Diary of a farang in Isaan

[chickenslegs]

12 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Just back from taking Mildred to school. Exactly 35km round trip.

That's over 20 miles in real money!

No wonder Thai parents are letting their kids ride bikes/scooters to school. (not that I am advocating for that).

[owl sees all]

21 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Just back from taking Mildred to school. Exactly 35km round trip.

 

Checked your link chickenlegs. I am horrified. Thirty four grammes for 435 baht. A can of cat food is only 27 baht and that weighs in at 400g. No wonder I can't find it on the shelves in Big C or Tescos; no-one would buy it. Like Philadelphia cheese! At 160 baht, no-one wanted it, and I only bought it when its sell-by date had nearly passed and the price was just half. Now it's gone altogether.  

Have to correct myself.

 

That should read 340 grammes not 34. Very expensive food; even for a human; let alone for fish.

[bluesofa]

On 7/12/2020 at 2:41 PM, owl sees all said:

Owl Log - 12-07-2020

{snipped}

All the children were off school on Monday and Tuesday, so it was back on Wednesday. Bus picked her up empty at 6-30 on the first two days, but on Friday, it showed at 6-15. Milly was only half way through her brekkies. Mrs Owl; "Ask him why he is so early." They spoke for a minute. "He has to go to a meeting." Really!!. "Ask him why Mildred gets picked up first and dropped off last?" Another big chat. Anyway in the afternoon, the bus arrived at 4-45, full up with kids. So Milly was being dropped off first. Must have had something to do with the morning talks. But too late. I gave him 300 baht and the Mrs told him we will not be using him again. So from Monday, I'll be taking her to school, and bringing her home, About 40km a trip; twice a day. 400km a week. Not ideal; but better for M.

Is the sole reason it's better for Mildred due to inconsistent pick up/drop off times, or is there something else too?

Do you feel the driver drives safely and is responsible taking care of the kids generally?

 

I ask because here in Udon I see a mini-van for the most expensive school here sometimes driving fast around the ring road with young kids on-board. I followed it once and saw it was going at 110km/hr.

 

The speed limit is either 60 or 80km/hr - not sure if a min-van is considered a car or a bus?

See the attached pic.

 

There was a sign on the back requesting informing the school if you saw it being driven 'impolitely'.

I called the phone number and receptionist just said she would tell the driver. The way she said it gave me the impression she wasn't really concerned about it, but still.

 

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, bluesofa said:

Is the sole reason it's better for Mildred due to inconsistent pick up/drop off times, or is there something else too?

Do you feel the driver drives safely and is responsible taking care of the kids generally?

A couple of points to be answered there bluesofa.

 

IMO getting picked up first and dropped off last, was not fair. Milly was complaining to me that there was rowdiness in the pick-up, even with a lady (driver's wife) sitting at the rear. Also the pick-up had an exhaust problem; it smelled. Not so bad when on the go I guess, but with the stop/go nature of picking up and dropping off children, it seemed unhealthy to me breathing in the fumes.

 

By all accounts the driver was safe and steady; so no prob's there. 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 14-07-2020

 

A couple of interesting days; but sad too.

 

The little kitten died. Was expecting it. So tiny and reluctant to take nourishment.

 

 

Gave the kitten a decent send off.

 

(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)

 

The eucas by the side of the road are doing well.

 

 

Almost at the stage where they can look after themselves.

 

 

While I'm snapping, and picking up any rubbish that the wind has blown over, Mildred is content to let the world roll by.

 

 

(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)

 

Went fishing Sunday and caught 5 fish. Gave two away to the first person that came along. But still 3 nice ones for grub in the week.

 

 

"Which ones did I get Mil? Just that smaller one Dad."

 

 

(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)

 

The new road that runs between the villages had its big holes fixed earlier this year. Came along the road today and saw that it had deteriorated a little.

 

 

Gonna have to sort that. Once the water starts running down the hole it will take away the sub-soil underneath. I'll give it until November.

 

(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)

 

I find one of the problems with buffaloes, is that they don't think like humans. Just because they are fat and some have big horns, that could overturn a motorbike, they think they own the road.

 

 

(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)

 

Had a business idea. Took the drawings to Fix Kola, and sought their advice.

 

 

The shop used to be run by the father (left), but now Ms Kola (right) is in charge. 

 

I'm sure they understood what I was on about.

 

(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)(8)

 

Just why are some things so expensive in Thailand?

