Nakhon Sawan News

[billd766]

Fred,

Thanks for wondering whether I am still in the land of the living, I am but have been a bit crook of late. I was also following the age old advice that you should not tell people your problems since 50% don’t care and the other 50% are glad. However following this line of reasoning this post may at least cheer 50% of people up.

I have avoided most travel health problems for the last 40+ years but this time I hit the jackpot. Whilst skiing in Japan I seemed to have suffered an alimentary malfunction that involved projectile vomiting plus a dose of the thrippeny bits. Recovered enough to ski for most of the time then came down with sinus/ear/nose/throat problems when we visited Mt Fuji. Unusually for winter and especially for Fuji we had 2 perfectly clear cloudless days giving glorious views of the mountain which did take my mind off my sneezing and wheezing for some of the time.

Recovering from my fresh ailment somewhat we came back to Thailand and went down to Chumphon where the thrippeny bits re-established themselves with a vengeance and the plane travel exacerbated the ENT( the ear/nose and throat) issues. Went across the isthmus to Ranong and boarded a 100 foot wooden ketch that we had booked to sail into the Mergui archipelago in Burma with 4 other customers. Very calm weather but having above problems plus loss of appetite limited my appreciation of the trip. Once back on shore the thrippenies reached a crescendo before I managed to gulp down enough immodium to staunch the efflux. Another plane trip and a drive up from Bangers got us to the village.

Shortly after I went to see an ENT specialist in KPP. I walked into the consulting room saw the specialist who was distractingly wearing a short skirt next to what looked like a dentist chair. For a moment I thought I had been taken to see a dentist but she was in fact the relevant specialist. Whilst distracted by the short skirt she poked an optic fibre fed camera up one nostril which was fine for a moment then as it went further I yelped in pain. I had no idea the upper reaches of the nose were so sensitive. The process was repeated for the other side up to the point of me screaming as I clutched the dentist chair armrests after which I was prescribed various pills etc. I have to say that, apart from pain management she did seem to know what she was doing since the ENT problem has now largely cleared up and I've managed a few games of golf on a rapidly dehydrating KPP golf course.

Fred, maybe this has made you feel a little better about the UK weather?

I don't know about Fred but you have my sympathy and so does your good lady.

Happily for me I gave up travelling 6 years ago when I retired and I haven't been on a plane since.

Distance travelling for me is a once a year trip to the UK embassy in BKK, once a month bulk shopping at BigC/Makro in KPP, the odd motorbike trip here and there and once or twice a week to Klong Lan.

In my 50 year working life I have lived and worked in 38 countries around the world ranging from weeks, through months and sometimes years and if the truth be known I have had enough of it.

I have lived in this house 10 1/2 years which is the longest I have ever lived in one house apart from growing up as a child.

I am fat, happy and content to stay here. Today is Monday and I think the last time I went to the village was last Thursday.

If you need a Red Cross food parcel of biscuits let me know and I will make you a batch.

Cheers

The Old Bill

[fredob43]

Fred,

Thanks for wondering whether I am still in the land of the living, I am but have been a bit crook of late. I was also following the age old advice that you should not tell people your problems since 50% don’t care and the other 50% are glad. However following this line of reasoning this post may at least cheer 50% of people up.

I have avoided most travel health problems for the last 40+ years but this time I hit the jackpot. Whilst skiing in Japan I seemed to have suffered an alimentary malfunction that involved projectile vomiting plus a dose of the thrippeny bits. Recovered enough to ski for most of the time then came down with sinus/ear/nose/throat problems when we visited Mt Fuji. Unusually for winter and especially for Fuji we had 2 perfectly clear cloudless days giving glorious views of the mountain which did take my mind off my sneezing and wheezing for some of the time.

Recovering from my fresh ailment somewhat we came back to Thailand and went down to Chumphon where the thrippeny bits re-established themselves with a vengeance and the plane travel exacerbated the ENT( the ear/nose and throat) issues. Went across the isthmus to Ranong and boarded a 100 foot wooden ketch that we had booked to sail into the Mergui archipelago in Burma with 4 other customers. Very calm weather but having above problems plus loss of appetite limited my appreciation of the trip. Once back on shore the thrippenies reached a crescendo before I managed to gulp down enough immodium to staunch the efflux. Another plane trip and a drive up from Bangers got us to the village.

