It is really difficult for these tired old eyes to make out...however I shall take your word for it.

Real jackals or wild dogs-and I do not mean to question you in any way..?

 

Wild dogs are a real pest up on the escarpment here-they are continually using 1080 baits to control them.

 

Hunters take their mastiff/bulldog/bull terriers up into the bush and then (for one reason or another) leave them where they become the terrors of the wild....

46 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

'put thoughts into my heard'

We were always told it would make you go deaf. Looks like your enforced holiday has affected your spelling, Owl. (as opposed to spelling bee)

You are right as usual bluesofa. My spelling has deteriorated recently. Well, perhaps not just recently. It's always been iffy. Didn't like the English teacher at school, and spent most of my English lessons looking at Dorothy's golden locks and wondering if she plucked her underarm hair.

 

Mildred got off to school OK this morning. This afternoon, when I go to pick her up, I'll leave a little early and call into the 'natural health' shop to have a butchers at the hats. That serving lady certainly seems to know what I like. Has she something in mind for me?

 

A couple of little fires this morning. I didn't think it was cold, but I'm Dagenham* boy, so that has to be taken into consideration.

 

 

The guy (Song) next door to us in the village has started to breed rats. Had a look yesterday. They are so cute! When I was young in Dagenham*, we had a white rat as a pet, and I have fond memories of little Sophie. I would tickle her underside and she would slide into slumber. Anyway; Song told me that they were destined for the 'table'. "Can get 150 baht for each one; when big. Thai people like. Very much." I have to think again on this. Just can't be blinkered in Isaan.

 

* An area of East London (north of the river) famous for it girl pipers, the Ford Cortina, jokes about the local girls and footballers.

 

25 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

A couple of little fires this morning. I didn't think it was cold, but I'm Dagenham* boy, so that has to be taken into consideration. {snipped}

* An area of East London (north of the river) famous for it girl pipers, the Ford Cortina, jokes about the local girls and footballers.

I never realised the Cortina was made in Dagenham. I always thought it was from somewhere up north - well, north of the Watford Gap anyway.

The name Cortina came from an Italian ski resort of the same name. Pity they didn't consider the Greek island of Lesbos.

1 hour ago, bluesofa said:

I never realised the Cortina was made in Dagenham. I always thought it was from somewhere up north - well, north of the Watford Gap anyway.

The name Cortina came from an Italian ski resort of the same name. Pity they didn't consider the Greek island of Lesbos.

Could be right there bluesofa. I don't know if the Ford Cortina was fully made in Dagenham. They might have made the engine. Then again; maybe that was made in Spain. But where the Cortina actually rolled out of the factory I'm not sure.

 

No! It wasn't whether the Cortina was made in Dagenham or not. It was the thought of taking a nice lady into the back of the car to inspect the upholstery. It was the dream of a Dagenham boy, when he snared a Barking girl, to be asked:  "Have you a cheap hotel in mind Owl?"

 

"No Sharon, but I've got a Cortina."

 

She would giggle enthusiastically.

 

"Rest yer head on that box darlin'."

"It smells. What's in the box?"

"Just the bait box for fishing tomorrow. They won't hurt you."

"They? What is 'they'?"

"Worms. Now concentrate won't yer."

 

This mind-image is unique to Dagenham. Just as cider is synonymous with the west country and black pudding to the black country.

 

Of course these 'themes' are all over. The string of onions around a cycling Frenchman's neck. Gloucester's cheeses rolling down a hill. Spain's hairy women. Land of the big bamboo,,,,,, etc.

 

When I speak to old school friends, and they find out I'm in Thailand, very often they remark 'ladyboys' and snigger. Then have to put them right that Mrs Owl is in fact female.

 

Went outside to snap the bright yellow/green wagon bringing rings in for the rat farm.

 

 

Also in the pic are Boyz, Dan and Noi. Noi wanted to be more to the fore.

 

 

Lovely lady. Doesn't owe me any dosh.

2 hours ago, bluesofa said:

'put thoughts into my heard'

We were always told it would make you go deaf. Looks like your enforced holiday has affected your spelling, Owl. (as opposed to spelling bee)

I heard that!