 

A decent lump of cheese; I dream about it. Olive oil; too expensive to even consider drinking a cup. A litre a day would be out of the question. Spam; it's far more expensive than top quality cat food. Luncheon meat; sorry fish you will just have to get caught on fish pellet.

 

Mrs Owl spoke to our handy man and told him to fill sacks with soil and block the holes running under the road. We are ready for the next big rain?! Just one shower in the last 12 days.

 

Tuesday mid-day now and I miss Milly. The Mrs is sleeping. Can't disturb her if I know what's good for me.

 

More to follow.

 

Bye y'all.

 

 

 

 

 

[bluesofa]

Tells us more about this business idea Owl. Don't keep us in suspenders like that!

 

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, bluesofa said:

Tells us more about this business idea Owl. Don't keep us in suspenders like that!

 

It's to do with de-weeding around the euca trees.

 

Mrs owl says her sister Pook could weed around all the euca trees in a week; using a chog-chog (hoe). I said, "how long to do one tree?" "Two minutes." Right then. A little maths. 30 an hour, and a 8 hours day!! That 240 trees a day. We have just over 10,000.

 

"Mrs Owl; that 7 day estimate is unrealistic. At that rate" (one in two minutes), "it will take a month at least."

 

"I think a week"

 

"It's impossible."

 

"I think you good numbers for teach, but not mean anything. Pook is good work. Not rest."

 

 

The debate fizzled out at this point.

 

So, I got to thinking; how could we speed things up and retain some safety for the little trees? I came up with two completely different ideas. One using cola bottles, but environmentally dodgy at this time of year; but OK for later on in the season. The other held promise. I was optimistic. Still am.

 

Took me back to my working days in water management. I drew out the plans in a few hours, and presented them to 'Fix Cola' this morning.

 

Hav'n't told the wife I've been to see them yet.

 

[pineapple01]

This is more like Mrs Dales Diary.

[owl sees all]

25 minutes ago, pineapple01 said:

This is more like Mrs Dales Diary.

Great stuff pineapple01. Good you remember it.

 

Mrs Dale's Diary ran for over twenty years. I'd like to be reporting the 'Owl Log' in 2040.

[pineapple01]

25 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Great stuff pineapple01. Good you remember it.

 

Mrs Dale's Diary ran for over twenty years. I'd like to be reporting the 'Owl Log' in 2040.

Your not Jim Dale  by any chance. Strange, but i could never watch the likes of East Enders, Coronation Street etc but Emerdale, The Archers  were folks i had something in common with. That Grange Hill program made me want to put a brick through the TV.

[sotonowl]

On 7/12/2020 at 5:26 PM, samsensam said:

But!! The wrapping. Just so wrong. I explained to her about dice, and she was as bemused as me. I thought of going to Trading Standards, but then thought; what's the point?

 

You mean that the 2 is on an adjacent side to the 5 instead of being opposite? Opposite sides should add up to 7.????

[sotonowl]

On 7/13/2020 at 2:54 AM, owl sees all said:

Just back from taking Mildred to school. Exactly 35km round trip.

How long does that take Owl?

 

Also, whilst I'm on, I don't suppose the fish would take the cat food would they?

[owl sees all]

19 minutes ago, sotonowl said:

You mean that the 2 is on an adjacent side to the 5 instead of being opposite? Opposite sides should add up to 7.????

Precisely!

 

These sweets are popular. Kids look at the wrappings and are sent poor messages. But what can we do? When the children grow older and get stuck into that 'high/low' dice game, they will be so confused.

 

 

Five should be opposite two, and six opposite one; not number three.

[owl sees all]

46 minutes ago, sotonowl said:

How long does that take Owl?

 

Also, whilst I'm on, I don't suppose the fish would take the cat food would they?

If I go straight to the school and turn around quickly, I'm back in about 65 minutes.

 

####

 

They probably would.

 

When in England carp fishing, we would mix up all sorts of concoctions to catch the viathons, Mixing cat food with other ingredients was a common practice. Then boilies arrived and the art of making carp baits sort of died out.

 

I liked luncheon meat and cooked (roasted) chicken, as I could snack on the bait.

 

There was a medicine called 'Minadex' that was a good attractor. Unfortunately tench liked it also.

 

At the w/e I'm gonna try little cubes of bacon, which is in the fridge.

 

 

[chickenslegs]

7 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

They probably would.

 

When in England carp fishing, we would mix up all sorts of concoctions to catch the viathons, Mixing cat food with other ingredients was a common practice. Then boilies came arrived and the art of making carp baits sort of died out.

