Diary of a farang in Isaan

[champers]

1 minute ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Don’t forget about Joe Johnson, one of Bradford’s finest !!

My favourite summariser on Eurosport's snooker coverage.

[Andrew Dwyer]

2 minutes ago, champers said:

My favourite summariser on Eurosport's snooker coverage.

I hope he throws the odd “ ey up “ and “ sithee” in there !

[champers]

2 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I hope he throws the odd “ ey up “ and “ sithee” in there !

There's no mistaking he's from Yaarksher. 

[Andrew Dwyer]

Just now, champers said:

There's no mistaking he's from Yaarksher. 

Yeah, he even has a slight Pakistani look about him ????

[champers]

Just now, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yeah, he even has a slight Pakistani look about him ????

I remember when he was World Champ it came out there was some Indian ancestry. Goggle will know.

[champers]

5 minutes ago, champers said:

I remember when he was World Champ it came out there was some Indian ancestry. Goggle will know.

Adopted at birth in 1952, biological Dad from Pakistan.

[Andrew Dwyer]

9 minutes ago, champers said:

I remember when he was World Champ it came out there was some Indian ancestry. Goggle will know.

“Johnson owns a snooker club called Cue Gardens in Bradford and runs a coaching academy. When Johnson is away commentating for Eurosport, Richard Harrison runs the snooker academy.^[3]Adopted at birth - his biological father was Malik Farook, of Pakistani descent - [1] Johnson is married with five sons and two daughters.^[18]”

 

^{according to Wiki} 

 

^{beat to to it champers} 

Edited December 17, 2020 by Andrew Dwyer
slow off the mark

[owl sees all]

13 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yeah, he even has a slight Pakistani look about him ????

I think more like Turkish. Just like Boris. Don't think related though.

Edited December 18, 2020 by owl sees all

[faraday]

 

 

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

I think more like Turkish. Just like Boris. Don't think related though.

 I rather fancy that Boris sees himself as a latter day 

Roman Republican,  after his "return to my plough" comment a few years ago:

 

"If, like Cincinnatus, I were to be called from my plough"

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/charlottehigginsblog/2009/apr/27/classics-boris. 

 

NB. Surprisingly, this was more than a "few years ago", it was 2009. Doesn't time fly, when one is being worried about Covid...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 18-12-2020 - Friday morning

 

The farm water pump was running great but Mrs Owl was moaning that the flow was poor. I had a look and she was right. The water pumps from pond three, and although the water is sort of clean, deposits of soil and tiny insect debris, collect on the inside of the pipe joints. I decided to take the smallest diameter pipe out and replace it with a slightly bigger one. Also, and more importantly I thought, was to put in larger diameter connectors.

 

 

The new pipe is an rubber one (yellow arrow). To the water pump (black arrow). About 120 metres in all.

 

 

Had to light a fire and warm the ends. Soften the pipes to get the larger connectors on.

 

 

Then I wired them up. Perfect! I started the pump. Double the flow at the same pump revolutions. Mrs Owl was pleased with my efforts. I could be in luck later. The way to an Isaan lady's heart is more flow.

 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

The farm next to us has moved all their rice hay.

 

Old place.

 

 

New place.

 

 

I wasn't there to see them do it; unfortunately. So no pics. Moved by hand evidently; with the aid of a wheelbarrow.

 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

Mildred had a day off school in the week. Some teacher meeting I believe (again). I had already bought some fishing line from the fishing shop. The 20 baht shop had sold out, which was a bit of a shame 'cause the line set me back 35 Baht. But onward and upward. We put up the wall-boards.

 

 

I will replace the World Map with new. But for now the poster one will have to suffice.

 

 

And inside, a board for Milly's drawings. Might be able to see my carp soon.

 

 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

Mildred and Neil were after the shrimps, crabs and snails again. 

 

 

Watch out Mil' a crab is escaping.

 

 

"Got it Dad. It's not hurt. I'll pop it back."

 

Mildred found a small snake skin on the same day.