Shortly after I went to see an ENT specialist in KPP. I walked into the consulting room saw the specialist who was distractingly wearing a short skirt next to what looked like a dentist chair. For a moment I thought I had been taken to see a dentist but she was in fact the relevant specialist. Whilst distracted by the short skirt she poked an optic fibre fed camera up one nostril which was fine for a moment then as it went further I yelped in pain. I had no idea the upper reaches of the nose were so sensitive. The process was repeated for the other side up to the point of me screaming as I clutched the dentist chair armrests after which I was prescribed various pills etc. I have to say that, apart from pain management she did seem to know what she was doing since the ENT problem has now largely cleared up and I've managed a few games of golf on a rapidly dehydrating KPP golf course.

Fred, maybe this has made you feel a little better about the UK weather?

Like others Bill "Young" Glad your getting better.

When I first read your post I thought you had changed your charming G/L for Mrs H/M she could give even the fittest of us an alimentary malfunction.

Regards the feeling better bit about the UK weather not a chance still cold and inclement to the point of ending it all, at least we haven't had to much rain.

Don't panic have no intention of doing same even though some peeps might be overjoyed at the thought of same.

Hope you continue to improve at least your in the right place, surrounded by upper class peeps clean air and several good places to eat.

Give my regards to all.

H/M.

Fred.

[nojoma]

billd766.......just out of curiosity......give us your five favorite countries......sounds like u have a lot of information to be shared......thanks....dave

[billd766]

billd766.......just out of curiosity......give us your five favorite countries......sounds like u have a lot of information to be shared......thanks....dave

Thailand has always been #1.

Chile was also a great place to visit for 3 months. The food and wine were wonderful too.

Singapore was wonderful in the late 1960s and early 1970s while in the RAF.

I enjoyed a year in New Zealand.

Germany, Holland and Belgium were great.

Norway inside the Arctic circle was still cold in June and bloody cold in March.

Libya sucked in the mid 1960s and it is much worse now.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait I didn't like much.

Johannesburg in SA was OK, the food and wine was very good and cheap.

Pakistan and Bangladesh were a bit rough.

Papua New Guinea was an odd place with hundreds of different dialects and hundreds od different Christian religeons. It was a OK but.... the locals could change from being nice friendly people to nasty a vicious at the snap of a finger.

I spent 3 months in Angola which was the worst place I ever went to.

7 months in France mainly in and around Paris was about a year too long. Outside of Paris was much nicer with better food and friendlier people.

I did 3 trips to Indonesia and I enjoyed it but the pollution in the 1910s was awful.

Brunei was OK but very boring.

That gives you my potted view of 21 countries straight off the top of my head and I know I missed a view but it has been a long day.

[nojoma]

billd766......thanks for your reply.......anyone want to add to the + countries??.....

[bim]

Lived in Boston in the US. Wonderful place as is Berlin before and after the wall. Thailand is number 1. Something spiritual about this place. UK is the worst place I have lived.

[davyboy]

Good result today, went to renew my driving licenses and got six years (less two weeks) again.

I'm a happy chappy !!!

[Jerry Cornelius]

Lived in Boston in the US. Wonderful place as is Berlin before and after the wall. Thailand is number 1. Something spiritual about this place. UK is the worst place I have lived.

May depend upon which side of the wall you were on. Agree with you about life in UK though. I left when it began to emulate East Berlin.

Far too many brother's. Not to be confused with Bro's, of course.

Jerry

[nong38]

I have just returned from good will visit to Chiang Mai, naturally called in at the well preserved KPP Bus Station, where everyone was wearing black arm bands, something to do with local celebrity who has escaped over the border, the arm bands are, so I am told, because they expect him back shortly!

Chinese New Year approaches, the new road from the bridge east is now closed where the markets are until the festivities are over and they are going to be big this year something to do with 99, so next year it will be 100 and that wil be bigger than ever, so, if you are coming to town expect diversions for the next 3 weeks.

Its all going to be happening in the next 3 weeks, expect to see all the super stars in and around the metropolis getting stuck into their noodles and roast pork sandwiches, the list I have seen is Frank Shinatra, Elvis Ponkchan, Barack Sawadeekrap, The Beetles, Chaing Ki Chek, Jocky Chan, Colonel Sanders and the Pope.

[nong38]

Lived in Boston in the US. Wonderful place as is Berlin before and after the wall. Thailand is number 1. Something spiritual about this place. UK is the worst place I have lived.