 

I liked luncheon meat and cooked (roasted) chicken, as I could snack on the bait.

 

There was a medicine called 'Minadex' that was a good attractor. Unfortunately tench liked it also.

 

At the w/e I'm gonna try little cubes of bacon, which is in the fridge.

 

 

Ham bologna is virtually the same as luncheon meat and is about 75 baht for 250g in 7/11, Tesco, etc.

 

I like the version with chillies, but I guess the fish wouldn't.

[owl sees all]

1 minute ago, chickenslegs said:

Ham bologna is virtually the same as luncheon meat and is about 75 baht for 250g in 7/11, Tesco, etc.

 

I like the version with chillies, but I guess the fish wouldn't.

Bang on the money as usual chickenlegs.

 

I eat both of those. I like the chillies taken out when Mrs Owl is making a toast sarnie. Can be a bit hot for me.

 

The fish are gonna love 'em.

[Kadilo]

2 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Bang on the money as usual chickenlegs.

 

I eat both of those. I like the chillies taken out when Mrs Owl is making a toast sarnie. Can be a bit hot for me.

 

The fish are gonna love 'em.

I love experimenting with different Carp Baits. Used to mix some marmite into some of the meat based ones. Had a lot of success with Luncheon meat last Summer. If I’m still stuck here next month (very likely) I will get the rods out again. Sweet corn is still A popular bait here. Ever tried that over there?

 

 

[owl sees all]

8 hours ago, Kadilo said:

I love experimenting with different Carp Baits. Used to mix some marmite into some of the meat based ones. Had a lot of success with Luncheon meat last Summer. If I’m still stuck here next month (very likely) I will get the rods out again. Sweet corn is still A popular bait here. Ever tried that over there?

 

 

Caught my biggest English carp at Hainault in 1977. Luncheon meat the bait and the mirror weighed in at 20 3/4lbs. My most successful year was 1979 when I bagged 40 doubles from different places, but mostly from Hainault and Dagenham Police Pit.

 

Sweetcorn was always in my bait box. Used it a lot in Spain for the reservoir barbel (yes barbel) and carp.

[Kadilo]

3 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Caught my biggest English carp at Hainault in 1977. Luncheon meat the bait and the mirror weighed in at 20 3/4lbs. My most successful year was 1979 when I bagged 40 doubles from different places, but mostly from Hainault and Dagenham Police Pit.

 

Sweetcorn was always in my bait box. Used it a lot in Spain for the reservoir barbel (yes barbel) and carp.

Sweet corn ever used in Thailand?

[Odysseus123]

Kadilo-how are things going for you in Blighty...and for your family in Thailand?

[Kadilo]

Hi Od. Not bad thanks for asking. I’m a week into a 3 week break. Still plenty of COVID nonsense going on. Can’t even sit in a coffee shop yet or even outside one !  Queues for everything.  I still don’t know anyone who has had it. Even over here. 

 The family are ok life seems pretty simple and normal for them. We speak every day.  Today she’s mentioned the Egyptian a time Rayong so I guess that’s in the news over there. I said yes it’s the epicentre of the worlds Covid with one case. She didn’t get it. 

I got my self a bike. I love to walk but the arthritis Is catching up so it’s one day walking and one on the bike. Went out today and did about 30 mile. I’m no Assurance, and my ar.se hurts like hell. As a tribute I took some snaps with the bike in. Promise I won’t do it  again ???? He would be proud 

As always click and go so no editing or levelling off etc.  

I cycled along the cycle track along the Thames from Benfleet creek to Old Leigh on Sea stopping at  the cockle sheds then onto Chalkwell Southend and finally Shoeburyness. 

Very enjoyable lunch of fruit and yoghurt with granola in case your wondering what about in the box. 

Believe it or not one of those beach huts at Shoebury sells for £70,000!  Saw two sell last year. How the other half live eh.

 

[Odysseus123]

4 hours ago, Kadilo said:

I got my self a bike. I love to walk but the arthritis Is catching up so it’s one day walking and one on the bike. Went out today and did about 30 mile. I’m no Assurance, and my ar.se hurts like hell. As a tribute I took some snaps with the bike in. Promise I won’t do it  again ???? He would be proud 

What an excellent tribute to Michel!

I reckon he'd be smiling somewhere.

 

I am glad that your family is okay...ah yes..that pesky Egyptian!

 

It's funny how our memories trip us up as 40 years ago all English summers were warm and sunny with clear blue skies...????

[Kadilo]

53 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

What an excellent tribute to Michel!

