Diary of a farang in Isaan

[pickettywitch]

36 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Make you right there PW. But I like the life here. It has its up, and has its downs, but I'm committed to Thailand, and Isaan particularly. Now, I'd only go back to England for an emergency. Or if I got kicked out.

 

Just about to have a cheese sarnie with tommies. Lovely!

 

Anyway, take care out there; where ever you are.

Yes Al you take care matie I wouldn't say you was looking great if your happy here then luck be on your side matie - Now no one knows ridgebacks better than us - its rare that he'd change his personally just like that he's a wander dog and always has been like his brother Primetime whom we visit regularly - Im hoping he's still with us or I pop in to see him before our new batch arrive th end of the month : )

[Robert Paulson]

I’ve got some avocado trees going too. Don’t have much hope. Idk how you guys stay out there long term. Two weeks and I’m pulling my hair out.

[owl sees all]

12 hours ago, pickettywitch said:

Yes Al you take care matie I wouldn't say you was looking great if your happy here then luck be on your side matie - Now no one knows ridgebacks better than us - its rare that he'd change his personally just like that he's a wander dog and always has been like his brother Primetime whom we visit regularly - Im hoping he's still with us or I pop in to see him before our new batch arrive th end of the month : )

Dogs mature just like everything else. Oscar is still the enforcer, but he is a little calmer than before. He is a fatty though. Robert is still his exuberant self.

 

 

 

 

[owl sees all]

12 hours ago, Robert Paulson said:

I’ve got some avocado trees going too. Don’t have much hope. Idk how you guys stay out there long term. Two weeks and I’m pulling my hair out.

 

I have 4 avocados trees grown from seed. I'll put a pic up later.

 

When I'm at the farm, I look around at the sheer beauty of nature. I see lizards, birds, butterflies and many other nature wonders. Love the fish. Love nature. Love life.

 

It's not all honey and cheese though. But overall, Isaan is probably the best place to be in the world. Perhaps maybe second to Dagenham; behind the power station, near the dock. Where one can pass away hours throwing stones at the bottles bobbing up and down in the Thames.

[pickettywitch]

54 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Dogs mature just like everything else. Oscar is still the enforcer, but he is a little calmer than before. He is a fatty though. Robert is still his exuberant self.

 

They look a bit younger there - I'll be calling in too see him - Ya can't teach a old dog new tricks - I'll bring my own CHEESE ! LOL

 

 

[HighPriority]

3 hours ago, owl sees all said:

 

I have 4 avocados trees grown from seed. I'll put a pic up later.

 

When I'm at the farm, I look around at the sheer beauty of nature. I see lizards, birds, butterflies and many other nature wonders. Love the fish. Love nature. Love life.

 

It's not all honey and cheese though. But overall, Isaan is probably the best place to be in the world. Perhaps maybe second to Dagenham; behind the power station, near the dock. Where one can pass away hours throwing stones at the bottles bobbing up and down in the Thames.

Plastic bottles in Thailand just aren’t the same… 😎

[owl sees all]

5 hours ago, HighPriority said:

Plastic bottles in Thailand just aren’t the same… 😎

Bang on the money there HP. Even if yer got a direct hit they wouldn't break or sink. Every day  go down the soi keeping it free from trash. Plenty of bottles.

[owl sees all]

 

It's Monday the 12th of February and this is weekly Owl Log.

 

We didn't get to do the solar system as planned on Sunday. Been put off 'til Saturday next. Mildred came home from the school camp on Saturday afternoon. When home, she went straight to bed, and slept for about 4 hours. Was still tired on Sunday, so we put off the construction. She reckons she only had 4/5 hours sleep a night while she was away. But!! Said she enjoyed the experience.

 

 

Mildred reckoned there were getting on for 100 tents in the football field areas.

 

Plenty of fun after dark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The postponement of solar system day, will give me chance to do more at the house, so there will be less to do on the day. With no leccy, I've been bolting and screwing everything down. Cross sections are in, and the down-members have got their mountings fixed, but not yet bolted in place. Might do that this afternoon.

 

 

 

Biggest challenge was keeping everything square. Could have used the 3, 4, 5 Pythagoras ticket, but decided to lay a board on top for guidance. a bit breezy, but I managed.

 

 

Bought the last couple of odd and sods from Daisha. Also a small step ladder.

 

 

 

Micky and Mini giving a warm welcome to Daisha visitors.

 

 

The twins enjoying an ice-cream.

 

 

The demolition is fully completed.  What's it gonna be? A new house surely!

 

 

The woodcutter was at it for a couple of days last week.

