Diary of a farang in Isaan

[owl sees all]

2 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

There’s also a switch to “ view signature “ on and off which I didn’t realise existed, now see a few posters have a signature !

Can't cram too much tech into my brain for the mo'

 

Every time you post on the thread Andy, I'm reminded of that lass from Leeds. Maybe that's where I went wrong!

[Andrew Dwyer]

4 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Can't cram too much tech into my brain for the mo'

 

Every time you post on the thread Andy, I'm reminded of that lass from Leeds. Maybe that's where I went wrong!

Yup, she could have been your true soul mate and with a view of Elland Road as well !!, although that’s not much of a plus these days ????

[chickenslegs]

50 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Can't cram too much tech into my brain for the mo'

 

Every time you post on the thread Andy, I'm reminded of that lass from Leeds. Maybe that's where I went wrong!

 

I prefer your previous signature Owl. Witty, cheerful, and optimistic is how I imagine you.

 

Did you know that your new signature now appears in all your previous posts, right back to the start of this great topic of yours and beyond.  

 

 

[owl sees all]

3 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yup, she could have been your true soul mate and with a view of Elland Road as well !!, although that’s not much of a plus these days ????

I don't even know if she was a Peacock supporter. Never asked her.

 

For some reason or t'other I had more pressing things on my mind when i was with her.

 

Straight back; like Burnley. Just three weeks before the off.  Gonna be some big crowds in the championship next season.

[owl sees all]

3 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 

I prefer your previous signature Owl. Witty, cheerful, and optimistic is how I imagine you.

 

Did you know that your new signature now appears in all your previous posts, right back to the start of this great topic of yours and beyond.  

 

 

Thanks for that CL.

 

If I feel more peaceful during the next few years, I'll change it to something more upbeat. Now I know how to do it.

[Andrew Dwyer]

16 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

I don't even know if she was a Peacock supporter. Never asked her.

 

For some reason or t'other I had more pressing things on my mind when i was with her.

 

Straight back; like Burnley. Just three weeks before the off.  Gonna be some big crowds in the championship next season.

Yup, I have some Peacock fan friends back home and although disappointed at the Premier failure are looking forwards to some good games in the championship but they need a good manager first. That Big Sam fiasco was as absurd as the PM race here !!

The alternatives aren’t so great, Bradford City or Park Avenue !!

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 16-07-2023 - Sunday afternoon

 

Another week of reflection. What will happen to the Squanderosa? The longer it takes me to make a decision, the worse it will be. But life has to go on and the rice planting got underway on Wednesday.

 

Firstly the tractor put the discs on and plowed away.

 

 

Next job was to flood the paddies to get the tractor back in with the rotivator attached.

 

Got a couple of the pumps out of the water-tank store.

 

Couldn't get the 3 incher to go.

 

 

Tried the smaller one. Success! Second pull. That's after a year in the store.

 

 

But using the smaller one, it was gonna take an eternity. So it was decided to get the big one fixed. BeeApp took the pump to the shop, and half hour later it was good to go. Just 100 baht.

 

He pumped overnight so no pics from me on this stage. Pond went down about half metre.

 

 

  Then the tractor got involved early and the ladies started their planting. All done by 4 in the afternoon.

 

 

If we don't get rain there will be another pumping. From pond two next time. See how we go in about 10 days time.

 

 

While we were sorting out the pumps, BeeApp spotted our old chain-saw. I hadn't used it for a few years. Gave it to him.

 

 

All told it cost 5,500 baht to plant the rice. That includes the tractor, the ladies, the rice, fuel and 500 baht extra I gave to the main man BeeApp.

 

Might have to pump more water. Who knows what the rain-gods have in store for us? At harvest, I expect another out lay of 3/4k, so about 9/10 k all in. Now, will we ever get the money back? Need 40 sacks to break even. No problem?!?! Isaan optimism!

 

Pond 5 is best part covered with lilies. Only a few pla nin in there to enjoy the plants. Not yet been able to get the pink/white pla dook. Mildred is off school on Thursday, and that is market day at Phibun Rak. A small town about 17k from us. They have a fish stall. Get about 50 or so; if we can!

 

 

I was mooching about in the second bedroom; that is mostly full of Nan's old stuff and junk/toot. I found some old paintings from way back. I think they must have been done in late 2019. Daughter Melsy was visiting at that time, and if I can recall, she wanted to take a couple of her smaller paintings back to England.  Mildred got together a selection. Must have forgot these three.