May depend upon which side of the wall you were on. Agree with you about life in UK though. I left when it began to emulate East Berlin.

Far too many brother's. Not to be confused with Bro's, of course.

Jerry

We had a Boston in the UK, in Lincolnshire, lovelly place but its now over 50% full of immigrants

and has changed out of all proportion. The UK used to be a great place, until the Tony and Gordon imported lots of new tax payers to pay for our pensions, it then got out of control and they will now have to import even more to pay for them, what a mess, glad I have some good memories of the place, mainly before 1990.

[wayned]

I had a office and FAA repair facility in Slough from the mid 70s until when I retired in 1997 and usually spent about 1 month every year there. I always stayed at the Castle Hotel in Windsor and from what I can remember I really don't have any good memories of my time spent there other than a few Pub lunches!

[bim]

Lived in Boston in the US. Wonderful place as is Berlin before and after the wall. Thailand is number 1. Something spiritual about this place. UK is the worst place I have lived.

May depend upon which side of the wall you were on. Agree with you about life in UK though. I left when it began to emulate East Berlin.

Far too many brother's. Not to be confused with Bro's, of course.

Jerry

Jerry I could not agree more. I was pulled up by three people in uniform at Euston Station who came out of nowhere (Non where Police, they came later) who told me I could not take pictures within the station because of terrorism. I was seeing my son off who lived in Manchester. The same thing happened to me and my mum in 1987 whilst on a day visit to East Berlin. The film from my mums camera was ripped out of the camera. Imagine how pissed I was to find out years later the UK government and its allies funds terrorists around the world. My wife and I decided 7 years ago to get the hell out. And I believe we live under Marshall Law. The nearest thing ive seen to Marshall Law here are Marshmellows for sale in Tesco Lotus. And only because they sound similar. Thank god I have this wonderful country to call home. Edited February 12, 2015 by bim

[fredob43]

I have just returned from good will visit to Chiang Mai, naturally called in at the well preserved KPP Bus Station, where everyone was wearing black arm bands, something to do with local celebrity who has escaped over the border, the arm bands are, so I am told, because they expect him back shortly!

Chinese New Year approaches, the new road from the bridge east is now closed where the markets are until the festivities are over and they are going to be big this year something to do with 99, so next year it will be 100 and that wil be bigger than ever, so, if you are coming to town expect diversions for the next 3 weeks.

Its all going to be happening in the next 3 weeks, expect to see all the super stars in and around the metropolis getting stuck into their noodles and roast pork sandwiches, the list I have seen is Frank Shinatra, Elvis Ponkchan, Barack Sawadeekrap, The Beetles, Chaing Ki Chek, Jocky Chan, Colonel Sanders and the Pope.

Dave.

Seems to be some truth in the statement re the arm bands.

Just spoken to Mrs H/M and looks like she has started a cottage industry producing same. Several of the maids are working overtime trying to keep up with demand allegedly.

Wayne.

With regard to pub lunches you are lucky that you aren't there now as they are closing down at a rate of 30+ a week soon there won't be any about.

Must admit I have to agree with most of the statements regarding Blighty in three words, It's the pits. As luck would have it I'm fluent in Urdu so does help somewhat.

Thailand is a much better bet that's if you have rose coloured glasses, given the choice like other's I would sooner be there. That's if you don't count the thieving postal service. Mrs H/M has one of her family working in BKK so we know first hand what goes on. Then there's all the corruption. I could go on but you'll get my drift.

Update on Blighty.

Still cold no snow or rain come to that even have the first signs of spring, Daffs are coming out and the blue tits are trying out the nesting box's. Several months time might even have a warm day not holding my breath on that one.

Have also sorted out my Internet connection only getting about 12mb 'good enough' and not the 26mb there but it is a trite cheaper at £5 a month as against £20+ from TOT.

H/M.

Fred.

[nong38]

Heard today that Tesco in Fairyland has closed down. Fairyland opens at 1000 but Tesco opens at 0900 ( with luck). I think they wanted to open earlier but it was not to be and now that they have a place in the WALK and the big place up the Tak Road it seems like they dont need it anymore. Lets face it it was small and not run on UK standards, it was never on my must go to places. They did not even sell noodles!!!!

