results; but I keep forgetting.

 

Done a bit of running at the farm yesterday. Didn't find it easy. Planned to do 10 hard sprints, but gave up after 3.

 

The Mekongs are showing again, after that dodgy spell. They are coming for food good now.

 

I've given up on Ting the Hat Lady. I'll just go into her shop for reishi strips. No other reason. Maybe get a new hat.

 

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

 

A mid-day snack has just arrived.

 

 

Cheese to eat you. Yum yum.

 

Dogs looking good!!!!!