 

I think the sky pic is just great.

 

 

 

Moon not the shape that we know.

 

 

Mildred would have been 9/10 years old then.

 

 

Put some rice in the pick-up. A bit of a calamity. I saw the hole, but didn't notice the hold had come off. Mrs Owl not best pleased.

 

 

Came back from the farm in the week to find a very busy soi. The kids like it because it is trash free.

 

 

Finally got round to fixing the busted seetee.

 

 

Had a job getting the springs back in place. But a bit of rope and string sorted it. Then it was time to sew up.

 

 

One side done. Reminded me of my time in Special Fores in West Africa. Had to sew up wounds using cactus spikes and camel hair.

 

 

All done. A fine bit of craftsmanship.

 

 

Mildred gave it a test when she came home from school. Everything good so far.

 

 

The Mrs had a little moan. Said I should have used black twine. If I can be bothered, I'll get out a black marker pen. I'd better be bothered if I want me cuppa Rosie. Get Mildred to do it for me.

 

Declan Rice has finally gone to Arsenal. 105 million squids. Did The Irons need the dosh? Or did Rice fancy going to a bigger club? Traitor comes to mind. And as for WHU. Boo!!

 

Footy starts up in three weeks. The Championship looks very exciting to me. Is there a another Luton Town ready to move on up? And speaking of Luton. At least their first home match has been postponed. Think they could be playing their first five games away.

 

Novak later today at Wimbledon. I'm rooting for him.

 

Only two days for Mildred at school this week. A revising week for her. And she is revising;; allegedly!!!!

 

Some rain last night. Not nearly enough. but still welcome.

 

Fallon Sherrock got a nine-darter in a match last month. Not well publicised. Should have been up there with women's great sporting achievements IMO.

 

And while we are talking women. A Thai lady scored a 147. And it was filmed. These are the things that should be celebrated; not the winner of some Dutch beauty contest

 

Cricket starts up again on Thursday. And the swimming on the 23rd of this month.

 

Still keeping with my diet. And the bathroom yoga is starting to yield results.

 

The US sending cluster bombs o Ukraine. When I was in Laos a few years back, a guy told me that some are still exploding occasionally. About 50 years after they were dropped. Not good that.

 

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

 

And take care out there.

 

[DJ54]

Big Owl great find on the old paintings… enjoy the week… supposed to have rain …. But some supposed to are really ain’t 

[owl sees all]

2 hours ago, DJ54 said:

Big Owl great find on the old paintings… enjoy the week… supposed to have rain …. But some supposed to are really ain’t 

Thanks DJ!

 

Gradually putting her work on the wall. Have mounted 15 paintings so far, but have run out of board for the present. Three more not in the pic. Don't like these ones. The way they are mounted; not the art.

 

Pic taken just now at 19-30. Dingy, so not good quality.

 

 

Plenty of rain in South Korea. Serious flooding.

 

I knew an Indian lady at Uni, who told me in her part of India (before moving to England), every house in the village had a small boat, or a raft, tied up at the back of the house.. The rafts were bamboo platforms with 20 litre plastic drums underneath. Flooded that often in their parts. Not that the houses got swamped as they were built a couple of metre up on posts. But the water would hang about for days and the crafts got them about.

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

10 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Thanks DJ!

 

Gradually putting her work on the wall. Have mounted 15 paintings so far, but have run out of board for the present. Three more not in the pic. Don't like these ones. The way they are mounted; not the art.

 

Pic taken just now at 19-30. Dingy, so not good quality.

 

 

Plenty of rain in South Korea. Serious flooding.

 

I knew an Indian lady at Uni, who told me in her part of India (before moving to England), every house in the village had a small boat, or a raft, tied up at the back of the house.. The rafts were bamboo platforms with 20 litre plastic drums underneath. Flooded that often in their parts. Not that the houses got swamped as they were built a couple of metre up on posts. But the water would hang about for days and the crafts got them about.

 

Here in Ayutthaya, the rainfall is not excessive but the danger comes from the river, actually 2 rivers as here is where the Chao Phraya and Pasak converge heading down to BKK. The flooding here mainly comes from the dams releasing water upstream, combined with the rain, and bursting the banks.

Of course it’s the poor , building on the cheap low lying land who suffer the most.