I reckon he'd be smiling somewhere.

 

I am glad that your family is okay...ah yes..that pesky Egyptian!

 

It's funny how our memories trip us up as 40 years ago all English summers were warm and sunny with clear blue skies...????

It was a strange day. Very overcast as you can see in the pics but not cold, around 20 ish. The next 2 days are supposed to be on the up 25/26 so a long walk to the riverfront with a picnic packed will be my day. 
 

I’ve been discovering footpaths and nature reserves I never knew existed. Very peaceful and chilling. Still rather be in Thailand but looking as far away as ever tbh. I’m still hoping for a change of heart around Xmas time else I fear for everyone especially the Thai people. 

[faraday]

Nice pictures, looks like you had a good time; fruit & yoghurt for lunch, top marks for eating healthily. ????

 

£70,000 for a beach hut - unbelievable! 

 

I remember some very happy times long ago. Going to the beach in Felixstowe with Mum & my sister, & getting changed in a beach hut. Freezing cold water, overcast dull sky, but wonderfully happy....*just for a moment, I was there*

 

[Kadilo]

6 hours ago, faraday said:

Nice pictures, looks like you had a good time; fruit & yoghurt for lunch, top marks for eating healthily. ????

 

£70,000 for a beach hut - unbelievable! 

 

I remember some very happy times long ago. Going to the beach in Felixstowe with Mum & my sister, & getting changed in a beach hut. Freezing cold water, overcast dull sky, but wonderfully happy....*just for a moment, I was there*

 

Yes ridiculous money and basically just a small box and not allowed to stay in them overnight. Watching people sitting outside and having their lunch looking out to the sea, I can see the attraction but for that money I can think of a few things I would rather buy in Thailand. 

[GarryP]

13 hours ago, Kadilo said:

I got my self a bike. I love to walk but the arthritis Is catching up so it’s one day walking and one on the bike. Went out today and did about 30 mile. I’m no Assurance, and my ar.se hurts like hell. As a tribute I took some snaps with the bike in. Promise I won’t do it  again ???? He would be proud 

As always click and go so no editing or levelling off etc.  

I cycled along the cycle track along the Thames from Benfleet creek to Old Leigh on Sea stopping at  the cockle sheds then onto Chalkwell Southend and finally Shoeburyness. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great looking bike. If that is the saddle that came with the bike, you may want to replace it with a more ar.se friendly one or invest in a pair of cycling shorts (they are padded) as they will reduce the aches. You don't need to go full on cycling gear, just buy a short pair to wear under your normal shorts. Talking from experience here. Lesson already learned.  

[Kadilo]

28 minutes ago, GarryP said:

Great looking bike. If that is the saddle that came with the bike, you may want to replace it with a more ar.se friendly one or invest in a pair of cycling shorts (they are padded) as they will reduce the aches. You don't need to go full on cycling gear, just buy a short pair to wear under your normal shorts. Talking from experience here. Lesson already learned.  

Cheers. That is actually a new gel saddle I bought and replaced the one that was on. The shorts I will def invest in. 
 

The bike itself on bought through the Government  Cycle to work scheme using  my Employers participation I pay each month through my wages so it works out a lot cheaper without the tax. Everyone at work has been doing it for a while so jumped on the bandwagon. 
 

Opened up a whole new world. Amazed at how so many people are using bikes at the moment. 

[owl sees all]

21 hours ago, Kadilo said:

Hi Od. Not bad thanks for asking. I’m a week into a 3 week break. Still plenty of COVID nonsense going on. Can’t even sit in a coffee shop yet or even outside one !  Queues for everything.  I still don’t know anyone who has had it. Even over here. 

 The family are ok life seems pretty simple and normal for them. We speak every day.  Today she’s mentioned the Egyptian a time Rayong so I guess that’s in the news over there. I said yes it’s the epicentre of the worlds Covid with one case. She didn’t get it. 

I got my self a bike. I love to walk but the arthritis Is catching up so it’s one day walking and one on the bike. Went out today and did about 30 mile. I’m no Assurance, and my ar.se hurts like hell. As a tribute I took some snaps with the bike in. Promise I won’t do it  again ???? He would be proud 

As always click and go so no editing or levelling off etc.  

I cycled along the cycle track along the Thames from Benfleet creek to Old Leigh on Sea stopping at  the cockle sheds then onto Chalkwell Southend and finally Shoeburyness. 

Very enjoyable lunch of fruit and yoghurt with granola in case your wondering what about in the box. 