 

 

But then!!!! Neil found a much bigger one.

 

 

"What ya gonna do with it Neil?" "I dunno. Take it home and make a fashion belt; or something."

 

Mrs Owl said it was a cobra skin. I think a rat snake. Strange about snakes. Didn't see one for months, then see three in quick succession. Saw a very slim green one in the farm at 10 this morning. Just managed to miss it with the pick up.

 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

Spotted a Jeep in Ban Dung. Very well looked after indeed. Might be as it was back in the day.

 

 

Sure it must belong to an American gent'.

 

 

Very trusting these Americans. And they don't even play cricket.

 

 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

Finally picked up my new grubber attachment from Fix Kola. Early stages yet.

 Get around to finishing it soon.

 

 

Just so busy at the mo'. Next week I reckon.

 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

Can see the salt works from our farm. I'll have to get over there and have a butchers at the week end. Always exciting things going on there.

 

 

Some giant Yang trees too.

 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

The Buddha, at the end of our 'super highway', is coming along nicely.

 

 

Travelers along our super road, between the villages, will be spoilt for choice soon. Buddha at one end; buddha in the middle and this one.

 

 

Lottery winners all over soon.

 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

They are fixing the water leak outside. Mrs Owl made a 100 baht contribution to their work. "Teerak?" I said. "I was under the impression that if there was a problem our side of the water meter it was down to us. The other side of the water meter was the water man's responsibility." "What you saying farang? What you know about water!?" That finished the conversation on the water leak. Forever I hope.

 

The guy that died last week got a good send off. Music for the adults and a bouncy castle for the children. Too noisy for me that music. I was listening to Van the man, at home with the headphones, and I could still hear it. 300 metres away.

 

The naughty Brother in Law is still at his mothers'. Has not ventured out yet. The Misses thinks he is shy.

 

England is locked down. My home town of Dagenham is suffering big time. Only the fishing seems unaffected. Boris is tightening the screws.

 

Has The Don conceded? I don't know. But my 4 squid wager is still in the account. 

 

Our cutting man has a day to go until finished the euca farms. He is helping with the water leak at present. So maybe not today. That's thirteen days he's been cutting now.

 

The Mrs has just told me that the Thai weather forecast big rain, in our area, before the end of the year. Can't beat accurate weather forecasting.

 

Take care out there.

 

Bye y'all.

 

 

[bluesofa]

32 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Owl Log - 18-12-2020 - Friday morning

{snipped}

 

Then I wired them up. Perfect! I started the pump. Double the flow at the same pump revolutions. Mrs Owl was pleased with my efforts. I could be in luck later. The way to an Isaan lady's heart is more flow.

More flow - I thought that was down to Tamosolin? Those not in the know can google it.

[owl sees all]

34 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

More flow - I thought that was down to Tamosolin? Those not in the know can google it.

The thing is this.

 

The pump will do more work if the engine side is working harder. However, it is not a good idea to stop the pressure of water within the pump. So a little bit of squirting out here and there is OK. The flow, with this set up, is about 40 liters a minute. The same pump at the same speed will pump 240 liters a minute through a two inch diameter pipe. 

 

So even now it is terribly wasteful. Really, it the wrong type of pump for a garden hose. But this is Thailand after all.

 

I'm looking at a solar pump. One that floats on the water.

[bluesofa]

15 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

The thing is this.

 

The pump will do more work if the engine side is working harder. However, it is not a good idea to stop the pressure of water within the pump. So a little bit of squirting out here and there is OK. The flow, with this set up, is about 40 liters a minute. The same pump at the same speed will pump 240 liters a minute through a two inch diameter pipe. 

 

So even now it is terribly wasteful. Really, it the wrong type of pump for a garden hose. But this is Thailand after all.

 

I'm looking at a solar pump. One that floats on the water.

Regarding a solar pump.

I've read quite a bit regarding solar hot water in Thailand. I did some testing a few years back, but due to lack of cash never got the LDPE pipe fitted onto our rear porch roof.