When we see trucks driving round selling those plastic moulded flat bottom boats, most commonly blue , we know things are going to get damp real quick !!

[owl sees all]

3 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Here in Ayutthaya, the rainfall is not excessive but the danger comes from the river, actually 2 rivers as here is where the Chao Phraya and Pasak converge heading down to BKK. The flooding here mainly comes from the dams releasing water upstream, combined with the rain, and bursting the banks.

Of course it’s the poor , building on the cheap low lying land who suffer the most.

When we see trucks driving round selling those plastic moulded flat bottom boats, most commonly blue , we know things are going to get damp real quick !!

Let the water run down to BKK. It's doomed anyway. Will be uninhabitable in just a few decades. And if Miss Greta is correct; maybe by 2040.

 

I recall the big flood during Yinluck's reign. One of the reasons used to out her.

 

The only hope for BKK is a causeway from Pattaya to Hua Hin. Drain it - of cause making sure those Chinese subs are not in that part - and when the sea rises, BKK will be safe.

[Andrew Dwyer]

17 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Let the water run down to BKK. It's doomed anyway. Will be uninhabitable in just a decades. And if Miss Greta is correct; maybe by 2040.

 

I recall the big flood during Yinluck's reign. One of the reasons used to out her.

 

The only hope for BKK is a causeway from Pattaya to Hua Hin. Drain it - of cause making sure those Chinese subs are not in that part - and when the sea rises, BKK will be safe.

Actually having water related issues of a different kind now Owl.

Had 5 days without city water, on day 3 a truck came and gave us around 500 litres.

Now the water pressure is so low it cannot make it up to the tank !!, tried a hosepipe from the meter straight to the tank ( more direct route, my underground pipe has a few 90° elbows in it) but no joy !

Anything above waist height and it runs out of steam/water !!, unless we siphon it into some plastic dustbins for showering.

 

 The water situation was never great here but now I feel like we have gone back 50 years overnight.

 

I hear Phuket has been rationing water recently, I wonder if the same is happening here.

Nobody seems to know what is happening, moobahn head honcho is about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.

[HighPriority]

Lack of access to water brings a very rapid realisation of the fragility of our lives and  lifestyle Andy, I'm sure they'll get it sorted for you soon though.

 

I was just reading an article on Australian ABC about what some major AI developers are calling (p)Doom, the likelihood of AI either being turned against us by others or itself...

Turn off resources like water, food production/supply, electricity etc and we are all back in the stone age...

 

[owl sees all]

 

3 hours ago, HighPriority said:

Lack of access to water brings a very rapid realisation of the fragility of our lives and  lifestyle Andy, I'm sure they'll get it sorted for you soon though.

 

I was just reading an article on Australian ABC about what some major AI developers are calling (p)Doom, the likelihood of AI either being turned against us by others or itself...

Turn off resources like water, food production/supply, electricity etc and we are all back in the stone age...

 

Indeed!

 

What is progress? Great inventions down the years give us progress; or do they?

 

Clubs.

Spears.

The wheel.

Ability to create fire.

Bow and arrow/crossbow.

Glass.

Sewerage systems.

Water and leccy infrastructure (reservoirs and power stations).

The hand gun.

Motor car.

Aircraft.

Submarines.

Atom bomb.

Television.

Computers

Mobile phones.

 

Lots of others. They possibly make our lives more convenient, but do they make us happier?

We appear to have cast aside nature for a superior life. The ability to live as our ancestors did has been lost.

 

My mate once said the worst thing ever in progress, was the day starting handles were no longer necessary on cars. We all laughed at that, but some of these leccy car owners keep a small generator in the back (or front), just in case.

 

We are at the mercy of progress.

 

[GarryP]

On 7/17/2023 at 9:58 AM, Andrew Dwyer said:

Actually having water related issues of a different kind now Owl.

Had 5 days without city water, on day 3 a truck came and gave us around 500 litres.

Now the water pressure is so low it cannot make it up to the tank !!, tried a hosepipe from the meter straight to the tank ( more direct route, my underground pipe has a few 90° elbows in it) but no joy !

Anything above waist height and it runs out of steam/water !!, unless we siphon it into some plastic dustbins for showering.

 

 The water situation was never great here but now I feel like we have gone back 50 years overnight.

 

I hear Phuket has been rationing water recently, I wonder if the same is happening here.

