Diary of a farang in Isaan

[GarryP]

10 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

IMO - The problem is the steep and slippery sides of these very deep ponds, which are popular in Isaan. I suspect that the kids either go for a swim or fall in, and just can't climb out. Eventually they are so exhausted that they go under. It seems fairly common that one child gets into difficulty and others drown whilst trying to help.

 

Looking at Owl's photos, his ponds seem to be shallow at the edges, which would make it easier for someone to climb out. Maybe there's some reason why the deep/steep-sided ponds are preferred by some. Maybe someone can explain.

 

I have mentioned previously that my wife had one of these ponds dug for free on her small farm a few years back. The soil (clay) was taken away for roadworks. Last month she had the pond backfilled again with clay as it never produced any fish worth the trouble.

 

When I read about these tragic drownings, I feel relieved that we will not have any kids drowning on her farm.   

 

 

In my neck of the woods, it seems that the deeper ponds are built in areas with poor water retention so that they can hold some water longer. This is not really a problem in areas where water retention is good, such as those with high water tables. In a village not more than 5 kms from where I live, the ponds tend to be very deep. I was standing in a new one the other week and it was bone dry, even after heavy rain a few days earlier. On the other hand, less than 500 meters from my home, a guy had two ponds dug a few months ago and they filled up before receiving any rain (these are only about 3 meters deep. 

[GarryP]

Duplicate post.

[owl sees all]

13 hours ago, HighPriority said:

When you say you’ve saved 100 Baht by repairing a chair Owl, does that include the cost of the cable ties?

😎

You should know me better than that HP.

 

 

Cable ties??!! The fixing was far more sopfisticated that mere cable ties. Only the best plastic string. Wouldn't want it to open up and close again when I got up; would I?

 

 

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, GarryP said:

In my neck of the woods, it seems that the deeper ponds are built in areas with poor water retention so that they can hold some water longer. This is not really a problem in areas where water retention is good, such as those with high water tables. In a village not more than 5 kms from where I live, the ponds tend to be very deep. I was standing in a new one the other week and it was bone dry, even after heavy rain a few days earlier. On the other hand, less than 500 meters from my home, a guy had two ponds dug a few months ago and they filled up before receiving any rain (these are only about 3 meters deep. 

 

 

You need a face-lift Garry mate. Tongue looks healthy though.

 

Matching cap and shirt I notice.

[sotonowl]

On 4/7/2024 at 3:03 PM, owl sees all said:

The ups and downs in the top two divisions are exciting for sure. Owls won away.

Slightly off topic but we play Norwich tonight Owl, bit of a mile stone as it's our 5,000 league game.

https://twitter.com/hashtag/SHWNOR?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1777588505172152568|twgr^5629f2dfd5224d97b44351229f0502e0625a7d0b|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.owlsonline.com%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcoremodule%3Dsystemcontroller%3Dembedurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fswfc%2Fstatus%2F1777588505172152568&src=hashtag_click

[owl sees all]

8 hours ago, sotonowl said:

Slightly off topic but we play Norwich tonight Owl, bit of a mile stone as it's our 5,000 league game.

https://twitter.com/hashtag/SHWNOR?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1777588505172152568|twgr^5629f2dfd5224d97b44351229f0502e0625a7d0b|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.owlsonline.com%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcoremodule%3Dsystemcontroller%3Dembedurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fswfc%2Fstatus%2F1777588505172152568&src=hashtag_click

Wot!! English footy off topic?

 

And a well earned, battling point at home against the Canaries.

 

I did forecast a while back that it world be Rothers, Brum and one other to leave the Championship. Gonna be tight.

[sotonowl]

8 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Wot!! English footy off topic?

 

And a well earned, battling point at home against the Canaries.

 

I did forecast a while back that it world be Rothers, Brum and one other to leave the Championship. Gonna be tight.

Well yeah, I did have one removed a bit since, maybe the mod was being a tad over zealous or he'd seen his <deleted>.

[owl sees all]

14 hours ago, sotonowl said:

Well yeah, I did have one removed a bit since, maybe the mod was being a tad over zealous or he'd seen his <deleted>.