You can see the text in the image below regarding the temperature. The testing itself on the round patio was a big success.
The tap in the top left of the photo was the water out, where I tested the temperature.
The pipe going into the centre of the coil was the mains water in (fed from our water storage tanks then via the pump feeding the rest of the house).
 

However, I have read some people have used a solar pump to circulate the hot water from the black LDPE into an insulated storage tank, to provided more hot water.
As only a small flow rate was needed, I don't know if 40 litres/minute that you mentioned is what a small solar-powered pimp can easily provide?

The pump in the second image is one that Amorn was selling. They also sell a large range of solar panels too, although they are more expensive.
If you went down that route, make sure the solar panel is located somewhere it can't 'disappear' easily overnight.

I'm sure someone with more knowledge could comment.

 

[sotonowl]

Well Yippee, seldom does my little footy team win and seldom do I post, well we won today so I thought I'd go for the double.

In line with recent discussions with reference to snooker and wood I have recently found myself in the market for a new snooker cue. Whilst surfing around the internet looking for a bargain I came across a few mentions of Thai manufacturers. A company called Maximus apparently makes really good cues. Not sure what part of the country the factory is but was wondering if anyone else had heard of them? I could potentially get one bought in LOS and get it sent over maybe if the price is right or should I just stop being a perisher and buy one in the UK. The problem is of course, I'm a Yorkshire man (again recently mentioned) and I just can't help myself.

Anyway, happy 3 points, I can feel the alcohol calling.????

UTO, FTb, WAWAW & WTID. 

[Odysseus123]

All farmers love rain-within limits...

 

We have had between 350-400 ml in my rural area in OZ over the last 7 days-the earth is so thirsty that it is just lapping it up-NO bushfires this year and the next thank God....

 

I note that the rain has spread right across the country-up to the "Top End" where HP resides..

 

Regards to all and wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

 

[Odysseus123]

[Odysseus123]

[bluesofa]

1 minute ago, Odysseus123 said:

I see you've put some red and white lights around the vent pipe for your septic tank. Very festive!

[Odysseus123]

[Odysseus123]

[Odysseus123]

8 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

I see you've put some red and white lights around the vent pipe for your septic tank. Very festive!

Repeat after me...boring...but monstrously.Englishy boring.

 

Have you ever taken a photo in your life or ever contributed to anything??

 

Nevertheless, all the very best for Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[bluesofa]

11 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

Repeat after me...boring...but monstrously.Englishy boring.

 

Have you ever taken a photo in your life or ever contributed to anything??

 

Nevertheless, all the very best for Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thanks!

Didn't you see my photo a couple of posts before yours, of the solar hot water experiment in the garden? It wasn't taken at night though and  I didn't have 100 metres of lights to put on the LDPE pipe!

 

[Odysseus123]

1 minute ago, bluesofa said:

Thanks!

Didn't you see my photo a couple of posts before yours, of the solar hot water experiment in the garden? It wasn't taken at night though and  I didn't have 100 metres of lights to put on the LDPE pipe!

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

You will get  it in the end.

 

Best of luck with your water pipe...sigh...

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 23-12-2020 - Wednesday afternoon

 

Christmas week. Already bought Mrs Owl her pressie; a hand bag. A Louie Vittum one. Only the best for the Mrs. It was a bit expensive. Marked up at 219 baht. Bargaining occurred; as it does here. A snip at 200. That's over 20 bags now.

 

Didn't get off so lightly with Mildred. The school teacher talked her into being the flag holder when they do their annual march through the town next week. Dress and boot hire 500 baht. By the time I'd found out about it all, the misses had paid the dosh to the hire shop. Early; so no other girl could grab the best ones. And, of course to render my protestations, useless.

 

A new cat has joined the Owl household. We have named him 'Newjack', after snake catcher Jack of old, who went walk-a-bout, look for a snake, and never came back. Perhaps grabbed the wrong snake?