14 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Lovely lady. Doesn't owe me any dosh.

Keep that up and you'll end up in the dog box!Or are you like me and the dog box is your permanent place of residence?

12 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Could be right there bluesofa. I don't know if the Ford Cortina was fully made in Dagenham. They might have made the engine. Then again; maybe that was made in Spain. But where the Cortina actually rolled out of the factory I'm not sure.

 

No! It wasn't whether the Cortina was made in Dagenham or not. It was the thought of taking a nice lady into the back of the car to inspect the upholstery. It was the dream of a Dagenham boy, when he snared a Barking girl, to be asked:  "Have you a cheap hotel in mind Owl?"

"No Sharon, but I've got a Cortina."

'snared a Barking girl'   Sounds like a real bitch to me.

 

It looks like it was Dagenham according to wiki, but it is rather vague:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cortina

7 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

I heard that!

Pardon?

 

2 hours ago, owl sees all said:

The guy (Song) next door to us in the village has started to breed rats. Had a look yesterday. They are so cute! When I was young in Dagenham*, we had a white rat as a pet, and I have fond memories of little Sophie. I would tickle her underside and she would slide into slumber. Anyway; Song told me that they were destined for the 'table'. "Can get 150 baht for each one; when big. Thai people like. Very much." I have to think again on this. Just can't be blinkered in Isaan.

I'm sure I've eaten rat in the early days unwittingly when Mrs Flung would play the try this which after the the giggles and laughter died down would inform me what I had just ingested.I used to see BBQ rats nailed to the board next to the BBQ chicken and were nearly indistinguishable from each other.

23 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

I'm sure I've eaten rat in the early days unwittingly when Mrs Flung would play the try this which after the the giggles and laughter died down would inform me what I had just ingested.I used to see BBQ rats nailed to the board next to the BBQ chicken and were nearly indistinguishable from each other.

The chap next door, (Song) has gone into it big-time. Has invested 100k baht into the project. Went along to snap a few rats yesterday and was shocked to see his breeding male was almost as big as a cat. Pics net Owl Log.

21 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

The chap next door, (Song) has gone into it big-time. Has invested 100k baht into the project. Went along to snap a few rats yesterday and was shocked to see his breeding male was almost as big as a cat. Pics net Owl Log.

Yes the BBQ rats I used to see were the same size as the chickens.I remember seeing one as big as a cat running around in Delhi decades ago and couldn't believe my eyes.

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lovely lady. Doesn't owe me any dosh.

I see you've met my MIL. Lovely lady.

15 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

I see you've met my MIL. Lovely lady.

She has been featured before Evenkeel. Must tune in more often.

 

A few days ago she accused Mrs Owl of kid-napping her cat. Mrs Owl told me;

 

"Noi says farang take cat, belong to she."

My sarcastic side was pushing at the door.

"Tell her feed next one."

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

She has been featured before Evenkeel. Must tune in more often.

 

A few days ago she accused Mrs Owl of kid-napping her cat. Mrs Owl told me;

 

"Noi says farang take cat, belong to she."

My sarcastic side was pushing at the door.

"Tell her feed next one."

Tell Noi it was delicious!Toughest animal I ever skinned was a feral cat caught in a rabbit trap and killing it was even harder and rather traumatic.

7 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

I'm sure I've eaten rat in the early days unwittingly when Mrs Flung would play the try this which after the the giggles and laughter died down would inform me what I had just ingested.I used to see BBQ rats nailed to the board next to the BBQ chicken and were nearly indistinguishable from each other.

I actually like rat, but would only eat it if I was out in the sticks. Don't want some <deleted> passing off sewer pipe rats as field rats.

 

Butterfly lizards and garden/forest lizards are quite tasty too but not much meat on them.

4 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Tell Noi it was delicious! Toughest animal I ever skinned was a feral cat caught in a rabbit trap and killing it was even harder and rather traumatic.

Are you suggesting that I tell Noi an un-truth? I couldn't do that, and in any case she knows I like pussies.

 

Here is Jack. The pussie cat she said I kid-napped. Although cats go where they like. 