Nobody seems to know what is happening, moobahn head honcho is about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.

A few days ago the water supply was turned off in my new home town for bout 12 hours (they were suppposedly fixing something). When it came back on it stank like buffalo <deleted> and even now it still does not smell good. Sister in law delivered a tank of water drawn from her borehole (not a double entendre) and we are using that at the moment. 

 

The local market traders and many others are very unhapppy with the situation and signed a petition complaining about the situation. Appararently the local district office has run out of chlorine and has also run out of budget to buy more. They must have done something else to to cause the problem. 

 

I was contemplating having a borehole drilled when I moved up here but based on info provided by family, didn't think it would be necessary. Changed my mind now but will need to wait until next march or April.  

[Andrew Dwyer]

50 minutes ago, GarryP said:

A few days ago the water supply was turned off in my new home town for bout 12 hours (they were suppposedly fixing something). When it came back on it stank like buffalo <deleted> and even now it still does not smell good. Sister in law delivered a tank of water drawn from her borehole (not a double entendre) and we are using that at the moment. 

 

The local market traders and many others are very unhapppy with the situation and signed a petition complaining about the situation. Appararently the local district office has run out of chlorine and has also run out of budget to buy more. They must have done something else to to cause the problem. 

 

I was contemplating having a borehole drilled when I moved up here but based on info provided by family, didn't think it would be necessary. Changed my mind now but will need to wait until next march or April.  

Yup, mine has been steadily going downhill since we moved in 5 years ago, with the water supply being reduced drastically at the weekends.

I recently upgraded my storage from 700 to 1500 litres but the problem now is such a low pressure it cannot get up into the tank !!

200 houses affected.

 The prime suspect is a new moobahn being constructed nearby .

[chickenslegs]

11 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yup, mine has been steadily going downhill since we moved in 5 years ago, with the water supply being reduced drastically at the weekends.

I recently upgraded my storage from 700 to 1500 litres but the problem now is such a low pressure it cannot get up into the tank !!

200 houses affected.

 The prime suspect is a new moobahn being constructed nearby .

We decided on underground tanks for the same reason. Even when the mains water is just a trickle, the tanks at least get topped up overnight. Cleaning the tanks, however, is a pain in the <deleted>.

 

[owl sees all]

Must say that the water flow and quality in the village is better than when I arrived 15 years ago. We did get a 'no-water' spell for a couple of hours yesterday, but that was a rarity nowadays.

 

We use water in the kitchen and bathroom. And water the outside plants. This year to wash the dogs. Also odd reasons; like washing out the back of the pick-up. But that's only 1% of the total water consumption. Certainly don't drink it!!

 

Water bill last month was 110 baht. A bargain!!

 

Mildred has finished for the day. I'm off to pick her up soon. Will meet her at the back gate at 14-00.

[owl sees all]

Optus Stadium, Perth, Australia

Cockerels 2 - Irons 3

Nearly 50,000 in the ground.

[pickettywitch]

On 7/12/2023 at 9:38 PM, owl sees all said:

Thanks for that bro'. Definitely don't want a 'yak yak' driving in Ban Dung.

 

At least back in the village I can drift off to the farm and relax.

Im in the village and the farms here _ and you at 75 still bloody climbing ladders _ how many expats regret that after slipping!

[pickettywitch]

On 7/18/2023 at 11:13 AM, GarryP said:

A few days ago the water supply was turned off in my new home town for bout 12 hours (they were suppposedly fixing something). When it came back on it stank like buffalo <deleted> and even now it still does not smell good. Sister in law delivered a tank of water drawn from her borehole (not a double entendre) and we are using that at the moment. 

 

The local market traders and many others are very unhapppy with the situation and signed a petition complaining about the situation. Appararently the local district office has run out of chlorine and has also run out of budget to buy more. They must have done something else to to cause the problem. 

 

I was contemplating having a borehole drilled when I moved up here but based on info provided by family, didn't think it would be necessary. Changed my mind now but will need to wait until next march or April.  

we installed a borehole-pump 2 panels we pump into the fish pond all the land and the house tank so now no gov water cost 26k so well worth it ????

[HighPriority]

6 hours ago, pickettywitch said:

Im in the village and the farms here _ and you at 75 still bloody climbing ladders _ how many expats regret that after slipping!

Expecting an old owl to not climb ladders is like expecting him to not watch that round ball game…

Just maintain 3 points of contact please Owl. 

