Diary of a farang in Isaan

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - TWTYTW - A Look Back Over 2020 -  May, June, July

 

I've gone back over the months and selected a few pics and words, that reflect both the posters and the thread. Please forgive me for reducing the size of some pics.

 

The children were off school due to the covid bug. Some days we were going to the farm with a pick-up full.

 

 

When there, the children were enjoying themselves in the water.

 

 

Frollicking is the best word to describe the activities.

 

Then at the end of the day, it was my job to get them home safely.

 

 

May saw a new road built through our part of the village.

 

 

And also in May I managed to finally get Neil's bike repaired.

 

 

May also gave us sadness. Bluesofa posted on the 13th:

"I’m really sorry to have to tell everyone that Assurancetourix has died.

 

I emailed him yesterday but he didn’t reply, so I just phoned him now. According to his wife he apparently had a stomach infection for a few days. He went to the hospital who gave him some pills and said it would be OK. It got worse and he went back to the hospital again.

He died on 6 May. His name was Michel, he was 71. I only met him once, in February when he came to visit me from Sakon Nakhon where lived.
RIP."

 

 

I'm sure we will echo that bluesofa.

 

Sold the Kabota in June. A bargain at 12k baht. Didn't get any dosh for it right then, but I'm told I will get it before the end of the year.

 

 

It was at the end of May that the 12,000 eucalyptuses arrived.

 

 

The first week in June saw the team getting stuck into the planting.

 

 

And at rest.

 

 

Kadilo was back in the UK and posted a pic of the lovely Essex countryside, just to make me homesick..

 

 

Two sets of roof repairs during this time. This side of the house easier.

 

 

Dead carp at the farm. Low water and lack of oxygen. Must not let it happen next year at spawning time.

 

 

Thai beach lover left the thread. Too much football chat he said. It was all Sotonowl's doing. This pic tipped him over the edge.

 

 

All the villages were getting a mozzie treatment. Didn't want malaria and dengue on top of covid.

 

 

But these machines are so fickle.

 

 

Definitely a lot less drinking in the village now than a couple of years back. A step in the right direction. Just Grazing put in a nice pic, to warn us off the demon drink.

 

 

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

Liverpool were crowned the champs. Bournemouth went down and Leeds arrived. Sport continued, but under very strange circumstances.

 

The UK Government did a few new covid U-turns. Eat out at half price. Get some fresh air into your lungs. More talk of vaccines; preparing people for the big push. Brexit almost forgotten. In the US; talk of the election got underway.

 

Thailand people just got on with things the best they could. Some political demos in Bangkok. A Thai official was made head of the WHO; Asia section. Or was it the S. E. Asia section? Still no-one wearing masks in the villages. Very relaxed all round considering.
 

Talk of bars and businesses closing. But the Chinese will soon kick-start the tourist industry; TAT says!

 

Schools closed. Mildred being home-taught. Mrs Owl on the prowl.

 

Very dry start to the wet season. Everyone waiting for the rain, which will surely arrive soon.

 

More to follow.

 

Bye y'all.

Edited December 30, 2020 by owl sees all

[sotonowl]

???? I'd love to claim 100% credit for getting shut of TBL Owl but I fear I just had a bit part in it. Probably around 5% of the blame can be proportioned to me. ????????????

[faraday]

Did you ever get the dosh for the Kabota, or is that an ongoing promise?

[Will27]

1 hour ago, faraday said:

Did you ever get the dosh for the Kabota, or is that an ongoing promise?

 

"Sold the Kabota in June. A bargain at 12k baht. Didn't get any dosh for it right then, but I'm told I will get it before the end of the year."

 

Well Faraday,  looks as if he's got until midnight tonight.

 

We all know he's got more chance of growing another dick than to see the Bugs Bunny.

 

[Odysseus123]

9 hours ago, owl sees all said:

ve gone back over the months and selected a few pics and words, that reflect both the posters and the thread. Please forgive me for reducing the size of some pics.