 

7 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

I'm sure I've eaten rat in the early days unwittingly when Mrs Flung would play the try this which after the the giggles and laughter died down would inform me what I had just ingested.I used to see BBQ rats nailed to the board next to the BBQ chicken and were nearly indistinguishable from each other.

Reminds me of a Python sketch ...

 

9 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Are you suggesting that I tell Noi an un-truth? I couldn't do that, and in any case she knows I like pussies.

 

Here is Jack. The pussie cat she said I kid-napped. Although cats go where they like. 

 

Definitely a case of catnapping if ever I saw one.I can't tell if Jack is looking at you with admiration or suspicion. 

12 hours ago, owl sees all said:

You have put thoughts into my heard owl. But, wait a minute! The shop that sells them in Ban Dung has a lovely lady selecting the better ones for me. Can't let her down. Must visit today (Monday) to see what she has to offer me.

Pics Owl, we need pics.

16 minutes ago, sotonowl said:

Pics Owl, we need pics.

Yes! I hear you.

 

I was a bit late as my friend came to see me and the time just flew by. Left at 15-30, and by the time I'd gone to the farm to do the regular chores; feed the carp, water the plants etc., it was late. Tomorrow!

 

I've got the strangest feeling that I could get a yak-yak with this. Should I stop now or test the water?

 

 

46 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Yes! I hear you.

 

I was a bit late as my friend came to see me and the time just flew by. Left at 15-30, and by the time I'd gone to the farm to do the regular chores; feed the carp, water the plants etc., it was late. Tomorrow!

 

I've got the strangest feeling that I could get a yak-yak with this. Should I stop now or test the water?

'I could get a yak-yak with this'    Just get on with it and buy two of those long-haired Mongolian cows.

 

 

 

The chef, at first, does sound suspiciously French..

Make me wonder if Monsieur vol au vont has been:

 

..."ow you say, le moonlighting...?

 

 

 

Owl Log 26-01-2021 - Tuesday afternoon - 100 days since last rain

 

The last couple of days have been lovely. Mild in the morning gradually building to very warm in the afternoons. And just a gentle breeze. Last rain 18th October. Are we gonna get any more; ever? Of course! My guess is April 1st for the next splash of wet stuff. That'll be - let me see - a spell of about 160 dry days. Hope I'm wrong with this, and it pours down this week. 

 

=================================

 

Song is piling in the belief, enthusiasm and baht into his 'rat' project.

 

The children were invited to 'open day'.

 

 

Song explaining how to get hundreds of rats.

 

 

Of course, it all starts with a mummy rat and a daddy rat.

 

 

And while the guided tour is progressing the concrete ring guys are delivering.

 

 

Very functional wagon.

 

 

 

=================================

 

Found a eucalyptus wholesaler on my travels. They sell baby eucas too; prices start at one baht per tree.

 

 

This is a big tree business. Must have a million tonne of eucas stashed there.

 

 

Three prices at the mo. 1000 baht a tonne for standard trees (ours), and 1100 baht for paper trees. 30 baht per tree for selected scaffolding size.

 

 

The wholesaler rents out the sticks as 30 baht a go. Where's the logic? They will buy them back from that same user at 20 baht within three months; as long as they are undamaged of course. And of course the same ones.

 

 

=================================

 

The buddha next to our farm is having something constructed.

 

 

A closer view.

 

 

=================================

 

Went to town at the week-end and bought Mildred a pair of quality 'SOLIC Stereo Headphones'. Got them in Big-C. If I recall, my 15 year old ones, that I'd bought in Ilford (Essex) from a top music shop were 20 squids. Milly's ones 129 baht! I'm using them whenever I'm allowed.

 

 

Plugged into my satellite phone.

 

"How's the sound Mil?"

 

"It's great Dad. Can hear what they are playing on the International Space Station."

 

Oi! Still wearing my gansy?

 

 

=================================

 

Milly's school construction racing ahead. We were there last Thursday. The builders must have worked at the week end. Good progress.

 

 

 

All the furniture has been moved.

 

 

=================================

 

Spent quite a few hours at the farm feeding the fish, watering the plants and generally pottering about. The views from where I sit to feed the kois are just fantastic; looking east is just the best.