[Jerry Cornelius]

Lived in Boston in the US. Wonderful place as is Berlin before and after the wall. Thailand is number 1. Something spiritual about this place. UK is the worst place I have lived.

May depend upon which side of the wall you were on. Agree with you about life in UK though. I left when it began to emulate East Berlin.

Far too many brother's. Not to be confused with Bro's, of course.

Jerry

Jerry I could not agree more. I was pulled up by three people in uniform at Euston Station who came out of nowhere (Non where Police, they came later) who told me I could not take pictures within the station because of terrorism. I was seeing my son off who lived in Manchester. The same thing happened to me and my mum in 1987 whilst on a day visit to East Berlin. The film from my mums camera was ripped out of the camera. Imagine how pissed I was to find out years later the UK government and its allies funds terrorists around the world. My wife and I decided 7 years ago to get the hell out. And I believe we live under Marshall Law. The nearest thing ive seen to Marshall Law here are Marshmellows for sale in Tesco Lotus. And only because they sound similar. Thank god I have this wonderful country to call home.

I hear you.

I left in 1980 when I'd had enough of suffering the 70's political turmoil there and could see the way things were ultimately going. Some folks just don't seem to realise that George Orwells 1984 was a novel, not a blueprint and guideline for; domestic, foreign and social policies. Had some good times and met some great folks while there though. I just couldn't reconcile living there..

Thailand is good for me. Now, I'm retired and can do pretty much what I please, when I please, without being harassed for breaking some petty PC mandate. As everywhere else, there are some drawbacks to life here, but I find it easy to reconcile those and don't dwell on the negatives. After all, I chose to be here in a foreign land.

Jerry

Edited February 13, 2015 by Jerry Cornelius

[bim]

Yesterday went past the old confuzion bar and it has been renamed The Sports bar. It was closed though.

[Chilon]

Went over to Loei for a couple of days as I hadn't been over that way for 40+ years. We stayed near Chiang Khan on the Mekong, nice town not spoilt by the tourist trade as yet. My GF forgot her thyroxine tablets ( she has hypothyroidism) so we went looking for them. The pharmacy tried to sell us pills for hyperthyroidism but did not stock the thyroxine so we had to go to the hospital, no other clinic was available.

At 11am we were told they were a bit busy so they said to come back later in the afternoon. We turned up 4 hours later-only one doctor and a queue of about 25 people ahead of us. I thought we would be there for days but the patients were dealt with impressive speed. They were lined up on a bench and as fast as they dropped off the end and into the consultation room the whole bench shuffled up and new patients took their place. I timed it at 3 minutes per consultation following which they stumbled up to the in house pharmacy for their prescription( presumably amoxy and aspirin) and then out the door . Reminded me of the UK National Health circa 1980.

Out of boredom whilst waiting I took a look at my passport and discovered to my surprise that my visa expired the next day. I originally had a 30 day visa given at Swampy on 20 January and a few days later on 24^th January I left Thailand via Ranong for 6 days in Burma. Exiting Ranong was weird, they wanted to see my return flight from Thailand. On re-entry into Ranong on 29^th January they didn’t want to see anything and I assumed I had a 30 day visa as per every other entry. However I now discovered they had only given me 14 days which meant my visa now expired before the expiry time of the previous visa. So the next day armed with photo, 2 copies of passport and various statements from the resort I submitted an extension request at Loei immigration Chiang Khan. Some 1900 baht lighter and 2 hours later having signed my name 8 times I left with a 30 day extension.

I know they are clamping down on visa runs etc but I've never done one in my life so I can’t figure the logic out.

[fredob43]

Went over to Loei for a couple of days as I hadn't been over that way for 40+ years. We stayed near Chiang Khan on the Mekong, nice town not spoilt by the tourist trade as yet. My GF forgot her thyroxine tablets ( she has hypothyroidism) so we went looking for them. The pharmacy tried to sell us pills for hyperthyroidism but did not stock the thyroxine so we had to go to the hospital, no other clinic was available.

At 11am we were told they were a bit busy so they said to come back later in the afternoon. We turned up 4 hours later-only one doctor and a queue of about 25 people ahead of us. I thought we would be there for days but the patients were dealt with impressive speed. They were lined up on a bench and as fast as they dropped off the end and into the consultation room the whole bench shuffled up and new patients took their place. I timed it at 3 minutes per consultation following which they stumbled up to the in house pharmacy for their prescription( presumably amoxy and aspirin) and then out the door . Reminded me of the UK National Health circa 1980.