A wonderful pictorial round-up Owl with many contributions from the various posters...

It was great to see some of Michel's "The Lonely Bicycle" series once again and thank you for including two of mine.

 

All the best for 2021,everyone.

 

Take Care,

Ody.

[Andrew Dwyer]

Another great reflection of the strangest year on record Owl !

 

I don’t know if that as we get older the passing of friends becomes more painful, or is it that it questions our own mortality ??

I learned recently of a friend’s passing as he was working in Germany and the struggle involved of trying to repatriate his body ( still ongoing ) with his family here in Thailand. Family and friends will travel from the uk to Thailand for the service, of course 14 days quarantine will delay closure for his friends, his wife and teenage son in particular. A year younger than me and with no obvious health issues , makes me think about my own health and taking advantage of the time we have left here !!

 

Anyway, I felt particularly sad at Michels passing even though i had never met him I felt a certain affinity with him through his photos and recollections of his daily life. At 74 years old ( IIRC ) and thousands of km on an old pushbike under his belt made him appear invincible ! 
I think TBL’s downfall was his reactions against Michel’s The Lonely Bicycle ( great name Ody ! ) photos, the football rant was just the final straw.

 

A happy and prosperous ( I’d settle for safe ) new year to one and all .

 

Andy

[bluesofa]

31 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Another great reflection of the strangest year on record Owl !

 

I don’t know if that as we get older the passing of friends becomes more painful, or is it that it questions our own mortality ??

I learned recently of a friend’s passing as he was working in Germany and the struggle involved of trying to repatriate his body ( still ongoing ) with his family here in Thailand. Family and friends will travel from the uk to Thailand for the service, of course 14 days quarantine will delay closure for his friends, his wife and teenage son in particular. A year younger than me and with no obvious health issues , makes me think about my own health and taking advantage of the time we have left here !!

 

Anyway, I felt particularly sad at Michels passing even though i had never met him I felt a certain affinity with him through his photos and recollections of his daily life. At 74 years old ( IIRC ) and thousands of km on an old pushbike under his belt made him appear invincible ! 
I think TBL’s downfall was his reactions against Michel’s The Lonely Bicycle ( great name Ody ! ) photos, the football rant was just the final straw.

 

A happy and prosperous ( I’d settle for safe ) new year to one and all .

 

Andy

(I've posted these details before, but I think it's worth repeating)

Michel belonged to a Thai cycling group. They went to pay homage to the late Rama IX.
They cycled from Sakon Nakhon to Bangkok and back, staying in temple grounds and anywhere else free, as they were all on a budget.

 

Michel told me that less than ten years before that, he went on a trip around Thailand with the same group. They cycled 2,300km in 19 days (~120km/day)

I made a note of the figures he told me, as it was so impressive.

For me at 62, on a recent trip around Issan with my Swiss round the world cyclist friend, we managed 800km in eight days - 100km/day. That took its toll on me.

Btw Michel was 71.
More cheese Gromit?

[owl sees all]

5 hours ago, faraday said:

Did you ever get the dosh for the Kabota, or is that an ongoing promise?

To be revealed.

[Fat is a type of crazy]

I wasn't a member of Thaivisa when Michel passed away but I was a happy reader of this post at the time. It was shocking and sudden when he passed away and a strange feeling to feel that way about someone you never met. I remember he took over for a bit when Owlseesall computer was broken. It's surprising how much people's personality comes through in posts and maybe as a reader you let your guard down a bit.

 

I have had a bit of a tedious end to the year, nothing serious, but like Kadillo I won't bore with the details. Involves TERMITES but under control. No structural damage.

Nine months without my girlfriend and still hanging in there. Talking about vegetarian food Owl there seems to be plenty of options in Ubon. She sent me pictures of her vegetarian food almost daily till I had to ask her to please stop. She was amused by that. I liked the solitude of 2020 in some ways. Working from home is fun. Took on a new job in October - double the work so less fun.