 

 

 

And to think that I had to stop Mrs Owl from cutting it down 12 years ago.

 

=================================

 

The Mango trees have started sprouting their little flowers. I do like mangoes. Not just nice to eat, but medicinal too. 

 

Biden has moved his pets into the White House and 4 squids were finally taken from my account for the losing punt on The Don.

 

Chelsea have gotten rid of their manager. Just after the start of the season, The Stamford Bridge team were third fav's for the title at 9-2. I knew Frank's sister Clare. Was in the same swimming club as my daughter. Essex memories! Those were the days! Frank and Frank senior were both at West Ham then.

 

Listened to Monday's The Richie Allen show this morning. Vernon Coleman was the guest. Tony Gosling is a guest later in the week. Great listening. Yesterday morning I caught up with GG Moats (aired on Sunday evening). Best way for me to pick up the world news. Don't know about you lot, but to me, George seems to be forever behind the wave.

 

Ordered a book on-line on 19th. Dawn Lester's offering to the medical world. Could be with me this week. Looking into getting Alfalfa Extract and Vitamin D stuff on-line. Is it worth it?

 

Song has filled his bit of village land with soil. Had a load of building mat's shipped in. Invested over100k baht. Pics next Owl Log.

 

Fancy a hot cup of Cola farang.

 

 

I've no idea what is to become of us with these viruses. Thailand has just found another 1000 cases. The WHO has just said (officially last week) not to trust the PCR test and to restrict the amplification to 30 cycles. I know the UK lab's go to at least 40, but don't know about Thailand. But on the up-side, long-term illnesses and influenza have all but disappeared. The Irish health expert let it slip (on TV) that "there is no 'flu this year". What to make of it all?

 

Our leccy bill jumped up to 1800 baht for last period. Expect it to return to normal, now the heater has been stored away 'til next cold period.

 

I'm gonna be more carful with number 5 pond this year. Keep the water level high and definitely no swimming for the children. Got to do my best to encourage the kois to breed. They will prepare for romance as soon as thunder arrives.

 

Mrs Owl has informed me that we are to get leccy at the farm. Went to a meeting and came back with the trinkets of info. Solar cell plant and and a big lake. Couldn't get the gist of it at all. As with a lot of things here; we will have to see. When I go to Udon next month for my 90 day, I'll inspect the new high-speed train tracks, first mooted 8 years ago. Nong-Khai to Bangkok in three hours. Stopping at Udon, Khon Kaen, Khorat and then Bangkok I guess. Unless it's gonna be non-stop from Nong Kahi to Bangkok. Who knows? But! My informed guess is that in ten years time it will be possible to go from China (not sure whereabouts) to BKK. Watch this space.

 

More to follow.

 

Take care out there.

 

Bye y'all.

 

PS: Just been informed that Add has died. He used to stay at our farm house years ago. Had been sick for a few years.

Just had some heavy-ish rain out here on the Darkside of Pattaya this afternoon, most unexpected but welcome ????

At the risk of exciting your conspiracy theories Owl, I’d suggest that the flu might be down on numbers because of the social distancing that’s going on.

27 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

At the risk of exciting your conspiracy theories Owl, I’d suggest that the flu might be down on numbers because of the social distancing that’s going on.

A lot of people think this HP. 

 

I'll investigate.

 

I'll start with getting in touch with a French friend. He's a virologist.

As I was driving back from town this morning I was thinking about posting here and saying that the drought stories will soon be appearing on the forum, did you read my mind Mr Owl or did I read yours?

What do you call a deer with no eyes?No idea!What do you call a deer with no eyes and no legs?Still no idea!One theory about the no flu is this common cold virus is beating it to the punch.

We have been getting some flooding in the kitchen and have had to stop using the sink inside so we had the septic tanks pumped.No good still got flooding in the kitchen,I was dreading the thought of having to excavate the concrete until I decided to look into the tank that gets the water from the kitchen to see how big the pipe was and low and behold the tank was full.I had to move a 10 gallon compost bucket off the lid of the tank to look inside so I suspect it was too much trouble for the tank pump guy to move to pump that tank, anyway it was a huge relief not having to deal with a blockage. 