 

 

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

A bit sad this morning. As we were walking to the bus stop we noticed a lady saying nice things to a duck. "What's she saying Mil'?" "She is saying 'sorry' and 'you could come back as a lovely human'."

 

The children were waiting for the bus as we arrived. And it's on its way. Mildred in pink on this side.

 

 

The bus arrived and children boarded. "Bye Mil', love you."

 

And then I walked back into the village. Passed the duck.

 

 

Dear me! That was quack!

 

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

The ladies were waiting for the walking monk when I walked past with Mildred. He had been and gone, when I  returned. Although still some stuff going on.

 

 

The food man was busy.

 

 

Everyone wrapped up well.

 

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

On the way to Bandung, I stopped to see how the sugar people were getting on. Talk about slow!? Last year there was a two day wait to get the sugar weighed and unloaded. This year the big wagons are parked up. Sugar is just filtering in from the farms.

 

 

fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

We have been cutting the grass in farm two. Four guys took nearly three days to cut the 18 rai. It does look good after cutting.

 

 

Palm nuts around 6 baht at the mo'. So that's 300% higher than two years ago. And as more and more motorists get the B10 and B20 into their tanks, it might go higher. Roll on B50!!! Of course the five year deal with buying oil from Malaysia has ended, so that had an input.

 

The eucas along the road of number two have been sorted.

 

 

They are slow to grow. Lack of nutrients in the soil the main reason, but they will grow in time. Not like their cousins in farm one and four, where the bigger trees are now well over three metres high.

 

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

Som has a trailer and will carry anything to anywhere. Had a break from the sugar and loaded up with eucas. That was my tractor before. Long story!!

 

 

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

Had a bike ride around the village, and snapped the new houses that had been built this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The village is becoming posh!  Although that last one has a lean look.

 

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

Went into 7/11 to pay the leccy bill yesterday. Just couldn't resist having a look at the kois in Cafe Amazon's pond.

 

 

And, while I had the camera out, why not snap a couple of pick-ups doing a day's work?

 

 

 

They do work hard up here.

 

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

"Mrs Owl? Milly can't find her favourite cat and my rat is missing. Have you seen them?" "Washed!  Your red pillow too. Smelled. "

 

.

 

Pegged up by the ears!

 

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

The misses saw a guy cutting his lawn. Stopped for a butchers.

 

 

Mrs owl was full of questions.

 

"Is it easy to drive?" "Yes! Very easy. Can do it with eyes closed."

 

 

"Right then, I want one." "Man says, on Lazada. only cheap."

 

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

Last rain was 18th October. Just as well for the roof problem. Looks terrible from the rear. I'll get to it soon enough. Next year!

 

 

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

 

Think farmers here have to be more clued up.

 

Last year with more sugar than you put in a billion cups of Rosy, the price was 600 baht a tonne. To make matters worse the yields were poor. So! Out with the sugar, and in with rice? Glut of rice this year, and prices poor. But sugar is 1,100 baht a tonne, and cassava 2.5 baht. Can't complain either, with oil palm nuts at over 6 baht. There will be family discussions, and I'm sure sugar growing will be the biz for next season. But!! With no rain for 10 weeks and the ground rock hard, it's not a good move IMO. Stunted growth.

 

Growing sugar is specialist work. I've see Indian sugar get to four metres on YT. And the yields in Oz are far better than in Isaan.

 

The naughty Brother-in-law has finally ventured out. He is gonna become a monk!!!! I can hear the commotion at his mother's house right now. It's less than 50 metres away. Village people do love a bit if nostalgia here. Must be at least 60 people milling around. Food for all also. The Mrs has just rushed in. "Farang!!!! Ood," (the BinL) "is just about to have his hair cut by a monk. Want to see?" "It's Ok teerak, you can tell me all about it later." Best I stay out of it.

 

And finally it happened. The big event of the week. They have fixed the water leak outside.

 

A christmas day special Owl Log on this later this week, coupled with the BinL's monk thing.

 

It's here at last. Christmas! A bit slow coming this year.

 

Thanks for all the posts with those bright coloured boxes and decorations. Warms my heart.