 

 

Some long planks there.

 

 

Dawn still been slow to arrive in the mornings. Views taken while waiting for Mildred's bus.

 

Looking east.

 

 

And north a bit later on. That's Robert having a sniff around.

 

 

Found a couple of pics taken on the 4th. At the roadside, outside the market.

 

 

 

 

Since I've been doing the solar, I've noticed new things. It's a bit like getting a different car, you then see so many, of the same make and colour, about.

 

This one has metal posts. Terrible pic.

 

 

The one on the left is mounted on rings.

 

 

Paid another visit to Ban Dung's north end 7/11. Had a bit of food for them. Got some nice pics.

 

That fish is sometimes called 'butterfly' or 'long-fin' koi.

 

 

+++++

 

The Owls win against Brum 2-0. Irons lose 0-6 at home. Ivory Coast win the African Nations Cup. City, Gunners and Pool march on. Top two in the championship both win; Foxes and Saints.

 

The weather was changing from chilly to warm, then it changed back to chilly for a couple of days.

 

As soon as I've posted the weekly log, I'll get started on some metal-work.

 

My left thumb is in the wars. Smashed it at the farm two weeks ago, and cut it through to the bone, with the grinder, on Friday. I had attached a metal cutter to the grinder, and it jumped up. Was gonna stitch it up, but couldn't find a curvy needle. Gave it the 'Special Forces' treatment instead. Mrs Owl was moaning about the mess on the floor tiles. Will be OK in a couple more days. Should have been more careful. Will be in future. Famous last words,

 

 

Had to fix up a couple of things over the weekend. Put in a new shower unit. Bought a sharp; 2k baht.

 

 

Sorted out broken tiles in the sink.

The tiles break cause Mrs Owl is a bit heavy on the cutting board. Bit of neat cement sorted it last night. Didn't use the sink for 8 hours after; to allow for a good curing.

 

 

Yet another death in the village. No! Not me. A chap of about 60. That's three in two weeks.

 

Only one thing left to say. Bye y'all.

 

+++++

 

Mildred's latest.

 

 

www.mildredart.com

 

 

[HighPriority]

Two hands on the grinder and covered footwear please Mr Owl !

 

Im sorry but I don’t understand what the small elevated tanks are for ?

[owl sees all]

24 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Two hands on the grinder and covered footwear please Mr Owl !

 

I'm sorry but I don’t understand what the small elevated tanks are for ?

Absolutely right. No hand on the grinder, but did have two on the metal.

 

Those small tanks are just to store water when there is no sun. Not like that monster I have spotted.

 

 

[HighPriority]

5 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Absolutely right. No hand on the grinder, but did have two on the metal.

 

Those small tanks are just to store water when there is no sun. Not like that monster I have spotted.

 

 

Quite a fearsome monster indeed !

Hide your beer !!

🤣

 

But those tanks are only 200-300 liters ?

I thought the water was for irrigation, not your morning rosie… 😎

[owl sees all]

16 hours ago, HighPriority said:

Quite a fearsome monster indeed !

Hide your beer !!

🤣

 

But those tanks are only 200-300 liters ?

I thought the water was for irrigation, not your morning rosie… 😎

Often those tanks have a sensor in them to stop the solar pump working when they are full. Turn on the tap, the water goes down, and the pump starts back up.

 

Most of these irrigation systems are very low pressure. Just need a steady flow. I'll be doing it later this month.

[owl sees all]

The sun is out on this beautiful Sunday morning. This is the weekly Owl Log.

 

Oh dear! Still not started the solar cell construction. Have done as much as I'm able at the mo. Waiting for the cell connectors. New date for the action to commence is Saturday 24th. Then assuming that everything goes OK; it's sort out the pipes for palm watering.

 

 

No welding anywhere. Everything bolted on.

 

 

Have put on all the steel members. Not all are secured. Have left some unfixed for the possibility of slight adjustment on the day.

 

 

 

Been plenty of activity at number one farm. But not by me. A group of log cutters have been in there all week, cutting away.

 

 

A couple of oil-bottle squeezers.

 

 

What a beast of a saw?! 700mm long blade.

 

 

And the end result.

 

 

One of the last remaining dirt sois in the village is about to be concreted.

 

 

Putting the PVC water  pipes in place. Isaan wouldn't function without PVC pipes. Millions of miles of them.

 

 

Rooney and her husband making charcoal.

 

 

These two will join me and Mildred next Saturday to fix up the solar.

 

 

The only house in the village to have resident pigeons.

 

 

Big event of the week in our soi was the 'chicken gala'.