Happy new year to Owlseesall and other posters and I hope the post continues into 2021.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - TWTYTW - A Look Back Over 2020 -  August, September, October

 

I've gone back over the months and selected a few pics and words, that reflect both the posters and the thread. Please forgive me for reducing the size of some pics.

 

Water at last! August was wet. It didn't make up for the previous seven months, but well done rain gods for answering the Isaan prayers.

 

 

With the rain comes wet ground. Mud even!  Can be sticky. Especially for pick-up wheels. The pick-up got itself stuck again. Guy pulled it out.

 

 

Parked outside a large restaurant in Ban Dung. The best of Germany.

 

 

FFF posted a couple of lovely pics. 'Storm a'coming' and 'Big tree'.

 

 

I don't know what problems the buddha farm had been having, but he certainly sent a clear message.

 

 

I think the message is: "If you come in here to nick my rubber. I've got a gun."

 

Kadilo was in Basildon and he kindly visited Aquatels, and snapped this telling tale. This lake was one of the leading carp venues in the South-East and it was unavailable to fishermen. Sorry saga this!

 

 

Back in Isaan; man hides in tree!?

 

 

Is he still up there after four months? I'll go check in the new year.

 

HP proud of his 200 m3 tank. Is it filled yet?

 

 

Exciting days for me personally, as I had great success fixing my favourite chair. Mrs Owl said to chuck it, but a bit of drilling and some plastic string did the bizzo.

 

 

Our farm road is busy at times. Sometimes lorries, sometimes pick-ups, sometimes cars and m/cs, but this was a first. A human-powered tuk-tuk.

 

 

Mrs Owl?? Do you think I should go help them? No comment; just a growl.

 

Bluesofa was kind enough to tell me about coffee I might like.

 

 

I've not seen it in the stores near me yet.

 

Mildred back at school. Never looks too happy about it.

 

 

Bannork posted a smashing shot of grandchildren and their friends. Off to somewhere!

 

 

What happened to parts 2 to 10 in your Isaan life story Bannork?

 

It don't get much better than this for anglers.

 

 

Enough food there for a week. Biggest ones about 700 grammes apiece.

 

Man clings to back of truck.

 

 

Don't ask! New way of getting around in town.

 

Spotted in Big C's car park. Note the mask.

 

 

Is that a disabled or child's bay?

 

Damrongsak put up an interesting pic. Stones. But not just yer ordinary stones. These were perfect for turning into interesting, decorative stones.

 

 

October rolled in, and some of the euca trees were simply magnificent. Four months in the ground.

 

 

Bloody pick-up. Stuck again. Just can't trust it to keep out of the mud. Mrs Owl looking on.

 

 

Last rain on the 18th of the month. Time to do the final bowl-emptying of the year. Much cheaper this way than getting the holes fixed.

 

 

Photo my Mildred.

 

Finally the story that brought tears to all visitors eyes.

 

 

Pleased to report that he - I'm informed - is well and is looking forward to 2021.

 

oooooooooooooooooooo

 

And so the year moved forward into autumn. Still some demos in Bangkok. Still no tourists. Talk of the high speed train. No news of the subs. The Indian people are coming to Thailand in big numbers. Cashier girls! Get ready to move back to Hua Hin. Pattaya got the nod to become a first-class tourist destination; for the family. Bali Hi Pier to be re-built.

 

In England there was talk of lock-downs. But Boris, you told us to go out and enjoy the sun!? Ah yes! But Vallance and Whitty tell me a spike is on its way. And they should know! They are first-class advisors; not like that Cummings bloke. They also want to flatten the curve. But Prime Minister? What about Piers Corbyn; he's been arrested seven times. Well yes! He is gonna be more famous than his brother Jeremy at this rate. But can either of them make a decent kebab?

 

Brexit made the news. Fishing deadlock stalls negotiations!