 

I think the same each year. Well done Adam and Eve for giving us the modern calendar (based on Eve's menstrual cycle) that makes it all possible. So well done you two. I'll be raising a glass of reishi wine to you for this, on the 25th. But, I hear you say, will Owl be awake, and indeed sober, at 10, when the queen gives her good-will message to her subjects?

 

Bye y'all.

 

Stay safe. Don't have any 'H' (can't say the full word)!? Never mind; drink lots of reishi wine with Lao Khow chasers. Keep those nasties at bay.

 

Edited December 23, 2020 by owl sees all

[Sterling]

Nice post as always Owl! How much do you think it cost to have those houses built (exclusive of the land)? 

[GarryP]

1 minute ago, Sterling said:

Nice post as always Owl! How much do you think it cost to have those houses built (exclusive of the land)? 

For those houses with the more modern look (house 1. and 3.) there is quite a range in pricing depending on materials (called Style Modern in Thai). No. 1 probably not much more than 500K,  but no. 3 probably triple (two story houses are more expensive as building prices calculated on a square meter basis).  Some use cinder blocks, some go for red brick while others go for autoclaved aerated concrete blocks all depending how much they have to spend on the build and their preference. I would go for AAC blocks because of insulation benefits, but they are more expensive.  

 

There are some really good facebook pages I am following at the moment for people looking to have a house built.  I retire in 2 years and will be having a house built in Kalasin then, so I have already started looking into options.    

[owl sees all]

14 minutes ago, Sterling said:

Nice post as always Owl! How much do you think it cost to have those houses built (exclusive of the land)? 

House building in these parts is very cheap. The houses presented would average out at about 600k baht. The second one down was not a complete new build.

 

It depends if a builder is engaged or the family muck in.

 

Bluesofa would be the guy the ask.

Edited December 23, 2020 by owl sees all

[Will27]

Thanks again Owl.

 

That lawn cutter looks right up my alley.

I might have a gander on Lazada and see if I can find one.

 

All the breast for Xmas and NY.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - Christmas Day special - Part 1

 

It is here. The glorious 25th. Christmas Day.

 

The naughty brother-in-law had been so naughty, that the only way to save face was to become a monk; for a while. How long for? Mrs Owl says five years. I think more like 4 weeks. Before the urge to become naughty again becomes irresistible. But, am I being a tad disingenuous? Perhaps there are real intensions of turning his life around?! He owes me 50k baht, so I have a small interest. We will see.

 

No one from his home, in Chaiapoom, came along. No wife, no grown-up children no friends.

 

The day started with a gathering of the family members, and others. Food was plentiful and I noticed a couple of bottle of Lao Khow in the bin. Very discreet sipping of the nectar at this solemn occasion.

 

 

 

 

This was all at mother's house. Plenty of support from the villagers.

 

 

Then it was the cutting of the hair.

 

All those present had a snip. Mrs Owl had a go.

 

 

Then off to the temple for; I'm not sure. I asked the Misses. She said it was for her brother to familiarize himself with the compound (but not in those words). I'm not so sure though. A part of the whole ritual. Perhaps a blessing!?

 

 

A bit of music from the gong raised the excitement level.

 

 

Mrs Owl's mum in the middle. Mum's sisters on either side.

 

A splash of colour.

 

 

 

The odd mask wearing.

 

Then just like that, is was all over. Perfect opportunity for a group family photo shot.

 

 

Top. A  monk.

 

From top left to right. Noi, Neng, Mrs Owl's mother, Mrs Owl, Pook, Wow.

 

Dip, Sister land holding Chelsea, Beeapp, Guy, Guy's wife, Nan.

 

Farang Owl noticeably missing.

 

And that just about wraps it up.

 

Not too much xmas pud now fellow farangs.

 

Bye y'all. 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 25, 2020 by owl sees all

[bluesofa]

17 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

 

The odd mask wearing.

I just have to say this: The girl wearing the mask has really beautiful eyes.