 

 

It all runs on a points basis. a 360 degree turn is worth 1 point. A jump 5 points, and a loss of feather(s) is 2 points a feather; gained or lost.

 

 

You are next up bro'.

 

 

In training for next time.

 

 

After each round the chicken are given the best of love and attention.

 

 

Then it's action all the way. Very exciting stuff!

 

 

What have we here then?

 

 

Little buff, just a week or so old.

 

 

Will get some better shots in the week.

 

 

Did say to an earlier poster that I would get some pics of the avocados at the farm. All four were grown from seed.

 

Might never see fruit on them. Takes years I'm told. But I'm hopeful.

 

 

Big game of footy outside, for a couple of days, last week.

 

 

Mrs Owl's sister is on her annual visit from Oz. She was kind enough to bring me some Vegemite. Wasted no time in getting a taste.

 

Now, I've got a way of doing it. Dribble it over the cheese. But not too much as to smother it. Use a tooth-pick, or fork, and spike the cheese lumps. Then lick the Vegemite off before sucking the cheese to death.

 

Just can't get a better breakfast. Anywhere. With a big cup of Rosie; obviously.

 

 

Found out what they were getting up to on the week-end camp.

 

 

+++++

 

Great win for the Owls, and a shock defeat for the Foxes. Gunners going mad with the goals. 3 horse race in the EPL, although City drop points at home. Orient lose at home, but Aveley win away.

 

The whole family went to Kham Chanod yesterday. Unfortunately I couldn't go. Do a Owl Log special in the week. Quite crowded I'm informed.

 

Completely given up on my urine challenge. My eyebrows were out of control. Keeping up with my diet though. And my bathroom yoga.

 

We have both 'Zoi' dog food and Zoi cat food. I think it comes from China; as most stuff does nowadays.

 

Thumb still sore. But healing up good.

 

Bought a new light for the kitchen. The Mrs says it's not bright enough, so I've ordered a three meter 'white' strip. The one I just put up was 'warm' light. Have to keep her onside, because she makes me a nice cuppa. If she didn't do one, who would? Mildred can, but the tea don't taste as good. Have to give credit there. 3 in 1 coffee too. Mrs makes a great cup. Shame about the whacking and the other stuff. Can't have a perfect life like other farangs.

 

 

Also new in the kitchen; an air fryer. Although it doesn't really fry. Does food more like an oven. Tonight she says she will do my fritters in it. Bought if on Lazada for 785 baht, with 45 baht P&P. With a tip; 850 baht. Found the exact same one in Big C on Friday afternoon, for 999 baht. So done OK there.

 

Drinks are rocketing up. A litre of Apple Cider, or Tomato juice, is 70+ baht a litre now. Not so long ago they were 45 baht.

 

Wars all over. Is there a safer - or better - place to live than in the north of Isaan?

 

Only one down-pour since 17th October. And, according to the BBC world 'long range' forecast, none until April.

 

That's it. Thanks for visiting. Take care out there.

 

 

[owl sees all]

 

Couple of interesting little vids.

 

Both taken about 5/6 years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

Another defeat for the Foxes !!, the mighty Peacocks are on a roll !!

[owl sees all]

9 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Another defeat for the Foxes !!, the mighty Peacocks are on a roll !!

Peacocks are on a role alright.  Just at the right time of the season.

 

Good win by PNE too.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log later today.

 

Good news.

 

[HighPriority]

Congratulations Owl !

[London Lowf]

Eureka!

 

Looks like your shorts could do with a rinse through under that torrent of water - no need to post photos!

[owl sees all]

It's Monday Evening 26-02-2024. This is the weekly Owl Log.

 

At last we have water from the ground; solar powered. Four of us got to work at 9 on Sunday Morning and water came just after 15-00. Absolutely no problem with the pump, the PVC pipework, safety rope and the cables. That was all done and dusted in a little over 30 minutes. Then it was the panels. Put the first one into place and secured it with metal screws. Adjusted the other metal members - once the first one was square - and put up the other two.

 

A couple came over to watch. They asked question. Mostly about the costing. Good job Mildred was there as interpreter.

 

Secured the last 20 or so screws, and it was time to take off the covers (cardboard panel packaging) and watch the action. Nothing!!! Trouble-shoot time. Checked all the connections. They seemed fine. Checked the leads into the control box; all seemed OK. Then a brainwave! First of the day!? Switched the positive and negative over. And!? It all lit up and the controller fan came on. But!! Aan error message then appeared. Had a butchers at the manual. All in Thai. Showed it to the helpers. Don't think they can read. Mildred read it but said it was gobble-gook.