 

The US banter got underway. The Don speaking to 10k fans in every town. Biden in his basement with his wife or sister (not sure; neither was he) and the cameraman. Had a substantial wager on The Don. Easy money.

 

The new footy season was underway. Man City 2 - Leicester 5. There was sniggering from the red shirt supporters. But not so smug lads! United 1 - Spurs 6. And! Villa 7 - pool 2. Dear me! Leicester fans looking on contentedly; dreaming of another title. Next day Foxes 0 - Hammers 3. So London's Cockerels and Irons get the Brownie points and rule the bragging roost. We will see how it all pans out. Goals galore. Not Pussy Galore who sadly passed away in April.

 

Some rice was being  harvested but most will come in next month.

 

More to follow.

 

Bye y'all.

Edited December 31, 2020 by owl sees all

[Radar501]

 

PRIVATE PROPERTY.   NO ENTRY AT NIGHTTIME.   The image in the circle needs no translation.

 

You can get so much farther with a kind word and a gun than with a kind word alone. - Al Capone

[owl sees all]

4 minutes ago, Radar501 said:

 

PRIVATE PROPERTY.   NO ENTRY AT NIGHTTIME.   The image in the circle needs no translation.

 

You can get so much farther with a kind word and a gun than with a kind word alone. - Al Capone

That's cleared that up then Radar501.

Thanks.

[Bredbury Blue]

I know quite a few on here are anglers. 

 

I'm not by the way although my Dad and brother's are. When I was a kid, Dad took us to his club's fishing waters and tried to teach us son's fishing (my dad has sadly decided to retire from fishing this year as he is in his late 80s). I did win 6 shillings in a fishing competition when I was primary school age, but I preferred sitting there and watching the birdlife than my fishing float - I'm still a birdwatcher.

 

Anyway, I wanted to recommend a BBC series to you which now available on YouTube called 'Mortimer and Whitehouse gone fishing'. There's 3 series of 6 × 30 minute episodes and a recent 1 hour Christmas special. Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse are two famous comedians in the UK, though they usually work with other people. Both have had heart problems. The premise is that Mortimer had a triple bypass and become a bit reclusive. Whitehouse, his longtime mate, who is a keen angler, invites Mortimer to join him to travel to different parts of the UK to try to catch specific fish. They just chat and fish. It's charming, funny and sad. The star of the programme though is the UK scenery.

 

Sure you'll like it. It's a very easy relaxing watch.

 

https://youtube.com/user/tram31000

 

If the link doesn't work then Google 'Mortimer and Whitehouse gone fishing'.

 

 

(S1 Epi3 near Buxton - close to my home - is my fav, STUNNING scenery...think there's a couple of episodes near Essex and Hertfordshire for you southern lads)

 

[bannork]

Owl, Chapters 2-10 are all in my second book 'Thai Times' - Jeff Sparks. I didn't think I should post them on your thread, they take up too much space.

Got some free time to post stuff now but sorry folks, only animals and trees/ plants, don't want to put my family on display.

Owl, I presume you have a salaeng, sooo useful on the farm. Here transporting a stump of a tree for the nightly fire next to the cowshed. 

Last night the pack of Thai hyenas were chattering again. I'll try to get a recording. If it wasn't so cold I might head up to the watchtower tonight coz they're certainly nearby. 

[HighPriority]

Hi guys, great catch up posts indeed ????????
In answer to your question Owl, yes indeed my tank is filling nicely.

I finally got both sides of the roof connected to the tank on the 4 December.

The top pic shows the “Wet system” filling pipes to left and right and on the extreme left hand side is the fill gauge, the red mark about 300mm up from the ground being the internal water level, that is 30,000lt. It was supplied via truck during the construction.

The second pic shows the results of 554mm of rain for December... though the pic was taken on Monday so it’s slightly higher now !

Well over 1/2 way full ????????
We had 2 days of good rain in December, one of 110mm and one of 117mm and though the rain has eased the past couple of days the monsoon is still active. 