Believe it or not one of those beach huts at Shoebury sells for £70,000!  Saw two sell last year. How the other half live eh.

 

Making me feel homesick.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 17-07-2020

 

TWTWTW

 

Strange goings on in Pond one. 200 metres of pipes find a new home (without me knowing). Rice field flooded. Different building in Ban Dung. Perfectly manicured VoA.

 

Yes indeed strange. Snake-head fish are tough. Like eels, they can travel across land at night. So why are these fish dying and the pla nin not?

 

 

Twelve so far. All about 200/250 mm long. No dead nin, which are not one little bit tough. I actually found one between on the grass between pond one and pond two. Got me thinking.

 

(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)

 

Been taking Mildred to school all this week. And if I don't dilly-dally and go straight back to the village, it's about 60/65 minutes. Next week she is doing a student special from 16-00 to 17-00. Gonna be a 'top notch' student (I'm told by Mrs Owl) in a school where less than 20 kids - out of 1000 - can hold an English conversation. That'll take a bit of doing. Milly asked me what 'top notch' meant.

 

Checked the km for the week and it read 385. Dear, me! I think I'll have to crush up some oil palm nuts. And, it's not like England, where cooking oil is half the price of diesel (solar in Thailand), here solar is cheaper.

 

But on the upside I found a nice 'house' just outside Ban Dung.

 

 

 

Is it a house? Mil says no; a windmill.

 

And on the way back this morning, I couldn't help but notice how delightful the surrounding area to Voice of America (VoA) was.

 

 

So nice.

 

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The rain the other evening, although only for an hour, was enough to turn the rice field into a paddy.

 

 

We have to let some water out 'cause some rice was underwater. I took the cap off the number one overflow pipe, and reckon it will be OK with balancing out the water level.

 

 

A couple of decent downpours and number one will be full. Then I can easily gravity feed pond two.

 

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Mrs Owl bought some vitamin for her garden. The village was selling it a little cheaper than in Phen or Ban Dung. She bought three sacks. I carried them from the pick-up to under the farm house. Slipped in the mud and hurt my back a bit. Sore at the moment.

 

 

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Shock of the week was seeing my pipes being used along the road to pump water about 250 metres. 

 

 

How'd I recognise my pipes? I know my pipes from anyone else's any day; especially it the valves are left attached..

 

 

Turned out Mrs Owl had asked me and I said 'no problem'. Don't recall such a conversation,,, but never mind. Later, I did get a message that they wanted to buy the pipes from me for 1000 baht. Told them 'no'. The misses just had to pass my reply on. I'm sure she did. So easy to get things sorted in Isaan.

 

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Thinking seriously about getting a 'dash cam'. Today, outside the little Tescos in Ban Dung, I stopped at a crossing to let a couple of people cross the road. I stayed about a car-length back and let them cross. Would you believe the car behind overtook me on the wrong side of the road. The car in front was not a car-length in front of the crossing so the overtaking car finished half across the crossing. Just so dodgy here sometimes, on the road. 

 

Got accused of paying women on the internet again. "Have to go steady with the money this month teelak."

 

"You have money. What you do with all your money? Pay lady on internet. I know."

 

Went round to see my mate Ron in the week. His computer is ancient and I was hoping it was gonna give me access to my flash-drive. No!! It simply will not open in W-10, although it does flash up the content for a couple of seconds. Couldn't open it. So!! Decided to start again with our (Milly and me) village cartoon adventures. Took me two days just to reproduce the characters. Good thing I had a hard copy. Then started on the actual stories. There are 20 in all. Been in contact with a company in Korea. They produce first class animations. High hopes for Milly's future with this.

 

Fortunately, my novel 'Orbital' has been saved, as has 'Memoirs of a Priest', on another flash-drive. I'll sort them out later. But I must say goodbye to the pics forever. I'm wondering if this cloud thing is worth considering for saving work.

 

I've just about given up on opening the flash-drive so I'll be occupied in all my spare time for a couple of weeks, redoing all the work.

 

Bye y'all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sterling]

A dash cam is definitely worth it nowadays with the number of scammers about trying for an easy pay day.

I bought a Viofo A119S last year on recommendation from dashcamtalk.com

They do constant reviews and updates and have a "Best of" every year with several recommendations based on your usage.

 

For you USB flash drive, have you tried booting up a computer into Linux and seeing if it can read your files?

If you have a computer with an optical drive, just download an Ubuntu ISO, burn it to CD, boot the computer from the CD and see if that will read your flash drive. Good luck!