Out of boredom whilst waiting I took a look at my passport and discovered to my surprise that my visa expired the next day. I originally had a 30 day visa given at Swampy on 20 January and a few days later on 24^th January I left Thailand via Ranong for 6 days in Burma. Exiting Ranong was weird, they wanted to see my return flight from Thailand. On re-entry into Ranong on 29^th January they didn’t want to see anything and I assumed I had a 30 day visa as per every other entry. However I now discovered they had only given me 14 days which meant my visa now expired before the expiry time of the previous visa. So the next day armed with photo, 2 copies of passport and various statements from the resort I submitted an extension request at Loei immigration Chiang Khan. Some 1900 baht lighter and 2 hours later having signed my name 8 times I left with a 30 day extension.

I know they are clamping down on visa runs etc but I've never done one in my life so I can’t figure the logic out.

Bill.

Once you leave the country your visa stops if you return by land you will get a new one lasting 14/5 days and they are only allowing a few of those till they red stamp you with a 7 day get out or else one, been like that for ages. You only get a 30 day so called visa exempt if arriving by plane.

I'm sure you can get an extension on your new 30 day one via the visa place in N/S for 1,900 bt ??? other than that you'll be down to going to Mai Sot for another 14/5 day one.

Other than Visa problems I do hope that all is going well.

Please give my regards to all.

H/M.

Fred.

Edited February 13, 2015 by fredob43

[wayned]

The rules have changed. Citizens of G7 countries get 30 days now either by land, air or sea. Citizens of other countries still only get 15 days. The visa exempt entry can now be extended at immigration for 30 days, cost 1900 baht. The current crackdown is on out and in visa exempt entries (exit and come right back in the same day), usually only 1 allowed.

So if you are a citizen of a G7 country you should have gotten 30 days. Always check the stamp before leaving immigration. When I did my last retirement extension at NS they gave me "0" days. I noticed that they hadn't changed the year on the stamp when she gave me my passport back. She crossed it out, initialled it and pout in the correct date.

[fredob43]

The rules have changed. Citizens of G7 countries get 30 days now either by land, air or sea. Citizens of other countries still only get 15 days. The visa exempt entry can now be extended at immigration for 30 days, cost 1900 baht. The current crackdown is on out and in visa exempt entries (exit and come right back in the same day), usually only 1 allowed.

So if you are a citizen of a G7 country you should have gotten 30 days. Always check the stamp before leaving immigration. When I did my last retirement extension at NS they gave me "0" days. I noticed that they hadn't changed the year on the stamp when she gave me my passport back. She crossed it out, initialled it and pout in the correct date.

Thanks for the update Wayne.

I thought you could extend but the other G7 bit was new to me.

That means that if he went across the border at Mai Sot he should get 30 days.

That would be easier for us as we can go to M/S quicker and cheaper 500bt than the 1.900 at N/S.

As I don't have to do it not been keeping abreast of same.

Like you I always check.

H/M.

Fred.

[davyboy]

The rules have changed. Citizens of G7 countries get 30 days now either by land, air or sea. Citizens of other countries still only get 15 days. The visa exempt entry can now be extended at immigration for 30 days, cost 1900 baht. The current crackdown is on out and in visa exempt entries (exit and come right back in the same day), usually only 1 allowed.

So if you are a citizen of a G7 country you should have gotten 30 days. Always check the stamp before leaving immigration. When I did my last retirement extension at NS they gave me "0" days. I noticed that they hadn't changed the year on the stamp when she gave me my passport back. She crossed it out, initialled it and pout in the correct date.

Thanks for the update Wayne.

I thought you could extend but the other G7 bit was new to me.

That means that if he went across the border at Mai Sot he should get 30 days.

That would be easier for us as we can go to M/S quicker and cheaper 500bt than the 1.900 at N/S.

As I don't have to do it not been keeping abreast of same.

Like you I always check.

H/M.

Fred.

Try to keep up with the times my man or alternatively get shut of that minion who's supposed to take care of you self proclaimed royals as in hunt masters!!!

[Chilon]

Fred,

All OK here thanks-may drop into Oasis for a German beer or two this evening. We'll have one for you in your absence.