Edited December 31, 2020 by HighPriority
Thaivisa crappy formatting...

[Buffy Frobisher]

Apols for the blank post. Done in error.

Edited December 31, 2020 by Buffy Frobisher

[HighPriority]

35 minutes ago, Buffy Frobisher said:

Apols for the blank post. Done in error.

Geez, what a let down... ????

Dont be bashful Buffy...

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - TWTYTW - A Look Back Over 2020 -  November and December

 

I've gone back over the months and selected a few pics and words, that reflect both the posters and the thread. Please forgive me for reducing the size of some pics.

 

Last post of the year. And what a year 2020 has been? For the world, Thailand and us in our humble Isaan village.

 

One thing that stays pretty much the same is the Buddhas. This one in Udon Thani Province is a cracker. And it's still work in progress.

 

 

Really nice.

 

 

In Ban Dung the bottle garden was still growing. Bottom ones cemented in. Upper ones have a holding rod through them.

 

 

Also in Ban Dung; a cracking motor.

 

 

Night skies can be fantastic to look at. This one curtesy of FarFlungFarang or FFF.

 

 

Went to Phen for the driving licence. No probs. But on the way back!!!!!

 

 

A pair of back tyres; 5200 baht.

 

Udon has many attractions: Nutty Park, Prajek Park, The Chinese quarter and the airport. But this is what the visitors want to see.

 

 

The rice was being harvested all through November and even December this year..

 

 

So late, because the first sowing was wasted due to lack of rain. The farmers had to go at it again, once the rain was heavier.

 

Faraday treated us to a pic of his favourite meal. Making me feel hungry just posting it.

 

 

Back at our farm, a lady offered me some kadek-kadeks. Here farang. Take a handful. Can eat them boiled or roasted. Wash them down with swigs of Lao Khao. Put some lead in yer pencil.

 

 

And the tree that I definitely thought would fall this year is still standing. Mildred having a joke. She doesn't walk about like that all the time.

 

 

The fish are waiting for there grub. What's nicer than feeding the carp. Eucas in the background.

 

 

Have the wires set new records in Phen for tidiness? not one dangling down. Are you watching Ban Dung?!

 

 

Our water leak outside the house is no-more. 14 months of wasting water comes to an end. Great job guys.

 

 

Mrs Owl's brother became a monk. The misses giving him a short back and sides.

 

 

I think that boat was called the Thaitanic. Thanks Golden Triangle,

 

 

I had some personal highlights in 2020. Got some of my avocadoes growing, and did those little fixes around and on top of the house. There was a time when climbing a ladder was so easy.

 

 

And my big achievement of the year was planting over 11,000 eucalyptus trees. Or rather; paying for them to be planted. Next week will see them in the ground for six months.

 

 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

2020! A year to remember, looking back from the future. For us Englanders it will be just like; 1963, 1966, 1976 and 2016. Roll on 2021. The big reset. World poverty at an end. Power from the sun all over and clean water for everyone.

 

On a personal level, I want to watch my eucas and kois grow well, and Mildred continue developing into a nice, kind person.

 

For the village; keep growing in prosperity. For Isaan; rain, and plenty of it. For Thailand; get on with the high speed train from Nong Khai to Bangkok. Contemplate taking on a partner for that moon shot; China perhaps? And let's see those subs cruising up the Mekong.

 

Liverpool top the EPL. Blades at the bottom; don't look good for them SotonOwl. But will you be playing them next season?

 

Richard Barrow has got a recognition, as has Hamilton.

 

The English Parliament has just voted through Boris's Brexit plans.

 

Covid has paralysed the UK. My old town of Dagenham is locked down. The bug has began to mutate. Oh dear!

 

The Don has still not relinquished the US Presidency. My 4 squid wager lives on.

 

And what of the thread? I'll keep it going, if you lot out there keep reading it. You had better or the mafioso will get you.