 

In the back of the manual (all 12 pages if it) it had the error messages; and what they meant.  Mildred took a pic with her smart-phone and got am on-line translation. It was the sensor causing the problem. It was reading 'no water'. It had been attached about half-metre above the pump. Wasn't going to pull it all up, so I disconnected it. And water flowed. Lubbly-jubbly. And a decent lick too at 15-21. Only one thing left to do. Put the little spade back where it came from inside the controller. Did that. Up came the 'E 2' message again. Took out the spade and again got water. Tidied up the wires and that was that.

 

After picking Mildred up from the Cinema at Big C this afternoon we tried to sort the 'low-water' sensor again. Switched some wires round, as yer do, and we were off. Mrs Owl was with us this time. And she seemed to be happy. If not impressed. So a win, win. Sort of!

 

 

Dozens of pics. I'll prepare them and do an Owl Log special tomorrow. I've noted everything of worthwhileness/interest/value down as a record for anyone to refer to.

 

The last bit of road was concreted on Friday. Not many dirt sections left now. Two I think, in the down-town part of the village.

 

 

My pineapple is giving another fruit. That will be three fruits from this plant, that was originally grown from a pineapple top a couple of years ago.

.

 

What was that row? Went on for 10 minutes before I ventured outside to investigate. It was a tractor, making a racket, at the end of the soi.

 

 

Backwards and forward. Forwards and Backward. What was occurring? After watching for another 10 minutes, I just had to walk down the soi and have a look. It was then the penny dropped. Say no more.

.

 

Mildred's school bus stopped in front of the pigeon soapy-massage house.

 

 

There was the annual festival at the river. Thousands there. Another special. Some great sights.

 

 

Three stages. Plenty of music. Some a bit loud.

 

 

Bought myself a nice knife.

 

 

Sorted out the kitchen lighting. A three metre LED strip arrived, and I soon had it up and running.

 

 

Bit of double-sided tape and a screw or two. All done.

 

 

Called into the fish market on the way back from the festival.

 

 

 

''Did you buy anything teerak?'' '' Yes farang. I bought myself a treat. And you're not getting any.''

 

 

Opposite the fish market there is 'deserted city'. So eerie! Had a wander round. No one about. No snakes. No dogs. Nothing.

 

 

Anything of value; long gone.

 

 

Ban Dung is going wire crazy!

 

 

Dear me!!! Now the up-loader is playing up. This is woeful. So slow. It's late. Finish tomorrow. Sorry all.

 

 

[owl sees all]

Tuesday Morning now. Back from escorting Mildred to catch the school bus. Then it was a walk along the soi picking up trash. It was a long w/e so plenty to pick up.

 

New calf in the farm across the highway from our number 2.

 

 

Is there action on the leccy front? Could be. Some soil was dropped on the section of the road where the leccy posts will be erected.

 

 

Picked Mildred up from school on Friday. Must have been at least 50 m/cs charging out the gate at 15-30. Hardly a crash helmet to be seen.

 

 

Spotted a cute little house in Ban Dung.

 

 

Found another little vid of the scout camping.

 

 

+++++

 

Orient get another cracking result. This time at Oxford. Owls get another win, and next up is Rotherham. Easy 3 points there. What's occurring in the Championship? Foxes and Saints dropping points. PNE, Peacocks and Tractors resurgent.

 

Interesting results in the Championship on Saturday. Ten matches. Six ended in a 2-1 or a 1-2. The Uniteds had a tough time in the EPL at the w/e. First three all lost. Could the Irons help them out last evening. No problem; 4-2. Bowen hatrick.

 

Girona back to winning ways.

 

Big by-election excitement in the UK this week. Will George Galloway get the Workers Party their first seat? Rochdale on the edge of something of a shock as Labour have imploded.

 

The 100 freestyle has gone. David Popivici's mark was bettered by China's Pan Zhanle at the worlds. Nth Ireland's Daniel Wiffen (born in England), is the new boss in the men's distance events. The first Irishman to ever break a world record in the pool. At the 2024 World Aquatics Championships, he took golds in the 800 and 1500.

 

interesting to note that the 51-74 ladies' 100 free world record by Sarah Sjöström, is faster that the first of Mark Spitz's marks in 1970.

 

No rain. Could possibly get a drop at the w/e. There is a cloud drifting over from Vietnam. But will it divert south to Bangkok?

 

One of my new sandals went missing. Found it this morning up the soi on the waste patch. It's that Robert at it again.