The mods tend not to touch this thread. Down the years it's been pretty broad and civil in nature. As long as it's in my diary; it's OK. And footy is on page 3.

 

Hope to have some work done to the new water towers at the farm this week. Everything is in place, except the steels that have not yet been got down from the old water tower. TBH, I'm not up to all that climbing about 8 metres in the air any more. Best left to others. But that means delays.

 

 

[sotonowl]

9 hours ago, owl sees all said:

The mods tend not to touch this thread. Down the years it's been pretty broad and civil in nature. As long as it's in my diary; it's OK. And footy is on page 3.

 

Hope to have some work done to the new water towers at the farm this week. Everything is in place, except the steels that have not yet been got down from the old water tower. TBH, I'm not up to all that climbing about 8 metres in the air any more. Best left to others. But that means delays.

 

 

Tell me about it, I have a roof leak at home but can't now get in the loft. Have to rely on roofers and phone pics.

[owl sees all]

 

14-04-2024. Sunday afternoon. This is the Owl Log. Trying to make sense my little corner of Isaan.

 

Right in the middle of Songkran. Still wet from yesterday. Or is that just sweat? It is a little warm!

 

Mrs Owl and Mildred went off to Nong Khai this morning. A new Buddha, overlooking the Mekong river, came a'calling. About 10 of them went in two pick-ups. Daughter didn't want to go but was persuaded by mum. No one even asked me. That's the way it goes here. But i'm not moaning. Taking advantage. Listening to Van the man on the TV, whilst I do the Owl Log.

 

Mildred has gone all fashion conscious. Gets most of her stuff from the TikTok Shop. Dad pays naturally. Had to put some shelves up in the kitchen for her. Soon filled up with beauty products.

 

 

Never been one to put stuff on me skin. Prefer to keep skin nice by giving it the nutrients from inside. Except that stuff we proper men use. Nudge, nudge - wink, wink.

 

Mildred finished another painting a couple of days ago.

 

 

www.mildredart.com

 

Running out of wall to put them on. Stickman holding 'Dove of Peace' has been found a spot in the bedroom. Probably put the new one under it.

 

 

At the farm, everything has come to a halt due to the holiday. So it will be Tuesday, at the earliest, when we get on with it.

 

 

Not yet made up my mind where to erect the tower. Make my mind up on the first day of work.

 

 

Mildred's friend lives at a village at the back of the salt fields. Dropped her off, and took some pics.

 

It's big business.

 

 

Some of the salt is dried in the black poly units. Gives a cleaner salt end product.

 

 

Whole area is about 200 football pitches in size.

 

 

Salt is stored in the barns.

 

 

At the village, where I dropped Mildred, there is a cracking Buddha, resting over a lake.

 

 

No one about. Could I go for a swm to cool off?

 

 

Started to read all about the lake, but the lettering needed a bit of TLC. So gave up.

 

 

We had a drop of rain a week or so ago. Let the extra water in the holder go into Mildred's carp tank.

 

 

Should have been more water in the tank than there was; after the rain. Found the blockage. Soon cleared.

 

 

Discovered a new record wire-breaker in Ban Dung.

 

 

Dear me! The tangle of all tangles.

 

 

Went on the measure in the euca farm. Biggest tree in that corner; just under 60cms.

 

 

Songkram nails.

 

 

A new dig just along from us. The sides are near vertical.

 

 

The little hammer will come in handy one day. Just couldn't resist it. 84 baht.

 

 

+++++

Foxes didn't do Owls any favours on Friday evening. The shock result lifted Plymouth out of the danger zone. Although now QPR and Stoke are in the mix. Any two from 5, to go down with Rothers. City win 5-1 against the Hatters. Other big two play today. Expect a goal feast from Pool against Palace, as a reaction to there awful showing against Atlanta in the week.

+++++

Anyone for golf? Yanks 1, 2 and 3 in the Masters. No interest really when there are no Brits involved. Where is that English golfer? The one who introduces himself as Sir whats-his-name. I remember it's Nick Faldo. Get yer plus fours back on. England needs you.