 

 

Next post ---- next year.

 

Bye y'all

 

oooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

People lost during 2020. All, in some way had influenced my thinking and made me what I am today.

 

Des O'connor
Alan Minter
Bobby Ball
Frank Bough
Albert Uderzo
Ray Clemence
Jack Charlton
Terry Jones
Harry Gregg
Kirk Douglas
Maurice Setters
Sean Connery
Chris Barker
Kenny Rogers
Peter Bonetti
Tim Brooke-Taylor
Stirling Moss
Eddie Large
Milly Small

Little Richard
Trevor Cherry
Tony Waiters
Don Talbot
Everton Weekes
Diana Rigg
Ian Holm
Frank Windsor
Trini Lopez

JJ Williams
Papa Boube Diop
Jill Gascoine
Peter Green
Eric Hall
Helen Reddy
Gérard Houllier
Norman Hunter
Bill Withers
Honor Blackman
Barbara Windsor
Willie Thorne
Dave Prowse
Spencer Davis
Julian Bream
Diego Maradona
Nobby Styles
Wayne Fontana
AT

 

Edited December 31, 2020 by owl sees all

[bwpage3]

4 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Owl Log - TWTYTW - A Look Back Over 2020 -  November and December

 

I've gone back over the months and selected a few pics and words, that reflect both the posters and the thread. Please forgive me for reducing the size of some pics.

 

Last post of the year. And what a year 2020 has been? For the world, Thailand and us in our humble Isaan village.

 

One thing that stays pretty much the same is the Buddhas. This one in Udon Thani Province is a cracker. And it's still work in progress.

 

 

Really nice.

 

 

In Ban Dung the bottle garden was still growing. Bottom ones cemented in. Upper ones have a holding rod through them.

 

 

Also in Ban Dung; a cracking motor.

 

 

Night skies can be fantastic to look at. This one curtesy of FarFlungFarang or FFF.

 

 

Went to Phen for the driving licence. No probs. But on the way back!!!!!

 

 

A pair of back tyres; 5200 baht.

 

Udon has many attractions: Nutty Park, Prajek Park, The Chinese quarter and the airport. But this is what the visitors want to see.

 

 

The rice was being harvested all through November and even December this year..

 

 

So late, because the first sowing was wasted due to lack of rain. The farmers had to go at it again, once the rain was heavier.

 

Faraday treated us to a pic of his favourite meal. Making me feel hungry lust posting it.

 

 

Back at our farm, a lady offered me some kadek-kadeks. Here farang. Take a handful. Can eat them boiled or roasted. Wash them down with swigs of Lao Khao. Put some lead in yer pencil.

 

 

And the tree that I definitely thought would fall this year is still standing.

 

 

The fish are waiting for there grub. What's nicer than feeding the carp. Eucas in the background.

 

 

Have the wires set new records in Phen for tidiness? not one dangling down. Are you watching Ban Dung?!

 

 

Our water leak outside the house is no-more. 14 months of wasting water comes to an end. Great job guys.

 

 

Mrs Owl's brother became a monk. The misses giving him a short back and sides.

 

 

I think that boat was called the Thaitanic. Thanks Golden Triangle,

 

 

I had some personal highlights in 2020. Got some of my avocadoes growing, and did those little fixes around and on top of the house. There was a time when climbing a ladder was so easy.

 

 

And my big achievement of the year was planting over 11,000 eucalyptus trees. Or rather; paying for them to be planted. Next week will see them in the ground for six months.

 

 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

2020! A year to remember, looking back from the future. For us Englanders just like; 1963, 1966, 1976 and 2016. Roll on 2021. The big reset. World poverty at an end. Power from the sun all over and clean water for everyone.

 

On a personal level, I want to watch my eucas and kois grow well, and Mildred continue developing into a nice, kind person.