Wayne,

Appreciate the clarification, that is what I expected. As you say it pays to check which I have been remiss at doing for the last few years. Immigration at Ranong was a bit shambolic with various hustlers pestering the travellers right up to the counter. You could actually bypass the whole process going out or in as there were no controls. Apparently some people have inadvertently done just that and been surprised at the problems it created when they came to leave Thailand.

Mind you I saw the same at LAX shortly after 9/11 when flights resumed. For a brief time there I could have bypassed immigration into the USA.

[fredob43]

The rules have changed. Citizens of G7 countries get 30 days now either by land, air or sea. Citizens of other countries still only get 15 days. The visa exempt entry can now be extended at immigration for 30 days, cost 1900 baht. The current crackdown is on out and in visa exempt entries (exit and come right back in the same day), usually only 1 allowed.

So if you are a citizen of a G7 country you should have gotten 30 days. Always check the stamp before leaving immigration. When I did my last retirement extension at NS they gave me "0" days. I noticed that they hadn't changed the year on the stamp when she gave me my passport back. She crossed it out, initialled it and pout in the correct date.

Thanks for the update Wayne.

I thought you could extend but the other G7 bit was new to me.

That means that if he went across the border at Mai Sot he should get 30 days.

That would be easier for us as we can go to M/S quicker and cheaper 500bt than the 1.900 at N/S.

As I don't have to do it not been keeping abreast of same.

Like you I always check.

H/M.

Fred.

Try to keep up with the times my man or alternatively get shut of that minion who's supposed to take care of you self proclaimed royals as in hunt masters!!!

I cant keep all the peeps in check all the time. I do expect by now they would have sorted things themselves.

But it seems I shall have to keep more of an eye out. (Not easy when your a few thousand miles away) Cant leave it to Mrs H/M she it seems cant even make suitable coffee.

Just shows you what happens if H/M is not available 24/7 everything seems to go to pot.

Note to self.

Must keep peeps, read Chilon/Bill in check although he's a world traveller on the odd occasion needs to have a squib lit under his Butt allegedly.

It could of cause be the fact he's Australian and not acclimatised to strong 8+% German beer like us westerners.

H/M.

Fred.

[Chilon]

Fred,

What's this word 'Butt' you are using. The correct word for English speaking non Americans is bottom,posterior or in increasing order of vulgarity bum, arse.

Have you been watching a lot of American TV programs recently?

Perhaps I need a word with the Hunt Club and get them to have you to resit their English language exam.

Now, regarding strong alcohol you should be aware in 1981 I introduced Hertfordshire to Stroh 80, a particularly vicious rum from the appropriately named town Klagenfurt in Austria. The 80 refers to percent alcohol. The odour is similar to an uncleaned stable and the taste matches. If you are feeling a little nostalgic for the horses take a smell then a swig and I guarantee you will feel like you are back there just before you pass out.

Unlike the native Hertfordshire ales such as Abbotts where they go down smoothly but leave a wicked hangover the first trick with Stroh is to get it down and the second is to keep it down. My Hertfordshire friends managed the first but failed miserably on the second. The hedgehogs on the front and back lawns of our house were kept busy dodging the ensuing technicolour yawns.

Hence 8% German beer is no challenge at all.

[billd766]

Fred,

What's this word 'Butt' you are using. The correct word for English speaking non Americans is bottom,posterior or in increasing order of vulgarity bum, arse.

Have you been watching a lot of American TV programs recently?

Perhaps I need a word with the Hunt Club and get them to have you to resit their English language exam.

Now, regarding strong alcohol you should be aware in 1981 I introduced Hertfordshire to Stroh 80, a particularly vicious rum from the appropriately named town Klagenfurt in Austria. The 80 refers to percent alcohol. The odour is similar to an uncleaned stable and the taste matches. If you are feeling a little nostalgic for the horses take a smell then a swig and I guarantee you will feel like you are back there just before you pass out.

Unlike the native Hertfordshire ales such as Abbotts where they go down smoothly but leave a wicked hangover the first trick with Stroh is to get it down and the second is to keep it down. My Hertfordshire friends managed the first but failed miserably on the second. The hedgehogs on the front and back lawns of our house were kept busy dodging the ensuing technicolour yawns.

Hence 8% German beer is no challenge at all.

Now young Bill I have to take exception here.

Drinking Stroh 80 with ice and coke is like drinking rum and raisin ice cream.