+++++

Seems like we are having a delivery every day. Either Lazada or TikTok. My stuff is pretty functional. Hose clamps and PVC connectors yesterday. But some cat food too. 24 cans of best sardines in jelly.

+++++

Not so hot this week. Have only 3 fans on at night in the bedroom.

+++++

Rain seems a long way off. Water from the solar pump system is running into pond 4 til tomorrow evening, when Mildred wants it back into pond 5.

+++++

Still not taking to Mrs Owl.

+++++

Take care out there and stay dry.

 

[sotonowl]

7 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Expect a goal feast from Pool against Palace,

Just watching that game now, Palace 0-1 up, second half just kicked off.

[owl sees all]

12 hours ago, sotonowl said:

Just watching that game now, Palace 0-1 up, second half just kicked off.

Dear me!

 

How wrong can ya be? A goal feast at Pool? No way. Palace all the way. Irons well beaten at home by Cottagers. And Arsenal outgunned at home by Villa.

 

Have the reds of Liverpool and London just handed the title to blue Manchester?

 

Bayer Leverkusen win the German Bundesliga with 5 games to go.

[sotonowl]

9 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Dear me!

 

How wrong can ya be? A goal feast at Pool? No way. Palace all the way. Irons well beaten at home by Cottagers. And Arsenal outgunned at home by Villa.

 

Have the reds of Liverpool and London just handed the title to blue Manchester?

 

Bayer Leverkusen win the German Bundesliga with 5 games to go.

Fair play to the Palace lads, some brilliant defending in there but the amount of chances Liverpool had I still can't see how they didn't score. Having said that, I'm pleased they did'n't as I don't like them.😀

[owl sees all]

17 hours ago, sotonowl said:

Fair play to the Palace lads, some brilliant defending in there but the amount of chances Liverpool had I still can't see how they didn't score. Having said that, I'm pleased they did'n't as I don't like them.😀

The clubs outside the top 6 only have the occasional good game. Pool had a another stinker and Palace capitalized.

 

When are clubs like Villa, Seagulls and Irons gonna break through? Toon are almost part of the top furniture; as are Villa. Be good to see.

 

If City do it this year, then it will be the first time a club has done 4 on the bounce. Next season it would be good to get a change.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log part one of three.

 

Monday afternoon. 22nd April 2024.

 

Pleased we missed out on WW3. Would have made me regret starting the Solar System venture.

 

Soo and Kun were with me on Thursday. Bit of heavy lifting to do. 

 

Everything arrived on time. And it was off to work we go. First thing was to get the base sorted. 10cm thick. The rings were well concreted in.

 

 

Concreting in 40C is an art. Make the mix on the wet side, cause by the time it's in place it's half off. Put another 50cms into the bottom rings.

 

 

Finished that about 11ish. Got to work on the underground pipework.

 

 

Not that deep. There was gonna be a soil/mud/clay covering.

 

 

About 13 metres altogether below ground.

 

 

Off to lunch to let the concrete set hard, and started again at 2.

 

Gradually built up the rings. Grouting them in as we went.

 

 

Was gonna go to 2 metres before capping, but decided - mostly for safety reasons - to only go 4 rings high.

 

Then on with the caps.

 

 

And finally the IBCs.

 

 

Just about 5 when we finished the first day.

 

 

Second day on Friday, it was pipework, and then more pipework. Only had one helper; Kun. Soo went off to cut trees somewhere. Not too much lifting to do fortunately.

 

 

Did the lower pipes first. Gradually worked up.

 

 

Connected the pump and filled it all up. Roughly 4000 litres in all.

 

Expected a few leaks. Filled the rings to see any leaks.

 

 

Not wrong there. 

 

 

Drained the system and it was home for tea.

 

Started on the grouting first thing on Saturday. Also removed some pipes and replaced them. The overflow pipes into and out of the system couldn't keep pace with the water coming from the pump. All the 1 1/2 pipes taken out and 2 inchers put in. Also put in an air valve.