[owl sees all]

8 hours ago, pickettywitch said:

Im in the village and the farms here _ and you at 75 still bloody climbing ladd.ers _ how many expats regret that after slipping!

You are hinting that I shouldn't climb up on the roofs via the ladder?! You are probably right there PW.

 

'Have to be careful'; said the actress to the bishop.

[owl sees all]

8 hours ago, pickettywitch said:

we installed a borehole-pump 2 panels we pump into the fish pond all the land and the house tank so now no gov water cost 26k so well worth it ????

You done well with that PW. If I have any dosh left at the end of October, I'll do the same.

[owl sees all]

2 hours ago, HighPriority said:

Expecting an old owl to not climb ladders is like expecting him to not watch that round ball game…

Just maintain 3 points of contact please Owl. 

Not just the round ball game HP. I just love swimming. And darts. And snooker. And chess

 

Not so keen on rugby, or women's footy and cricket. And definitely don't like seeing ladies box. But I do like ladies athletics and swimming. And beach volleyball; don't we all!!.

 

Two daughters toured Canada with an English swim squad. One was with England youth and t'other England south. One was also u/23 world triathlon champion. Took the title in NYC. She now teaches sport science at Uni.

 

Three points of contact!! In Thailand? You are 'avin' a laff. A local farang, who I knew, got his wife to steady the bottom of the ladder wile he trimmed a tree with a bow-saw.  She went off for some somtam, and left the poor sod on the rickety thing. Unfortunately he is passed now.

[pickettywitch]

On 7/20/2023 at 10:14 AM, owl sees all said:

Not just the round ball game HP. I just love swimming. And darts. And snooker. And chess

 

Not so keen on rugby, or women's footy and cricket. And definitely don't like seeing ladies box. But I do like ladies athletics and swimming. And beach volleyball; don't we all!!.

 

Two daughters toured Canada with an English swim squad. One was with England youth and t'other England south. One was also u/23 world triathlon champion. Took the title in NYC. She now teaches sport science at Uni.

 

Three points of contact!! In Thailand? You are 'avin' a laff. A local farang, who I knew, got his wife to steady the bottom of the ladder wile he trimmed a tree with a bow-saw.  She went off for some somtam, and left the poor sod on the rickety thing. Unfortunately he is passed now.

YES! a can well believe that LOL

[owl sees all]

 

Owl Log -23-07-23 - Sunday afternoon

 

Been raining a bit this last week. Should be more water in the rice locks than there is. BeeApp thinks the buddha farm is letting the water run through the pipes. He has been blocking them up, but somehow they become unblocked. So bought a sack of cement this morning. He is gonna cement them shut. Have two permanent overflows; one into pond one and t'other under the road into the palm farm. He reckons that's enough.  do too.

 

Went to Phibun Rak market last Thursday afternoon. I like this market, but it has changed from what I remember it a few years back. Got there too early really. Vendors still setting up. Next time about 5ish.

The main aim; to get Mildred 100 pink catfish. Unfortunately the lady wasn't there. Very good for veg and fruit. Not so much in the way of clothing and tools; as it used to be. Bought a pair of specs. Rated minus 1. Very nice for just 100 baht.

 

There is a big buddha just across the road from the market. I ventured in and took a few pics. Next Owl Log for those.

 

 

I was tempted!! But with my special diet on the go, I declined.

 

 

Mildred finished early on Tuesday. Picked her up from school and we had a little adventure like we used to. On the road out north from Ban Dung there is a place that time forgot. We paid a visit. Couldn't have done it if the Mrs had been with us.

 

 

The guy from next door came over to greet us. We asked how much for the roo. A bit expensive at 1000 baht. But we had a look around.

 

 

The owner had gone off to be a monk somewhere. That was three years ago.

 

 

There was a big insect cage. And also some iguanas hiding among the foliage. A very nice place for a once in a while visit.

 

 

Kangaroo-less we headed back to town.

 

Are they filling in the salt ponds. At least some of them.

 

 

Have a new concrete plant close by. Something is going on!

 

 

Mildred's school block is racing ahead.

 

 

Will be ready for next year?

 

 

Found my favourite man in Ban Dung. Gave him 100 baht for his efforts.

 

 

A bit of a calamity at a farm on the way to the village.