 

For the village; keep growing in prosperity. For Isaan; rain, and plenty of it. For Thailand; get on with the high speed train from Nong Khai to Bangkok. Contemplate taking on a partner for that moon shot; China perhaps? And let's see those subs cruising up the Mekong.

 

Liverpool top the EPL. Blades at the bottom; don't look good for them SotonOwl.

 

Richard Barrow has got a recognition, as has Hamilton.

 

The English Parliament has just voted through Boris's Brexit plans.

 

Covid has paralysed the UK. My old town of Dagenham is locked down. The bug has began to mutate. Oh dear!

 

The Don has still not relinquished the US Presidency. My 4 squid wager lives on.

 

And what of the thread? I'll keep it going, if you lot out there keep reading it. You had better or the mafioso will get you.

 

 

Next post ---- next year.

 

Bye y'all

 

oooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

People lost during 2020. All, in some way had influenced my thinking and made me what I am today.

 

Des O'connor
Alan Minter
Bobby Ball
Frank Bough
Albert Uderzo
Ray Clemence
Jack Charlton
Terry Jones
Harry Gregg
Kirk Douglas
Maurice Setters
Sean Connery
Chris Barker
Kenny Rogers
Peter Bonetti
Tim Brooke-Taylor
Stirling Moss
Eddie Large
Milly Small

Little Richard
Trevor Cherry
Tony Waiters
Don Talbot
Everton Weekes
Diana Rigg
Ian Holm
Frank Windsor
Trini Lopez

JJ Williams
Papa Boube Diop
Jill Gascoine
Peter Green
Eric Hall
Helen Reddy
Gérard Houllier
Norman Hunter
Bill Withers
Honor Blackman
Barbara Windsor
Willie Thorne
Dave Prowse
Spencer Davis
Julian Bream
Diego Maradona
Nobby Styles
Wayne Fontana
AT

 

I appreciate all your photos and stories.

 

Even more your upbeat attitude how you make the best of your life and Thailand in general.

 

 

[Lacessit]

Christmas dinner, mussuman curry and rice made by my GF. A bit different to the crayfish and salad with a Vasse Felix dry white I would have in Australia. Hot there, cold here.

Cold in Thailand, you say? Chiang Rai, you'd better believe it.

[owl sees all]

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Christmas dinner, mussuman curry and rice made by my GF. A bit different to the crayfish and salad with a Vasse Felix dry white I would have in Australia. Hot there, cold here.

Cold in Thailand, you say? Chiang Rai, you'd better believe it.

Looks tasty. It's a bit chilly here near the river too.

 

Mrs Owl has just done me a chilli sarnie. "That will warm you up farang."

[owl sees all]

28 minutes ago, bwpage3 said:

I appreciate all your photos and stories.

 

Even more your upbeat attitude how you make the best of your life and Thailand in general.

 

 

Thanks bwpage3.

 

I think 2021 is gonna be a trifle testing as well. The village boss came round in the week and took my PP details and snapped both my driving licence and pink card. I think its because we (farang) will have to pay for the vaccine. Mrs Owl is not rushing to find out what it's all about,

[faraday]

3 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Thanks bwpage3.

 

I think 2021 is gonna be a trifle testing as well. The village boss came round in the week and took my PP details and snapped both my driving licence and pink card. I think its because we (farang) will have to pay for the vaccine. Mrs Owl is not rushing to find out what it's all about,

 

Don't worry Owl, Anutin has negotiated a $17 per dose deal.

This equates to 17000.00 baht for us....555!

 

 

[owl sees all]

8 minutes ago, faraday said:

 

Don't worry Owl, Anutin has negotiated a $17 per dose deal.

This equates to 17000.00 baht for us....555!

 

 

I'm waiting for the barbed wire to be erected around the house.

[Kadilo]

I hear you say it’s cold you snowflakes. Just back from a 50km ride. Currently -1 at 230pm and a lot colder in the wind. Still something very therapeutic being at the river front on a cold crisp day. Many people out  walking enjoying their time off not put off by the Covid gloom everywhere you turn. 