 

 

Looks a bit confusing. Hope it all works!

 

 

Last job was to level out the soil. Kun on the wheelbarrow and me on the chog-chog.

 

 

Will need another load of soil later. But all in all quite pleased with the finished job.

 

Next task is to give it a live run tomorrow. See if all my planning was OK.

 

Sunday morning. Let the water flow. Sun came up at 9-30 precisely. Controller read 119 volts. Pump started. it was action stations. Oops!!!!! Dear me. I need a stiff drink. Didn't reckon on that!

 

Owl Log parts 2 and 3 later today.

[owl sees all]

It's Tuesday the 22nd of April and this is the Owl Log.

 

Part 2 of 3.

 

The family all went off to Nong Khai and left me alone. Perhaps they didn't think I would like what they had in store. Anyway I took advantage.

 

I'm not so sure what the main reason for the trip was all about. They said to visit this special temple. But there was more to the day's activities that that. Much more.

 

 

Mrs Owl posing in front of the temple.

 

 

Up the stairs and in.

 

 

Very nice it was too.

 

 

That done it was off to a water park.

 

 

Sour puss Mildred thoroughly enjoying herself

 

 

Hire a table and it's soon time to eat.

 

From the left: Nok with the glasses. Jane in the white shirt. Chelsea in the pink hat. Chelsea's dad.

 

 

They all got back to the village at nine in the evening. I asked Mildred if she had enjoyed herself. Her reply; 'Sort of'. 'Why is that dear?' 'Wet for hours.' Glad I never went.

+++++

What to make of that Palace. Sorted out the Liverpool lot, then smashed in five against the Irons. Owls did themselves good by winning at Blackburn. Aveley make the play-offs. Be good to see them make the National League.

Only Villa did well in Europe last week.

+++++

 

My pineapple is looking the biz. It was about this time when the last one disappeared. Have to keep me eye on it.

 

 

The Big Mango lady is gonna make a mint with the hoppers. I counted 1,347 just in this cage alone. And there were many more, but they were spooked and jumped all over the place. Messed up my counting.

 

 

Haven't seen the pet piggie for a few days. Hope it's OK.

 

 

+++++

Sunday was a scorcher. Fortunately a rest day for me. If i work for too long in the hot sun, I get leg-cramps in the evening.No'.

+++++

Still not made it up with the Mrs. Last evening she kicked me on my dodgy left leg. As luck would have it; hit my knee and not further up.

+++++

The deal we had when we sold the farm, is still ongoing. There was 200k spare after all her debts were paid off. Shared 50-50. But I wanted the assurance that I could spend my bit on the farm. She bought gold. And the gold price is gradually creeping up. So she should be happy?! But now she wants me to spend what I have left on things she wants. I said 'No!'.

+++++

I've changed my morning tipple a bit. A cold soda, with honey and chlorophyll and a peeled lime. Very refreshing. In the leaflet that comes with the chlorophyll, it says that a tablespoon is equal to eating 69 fresh grapes. I squirt much more than that in the mix. Equal to three bunches I reckon. Loaded with vitamin C.

Not made any reishi wine for yonks. Don't seen to have the time.

+++++

That's it folks. Only one thing left to say; look out for an explosive part three.

 

[sotonowl]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Only Villa did well in Europe last week.

Yes, did you see the interesting anomaly with the yellow cards Owl? Villa goalkeeper had a second yellow after the 1st or 2nd pen of the penalty shootout but didn't get sent off. Apparently cards don't carry over from the game into the penalty shootout, they give them a fresh start as they don't want to be sending a goalie off for leaving his goal line when facing a penalty in the shootout should he have had one during the game.

 

As for the Owls, I have precipice fatigue, oh for a season in mid table. My nerves are shot.

[sotonowl]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Sour puss Mildred thoroughly enjoying herself

Can't you book her some laughing lessons Owl, surely there's a local place near you.

[it is what it is]

On 11/18/2019 at 10:28 AM, JustAnotherFarang said:

There is a touch of the old Bernard Trink to your posts, its fun to read between the lines

 

 

he's far more amusing than Trink, not obsessed by the sex industry (yawn) and, importantly, he's original, he doesn't cut and paste other people's writing.