 

A tractor had got itself stuck in the mud. Guy came to the rescue with his trusty steed. Unfortunately the mud took his one prisoner too. Not to worry. another was there in the blink of an eye. Soon there were three stuck. The call went out for one more.

 

It was almost dark when I came past.

 

 

Yesterday I stopped the pick-up to do a pic or two. A buffalo wanted to say 'hi'.

 

 

Knocked a corner tile off the wall while sorting out the settee.

 

 

No problem. Have to be a master of the trivial here. There is always something to be fixed or secured.

 

 

Saw a beautifully painted bus in Ban Dung. Mildred reckons it is covered in stickers and not painted. Have a closer look next time. But eye-catching all the same.

 

 

Our village wat is nearing completion. Just a bit of entrance walkway to be done. And a touch more painting.

 

 

The word on the street is that the Buddha wants people to donate their fish. I could give one or two of our big mekongs I guess.

 

There was a thread, on AN, in the week about the milk shortage in Thailand. In Big C on Friday they seemed to have a fair bit on the shelves. But it got me thinking about the poor cows.. To keep the cow producing milk their calf is taken away at birth, and that keeps mum producing indefinitely. Some cows cry and some get suicidal. The calf probably goes off to some research lab. What could I do to help rectify this? I don't drink milk. But I do eat cheese.

 

 

So in support of the poor cow, the 2kg block of Cheddar, that I'm half way through at the mo', will be my last. Got to have principles in life!

 

Have 17 of Mildred's paintings/drawings on the wall of the gallery now.

 

 

That part is full up. There is another area, probably OK for another 8 or so. Then Mrs Owl will have to take down her buddha stuff. Need some luck there!

 

 

Mildred's latest bit of art. Called 50/50. About a girl that can't make up her mind what she wants to be. A farmer or a glamourpuss.

 

 

www.mildredart.com

 

Cricket will be underway in the 4th test, last day, in Manchester later. Don't normally mind who wins of late. But after seeing that the Ozzies were morally bankrupt of fair-play at Lords; I'm going with England (and Wales).

 

Is that Lewis Hamilton the biggest moaner in the history of moaners? Hope his engine conks out.

 

What an opener to the footy season. No! Not that community shield nonsense. But on Friday evening promoted Owls host relegated
Saints. What a start!! Another good match-up is Sunderland v Ipswich later.

 

Three local teams to Dagenham Dock, all have away matches in the first qualifying round of the FA cup; Ilford, Romford and Barking. I used to play footy on Barking's ground in Mayesbrook Park, back in the day, before being developed as it is today. They played for years at Vicarage Field in Barking Town.

 

Fantastic final awaits in the darts in Blackpool. And David Popovici goes in the 200m and 100m in Japan in the week. lots to look forward to. And the golf!

 

Tension in the Thai parliament. all will be sorted out this week.

 

This is not proper 'wet season' rain. Most of it falls at night. Traditionally is should start at 13-00 and continue through to dark. Climate change is here.

 

Very poor nut harvest to come. Drove through the farm in the week and only saw a handful of trees bearing any fruit.

 

Leccy was a new high this time. 2,450 baht. A jump up of 400 baht on last month. Not doing anything different, or using anything new. Strange!

 

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

 

Leave you with lovely Isaan skies.

 

 

[HighPriority]

The real problem is that the 4th best keeper in the country, the one who plays in the test team, not only struggles to catch but can’t throw accurately either…

????

Take that monsieur Owl

???? 

[sotonowl]

4 hours ago, owl sees all said:

About a girl that can't make up her mind what she wants to be.

I thought that was going to be she couldn't make up her mind whether she wanted to be a boy or a girl.

[owl sees all]

33 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

The real problem is that the 4th best keeper in the country, the one who plays in the test team, not only struggles to catch but can’t throw accurately either…

????

Take that monsieur Owl

????

I thought the same HP. I think he meant to roll the ball to the next bowler, or his captain, but it hit the stumps instead.

 

Never mind. It's only a ball game. I have many relatives in Oz. Most of them in NSW. If they think they are getting a Christmas card (albeit an ecard) they can forget it.

 

I like swimming and the Ozzies have had some of the greatest of all. Dawn, Grant Hackett, Glen Housman,,,, I could go on ,,,. the Thorpedo and Kieren Perkins.

 

As for their cricketers! They have produced some of the finest ever cricketers.

 

But a bit lacking in chess. Can't name any of note.