Owl Log - 27-01-2021 - Wednesday morning

 

Gradually getting warmer. Have not yet turned on the bedroom fan; but soon. Looked at the world weather map this morning and there is virtually no chance of rain until after the 8th Feb'; when the forecast ended.

 

I'm thinking ahead, and throwing up the possibilities of draining two ponds to fill up three. The first stage is to pump from number 3 into number 5 (koi pond). In about 3 weeks time I reckon. Then I'll take stock. The thinking is that the pipes under the road, leading off the farm into the buddha farm, are now blocked, so any run off will find it's way into number 1 and 2. These two are linked with gravity pipes to 3 and 4. So, I'm gonna fill up the higher number ponds from the lower as they only get rain-water for filling. 

 

Add is gonna get cremated today. The family do not want a party so events are on fast track. The only other time I've known such a similarly speedy event is when me mate Mark died a few years back; but they were definitely not poor.

 

Didn't get to fish at the week-end. Just too many children. Milly was OK with that. Next week-end then.

 

Curly Wurly got a haircut yesterday.

 

 

That's better!

 

 

Went past a shop on the Phen road that was preparing the motor cycles for touring around the villages selling bamboo furniture. Or maybe to a market. There is one in Udon that lasts for a few days.

 

 

Looks terribly confusing.

 

 

Work at the new rat farm was slow.

 

 

Nice new hut outside the shop next door to us.

 

 

It often amazes me how these village dogs are oblivious to food. This particular cross-road crew has 5 or 6 dogs always on patrol. This chicken was supremely confident or knew something!?

 

 

Of course when no humans are about the occasional chicken becomes too tempting. That happened when LaLa - our dog at the farm - killed a chicken. He was put down by the farm neighbor with a chog-chog. Mercifully quickly I was informed.

 

=======================================

 

I was looking forward to hearing Edwina Curry on the Richie Allen show this morning (aired last evening in Salford, Manchester). Only lasted about 10 minutes. She terminated the interview, citing off-script questions. As Mr Allen put it afterwards; this is the BBG* not the BBC. When Edwina was in her political prime I quite fancied her.

 

The Mrs put the pick-up into the finance Monday to get the big daughter some money to start a little shop. She (daughter) is gonna pay the monthlies. I'll try to stay out of it. But I'm fearing the worst. Haven't yet seen any paperwork. Maybe later.

 

For at least five years I have been paying two leccy bills each month; ours and the MinL's. May and Umm (May's mother) got turfed out of their house by the owner and moved in with Mrs Owl's MinL. And of course they would pay the leccy bill. I didn't know this and went along to MinL's house to get the bill. Couldn't find it. But I was soon put in the picture about the new arrangements. Last evening I got presented with their bill. Misses Owl explained that May and Umm saw the bill and decided to let me pay instead.

 

Sent away for some stuff on Lazada. Three half-litre bottles of chlorophyll and a 300 pack of vitamin D3. 1,800 baht in all.

 

Spent an hour this morning unblocking the pipe that runs through the water heater in the bathroom. The flow had been so poor that the heater was not being tripped. Turned off the juice and started poking in the pipes. Also reversed the flow to try to force out any deposits. Little bits of hard stuff came flying out. Fitted it all back and everything was fine. And all the while the Mrs was standing outside turning the water on and off. When I was finished, I couldn't resist a "turn on" and "turn off"; with the occasional "sure you don't want a chair teerak", for an extra 15 minutes, while I relaxed in front of the lap-top.

 

Hope I get the chance to see my hat-lady tonight.

 

Stay safe.

 

Bye y'all.

 

* BBG - Big Bald Gammon

 

 

 

 

 

18 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

{snipped}

I was looking forward to hearing Edwina Curry on the Richie Allen show this morning (aired last evening in Salford, Manchester). Only lasted about 10 minutes. She terminated the interview, citing off-script questions. As Mr Allen put it afterwards; this is the BBG* not the BBC. When Edwina was in her political prime I quite fancied her.

I remember Edwina Currie and the egg scandal.
When she was at Oxford University, she had a fling with John Major. Edwina Currie described John Major as a perfect gentleman, as when they shared a bath together, he sat with his back against the taps.