 

 

Put two new tyres on the Mazza. The best; Dunlops! 3,500 baht each. MOT due next month.

 

Have to start sorting out the palm pipework this week.

 

Another death in the outskirts of the village. It was Mrs Owl's brother's wife's brother. Not old at 56. Don't know any details.

 

Three Owl Log specials to get on with. Kham Chanod. The festival and the solar saga. Watch this space for exciting stuff.

 

Bye y'all and take care out there.

[nomad2019]

On 11/19/2019 at 12:21 PM, finnishmen said:

isaan have at foreign, <deleted> place live. i has living 4 year now and newer before no has eat thats same bad, all food have tottally big <deleted>, isan food not have thai food and normal. all have big <deleted> and human no can eat, only thai monkeys idiot eat eweryday <deleted> grass,<deleted> wery bad fish,all food could or raw,or half-raw, all food wery bad taste. normal thai food have 500 x better south than isan food have ewer. all peoples have idiots or little stupid, and IF borrow somethink newer not go back or go back broken. has destroy my hammer drill 2 pcs, now, hammer drill not have cheap 8000 B pcs and has borrow and destroy 2 pcs, and no tell me has broken, same many toold,ladders no newer go back to home if someone has borrow, expensives good guality ladders cost 5000 B but i no can use because have somewere at village. same many many tools and others parts, monkeys idiots no newer pay back or give me back my tools. i no borrow anythink now to monkeys idiots. womans not care husband, o matter what husband say wifes no hear husband newer, if need help somethink newer not help .

What 😵‍💫😳😩🥴🫣🤪🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🫢

[degrub]

Why drag up a 4 1/2 year old post ?

[GarryP]

1 hour ago, degrub said:

Why drag up a 4 1/2 year old post ?

Entertainment value of the rant. 55555

[nomad2019]

2 hours ago, degrub said:

Why drag up a 4 1/2 year old post ?

Because I can 😉

[owl sees all]

Day of the solar cell - Saturday 24th.

 

Finally got to grips with erecting in all.

 

The plan was to get everything to the spot.

Prepare everything; cables, PVC pipes and panels.

Put the DC pump down the well.

Put up the panels.

Screw-fix them in place.

Bolt on the controller

Pull off the coverings.

Switch it on.

Marvel at the water.

 

 

Stretched out both the wires. The main one for the pump and t'other for the 'low water' sensor.

 

 

Didn't glue any of the 8 PVC pipe sections. Or use sealing tape.

 

 

Made sure the holding rope was secured.

 

 

This pic seems out of sinc. The last one metre section had to have the male connector glued on. Couldn't find the glue. It was hiding in the back of the pick-up. While someone went to get a put, we put on the first panel.

 

Pump all sorted. Put on the other two panels.

 

 

Got out the special tools.

 

 

And started fixing the panels into place.

 

 

I had made 100 assorted fittings. So they were ready.

 

 

 

Bolted on the control unit.

 

 

 

 

Will tidy up the wiring later. No rush for that.

 

 

 

 

Switched on and waited. And waited. Nothing.

 

The next hour was spent trying to get to grips with the 'error' (E) messages on the controller.

 

This one shows E-3; which is not enough leccy. It was E-2 that showed the problem. All as clear as mud at the time. Simple now.

 

 

We got there in the end after Mildred translating the Thai 'E' scripts to English, on her telephone.

 

 

This flow is in late afternoon with 112 volts. Max voltage, just a tad under 150. So not bad. I reckon I'll get over 2 litres a second at noon on a bright day. And provided the water down below don't run out, that will be 20k+ litres a day. Plenty!

 

 

So it's onward and upward.

 

Ordered the posts for the the next two systems this afternoon.

 

Praise must go to the DeWALT battery drill. Held up really well. And the team of course.

 

Bye y'all.

 

[NativeBob]

Great post(s) worth subscribing to. Respect!

[owl sees all]

10 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

Great post(s) worth subscribing to. Respect!

Thanks Bob. Gives me a lift to know the posts are likes.

 

Anyone out there that wants to know any more; either post the query or PM me.

[NativeBob]

13 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Thanks Bob. Gives me a lift to know the posts are likes.

 

Anyone out there that wants to know any more; either post the query or PM me.

men who change and improve their environment for better, bring newer technology deserve respect, unlike bozzos sipping their booze and watching time passing by.
also it brings healthy motivation to locals.

[sotonowl]

3 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Anyone out there that wants to know any more; either post the query or PM me.

Any advice on the cyber attack that Southern Water has been exposed to and leaked mine and many others personal details?