 

In memory of AT a couple of bike selfies sadly not in his quality, just a click and go on an old iPhone but you get the picture .......and the pun. 

 

I think I mentioned before that those beach huts at Shoebury sell for approx £70,000, yes around 3 million baht, and they don’t stay for sale long!

 

Sone brilliant older people swimming in the icy water, singing and enjoying themselves. A very British thing and although the Government banned the organised ones for charity on Boxing Day,    yes you guessed it because of the dreaded “C” word, many still managed to do their  own thing with some friends. Fair play to them. 

 

Some  proper fishermen out on the beach braving the cold. The codling are just arriving so hopefully they will get their just rewards and bag a couple. 

 

Thanks to BB for his Mortimer and Whitehouse reminder. I’ve heard others say what a good watch it is. 

 

Also thanks to Owl and all the contributors that make this thread what it is, real,  humble and a pleasant place to wind down. 

 

All the best. 

[owl sees all]

29 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

I hear you say it’s cold you snowflakes. Just back from a 50km ride. Currently -1 at 230pm and a lot colder in the wind. Still something very therapeutic being at the river front on a cold crisp day. Many people out  walking enjoying their time off not put off by the Covid gloom everywhere you turn. 

 

In memory of AT a couple of bike selfies sadly not in his quality, just a click and go on an old iPhone but you get the picture .......and the pun. 

 

I think I mentioned before that those beach huts at Shoebury sell for approx £70,000, yes around 3 million baht, and they don’t stay for sale long!

 

Sone brilliant older people swimming in the icy water, singing and enjoying themselves. A very British thing and although the Government banned the organised ones for charity on Boxing Day,    yes you guessed it because of the dreaded “C” word, many still managed to do their  own thing with some friends. Fair play to them. 

 

Some  proper fishermen out on the beach braving the cold. The codling are just arriving so hopefully they will get their just rewards and bag a couple. 

 

Thanks to BB for his Mortimer and Whitehouse reminder. I’ve heard others say what a good watch it is. 

 

Also thanks to Owl and all the contributors that make this thread what it is, real,  humble and a pleasant place to wind down. 

 

All the best. 

 

That dragon is following you around Kadilo.

 

[Kadilo]

3 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

 

That dragon is following you around Kadilo.

 

555 I dare not show my partner that pic or she will freak out. 

[Odysseus123]

6 hours ago, owl sees all said:

And what of the thread? I'll keep it going, if you lot out there keep reading it.

I certainly hope that you do and I appreciate the tremendous amount of work that you put into the thread.

It is pretty much the only connection now that I have with Thailand on the forum.

I also hope that Kadilo (and others) make it home in 2021.

 

I smiled because the village "mafioso" is my Thai grand nephew and he has the personality to boot!

Life is a river...

 

 

[Odysseus123]

10 hours ago, HighPriority said:

Hi guys, great catch up posts indeed ????????
In answer to your question Owl, yes indeed my tank is filling nicely.

I finally got both sides of the roof connected to the tank on the 4 December.

The top pic shows the “Wet system” filling pipes to left and right and on the extreme left hand side is the fill gauge, the red mark about 300mm up from the ground being the internal water level, that is 30,000lt. It was supplied via truck during the construction.

The second pic shows the results of 554mm of rain for December... though the pic was taken on Monday so it’s slightly higher now !

Well over 1/2 way full ????????
We had 2 days of good rain in December, one of 110mm and one of 117mm and though the rain has eased the past couple of days the monsoon is still active. 

That's a bluddy big tank!

[owl sees all]

11 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Christmas dinner, mussuman curry and rice made by my GF. A bit different to the crayfish and salad with a Vasse Felix dry white I would have in Australia. Hot there, cold here.

Cold in Thailand, you say? Chiang Rai, you'd better believe it.

Now! Do you tip the rice over the curry? Or curry over the rice. Either way; yum yum.