If I could get enough of it then it would be my favourite drink but sadly I can only get 1 litre a year when my friend comes over from Germany which fortunately is in a months time.

Should you wish to partake I still have 1/2 a litre left as an emercency supply.

I can drink it straight but that is a waste of good rum, hence Stroh 80, ice and cococola.

I did challenge an ex Navy mate one night in Petchabun to drink one on one but being ex RAF I naturally won especially as it was my Stroh we were drinking.

[fredob43]

Fred,

What's this word 'Butt' you are using. The correct word for English speaking non Americans is bottom,posterior or in increasing order of vulgarity bum, arse.

Have you been watching a lot of American TV programs recently?

Perhaps I need a word with the Hunt Club and get them to have you to resit their English language exam.

Now, regarding strong alcohol you should be aware in 1981 I introduced Hertfordshire to Stroh 80, a particularly vicious rum from the appropriately named town Klagenfurt in Austria. The 80 refers to percent alcohol. The odour is similar to an uncleaned stable and the taste matches. If you are feeling a little nostalgic for the horses take a smell then a swig and I guarantee you will feel like you are back there just before you pass out.

Unlike the native Hertfordshire ales such as Abbotts where they go down smoothly but leave a wicked hangover the first trick with Stroh is to get it down and the second is to keep it down. My Hertfordshire friends managed the first but failed miserably on the second. The hedgehogs on the front and back lawns of our house were kept busy dodging the ensuing technicolour yawns.

Hence 8% German beer is no challenge at all.

Bill the Young one.

What you have to take into account is that there are non English speakers that use TV and we cant leave them out. Some of the colonists do have problems with the language and have to revert to the Dictionary, just giving them an easy time, so Butt it is.

I had forgotten that you have been in Blighty on several occasions and haven't had to have that Aus stuff like XXXX and the likes. I don't think they sell that rubbish here now, hope so anyway.

Hope you had a good time at Mikes place on Saturday.

As normal I stayed in to cold to go out let alone dine alfresco don't ask if I miss same.

Have heard though the grape vine that Mrs H/M has sold my Limo + my fish 'they could have been eaten' even the bird is on a short string, seems it sounds to much like me when it answers back.

Other than that all seems to be going fine only hope I can get back before she sells the Chateau.

H/M.

Fred.

[Chilon]

Bill the Elder,

Never tried Stroh with coke and thanks for the offer but if I had a whiff of the stuff I'm sure I'd start having flashbacks.

Must be alchemy if the Stroh, which always smelt like an straw from a stable to me combines with coke to produce a rum and raisins taste. I prefer the Captain Morgan Overproof rum when I can get my hands on it. In my opinion Bundaberg is best avoided and Appleton, which was touted as one of the best I thought pretty ordinary.

[billd766]

Bill the Elder,

Never tried Stroh with coke and thanks for the offer but if I had a whiff of the stuff I'm sure I'd start having flashbacks.

Must be alchemy if the Stroh, which always smelt like an straw from a stable to me combines with coke to produce a rum and raisins taste. I prefer the Captain Morgan Overproof rum when I can get my hands on it. In my opinion Bundaberg is best avoided and Appleton, which was touted as one of the best I thought pretty ordinary.

If I can get it I like Captain Morgan Spiced but not so much the Bacardi spiced. I used to drink Bundaberg something when I was in PNG. I prefer dark rums in preference to light or white rum but the best rum by far for me was Pussers made by the same company that made the rum originally for the Royal Navy.

I was lucky enough to be able to drink it at times when I was in the RAF in Singapore and had a mate who was a Colour Sergeant in the Royal Marines. If you were offered a tot you ALWAYS asked if it was "sippers", "gulpers" or "big sandy bottoms". Getting "big sandy bottoms" when you were only offered sippers could be very painful.

[davyboy]

Well, a little bit of trivia for those of us that are enjoying life in the sun with a odd shower of rain and those that are freezing their b****s off in good old Blighty.

February 2015

This month of February has produced an occurrence that will not occur again for 823 years, there are 4 of each day's in the month, go on then check your calender!

[Jerry Cornelius]

Well, a little bit of trivia for those of us that are enjoying life in the sun with a odd shower of rain and those that are freezing their b****s off in good old Blighty.

February 2015

This month of February has produced an occurrence that will not occur again for 823 years, there are 4 of each day's in the month, go on then check your calender!

Have a good weekend.

Jerry