[HighPriority]

Hurry up with part 3 !

 I’m on tenterhooks here !!

[London Lowf]

 

Looks like your Mrs has nicked one of your hats!

 

[owl sees all]

12 hours ago, HighPriority said:

Hurry up with part 3 !

 I’m on tenterhooks here !!

Soon HP.

[owl sees all]

7 hours ago, London Lowf said:

 

Looks like your Mrs has nicked one of your hats!

 

Make you right there LL. I don't mind really. She can have anything I have to offer. 

 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - Tuesday afternoon - Part 3

 

It's all about water. First live run on the palm solar system yesterday.

 

But first we had to bring over a couple of long PVCs from number one farm.

 

 

Looked at the lay of the farm and put it where it will get to most trees.

 

 

Turned the system on, and after 10 minutes the overflow kicked in. That meant that the two 1000L IBCs were full. Although they were half full to start with.

 

So far so good. But as good as the overflow was working, could it handle the inflow. The outpipe was 2 inch; the pump pipe in 1 1/2. Both IBCs kept filling. We could hear the water shooting down into the rings below.

 

Then they decided to overflow.

 

 

 

But at least we knew something. The top overflow was not man enough for the job. Just couldn't release enough water fast enough. Let's see how the lower one would perform.

 

 

Mildred went over to release the IBC water.

 

 

We waited no longer than a couple of minutes for the lower overflow to kick in. Coming out at a good lick too. Must have been 2 litres a second. Stopped the water from the BCI tanks.

 

But!!!???

 

 

Dear me. Waterfall!! Can only blame myself for underestimating the pump capacity. According to the pump data; at 32 metres down, the best it could give was 88 litres a minute. There was two litres a second out of the overflow. So a monumental miscalculation by me.

 

But on the upside. The palms were getting a long awaited drink. As luck will have it; most of number two farm is in on a slight down slope. For now; let the water flow.

 

 

Now some rough calculations.

 

Start time 10am. Finish time 4pm. Average pump output; 1 litre a second. So 6 hours x 60 minutes x 60 seconds x 1 litre. On a bright day that's a whopping 20k+ litres feeding the palms. And no more than 30/35 at one time. If I put in some more long PVCs, to allow the switching of water direction, and make sure there are little channels to let water flow where the soil is slightly high, the palms should be very happy.

 

Perhaps I'm being too sophisticated for me own good. It is Thailand after all; not Essex-on-sea.

 

Only one thing left to say; bye ya'll.

 

[HighPriority]

If not perfect, you’ve got water flowing, well done Owl 👍🏼

[owl sees all]

4 hours ago, HighPriority said:

If not perfect, you’ve got water flowing, well done Owl 👍🏼

Indeed.     

 

With the frond cover from the palms, the sun don't get through too much. So evaporation is minimal. I'll have a good look on Thursday. Ban Dung tomorrow. Weekly shop.

[sotonowl]

I'm not sure what everyone else's thoughts are on this subject but I'm just finding it way too long between Owls posts and he needs to up his game and start posting a similar amount of content on a daily basis. Thanks for reading.

[sotonowl]

Just now, sotonowl said:

I'm not sure what everyone else's thoughts are on this subject but I'm just finding it way too long between Owls posts and he needs to up his game and start posting a similar amount of content on a daily basis. Thanks for reading.

Oh, and when I say posts, I don't mean the ones holding the solar panels up.

[chickenslegs]

12 minutes ago, sotonowl said:

I'm not sure what everyone else's thoughts are on this subject but I'm just finding it way too long between Owls posts and he needs to up his game and start posting a similar amount of content on a daily basis. Thanks for reading.

I like the weekend roundup, with occasional posts in between.

 

Enough is as good as a feast, my Dad used to say.

[degrub]

6 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

I like the weekend roundup, with occasional posts in between.

 

Enough is as good as a feast, my Dad used to say.

And gives us something to look forward to each week !