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That turtle didn't do so good. Predicting the winning lottery numbers is not so easy as it thought. Said '7's and '8's. I went out and bought any ticket that had both the numbers. They didn't even come up once. Stupid turtle. But! Maybe it got the dates mixed up. So I've plunged in again with the same two numbers. Not quite so confident this time though. 12-11-2024 This is SnapDragon. This is life in the boonies. Solar system number three is up and running. But not before some minor hiccups. When I originally ordered the cables back in December of last year, both came in 100 metre rolls. That would be enough for the 3 systems; I thought. However; because I'd used more than a third on the first two, the last one was gonna be a little short. I knew this, but thought that the pump going down the well 24 metres would be OK. But first; get everything to the farm. I'd already glued on the screw ends. Three 550 watt panels. Frame was already prepared. Me and Kun put on the panels, and with the DeWalt cordless drill, set about securing them. Had two fully charged batteries on hand. Must say the drill performed very well. Easily up to the task of 60 minutes hard drilling. On Saturday 2nd, me, Kun and Mildred put the pump down the well and wired it all up. We were going down 24 metres, maybe xlightly less. According to the pump data, it would give a flow of about 2 litres a second, with a strong sun. With the pump on the go from 9 in the morning, to about 4ish, we were gonna get something like 20k+ litres a day. Sounds a lot, but this pump had to service over 70 trees. And these palms are greedy sods. Mildred wiring up the control unit. Turned it on and the water came out faster than we had hoped. Too fast! I was in no rush to put in the permanent pipework. I wanted to observe the system for a couple of days. And? It didn't go exactly to plan. The system runs on solar panels. They, linked together, produce about 130 volts. The system pump is rated at 750 watts. Amps are 11ish. So as long as we got a volt reading of about 70 (with sun) the pump would run. The pump works on propellers; driving the water up the 1.5 inch PVC pipe. At maximum volts the propellers run at maximun revolutions. What was the basis of the problem? At full sun, and with a voltage reading of over 120 volts, the pump was at maximum output. Getting fantastic flow; but!! After 4 minutes the pump would stop for 5 minutes. This came up as E6 on the control unit. No water. Then start up again. I took the readings over the next few days, and found that when the voltage dropped below 90 volts, the pump didn't stop at all. On Wednesday of last week there was some cloud cover between 12 and 2. The pump didn't stop once. What to do? I thought the problem lay with the replenish rate of the water in the deep well. At maximum revs (of the propellers) the water was being pumped out faster than it was being replenished in the pipe. I checked the water table. 8 metres down. The other pump was just 100 metres away. That had never stopped once. I reckoned that there was a layer of permeable rock/stone lower than the 24 metres down where the pump was. Solution? There were two options. One was to adjust the settings on the controller, so that the maximum propeller revs were reduced. That would mean less water being pumped; but no stopping. The reason I thought this, was that under cloudy conditions, there was no stopping. The reason for the stopping was the sensor one metre above the pump, saying there was no water. That would have been a solution, but I figured that later in the year, when the table went down as low as 15 metres, the problem would come back. So; the pump unit had to go lower. That was two sets of wires, the holding cable and the PVC pipework to sort out. Decided to splice in a 6 metre section of cable; rather than simply add to the length of the cables. The reason being that I didn't want to disconnect the control box wiring. On Saturday last, the same three of us, got stuck in. In my wisdom, I also thought I'd put on a protective polyvinyl tube, to protect everything from the blazing sun. This proved to be a challenge, but was eventually mastered. Still not completely happy with the protective coverings though. I'll sort it out this week. The permanent pipework had also to be fixed up. Before last Saturday. After working on the PVC pipes and cables. This system water delivery, was a different one again. Ten years ago, when i put in the original underground pipework, the water came from the ponds. One 150 metres away, from pond one, and the other 400 metres away, from pond eight. There were a few very dry years, and during one, pond eight almost went dry. Also the price of nuts had dropped to just over 2 baht, and it was not even worth bothering with. So, as is the way here, it was just left to be reclaimed by nature. Anyway; hooked the whole thing up to the original pipework, and with fingers crossed; run the system. It all went well. Underground pipework still good. There are still 132 trees without water supply; next solar project in January. Saw a big snake skin on the road at the farm. Not seen any big snakes this year. The clear-out at home continues. Even more accumulated junk taken to the farm and burnt. The Mrs was nagging me about having a tidy up. To be fair; she was right. But should I have told he that it was her job? Perhaps I will next time. Everything looks so different without the euca trees. The Big Mango lady was frantic! I kid you not. Some of her critters had escaped. 'Don't just stand there farang; help me catch them before they jump away.' Soo and his wife are back from Bangkok. They are mum and dad to Bella, who has been in Singapore for yonks. Not heard anything about her. He went straight to work trimming the house trees. There he is. The kittens are growing fast. Little Jack Wagger, Mimi and Miss Lala. Lovely little things. Leccy to a farm. Are those posts PVC pipes? Looks like it. Did a nut cut last week. Not so much; just 775 kilos. The price is going up and up. On the day; 8 baht a kilo. Yea!! These farm pineapples are not growing as fast as the others. These ones doing much better. Could it be that the poorer ones are in the blazing sun for much longer? The avo tree still alive. No fruit yet though. Found some more ducks in the village. Very untidy gaf. Buffs on the move. Where are they off to? Just wanted to have a cool down. +++++ A bit traumatic for the EPL Champions. Since the last Boonie post they ain't won a game. Pool top. I reckon they will stay there all season now. The Lions doing well in The Championship. Black Cats and Blades equal top. Owls are so, so unpredictable. Great win vs The Canaries. Next match! Hammered at home by The Hornets. To be fair though; they are one of the form teams in that division. Then yet another loss to their neighbors. Verstappen won the Bazillion F1 from 17th on the grid. That has to be good day. Don't happen that often. Sad that Raygun has called it a day. The world's number one break-dancer forced out by jealous girls. A pig's head was chucked onto the pitch in a match between San Paulo and Corinthians in Brazil. People starving in the world. Waste of good food that. One of those 'orrible International breaks this week end. +++++ A more relaxed week; this one. Just checking and monitoring. We are gonna grow durians. Honest! Can't stand the things; smell or taste. But the rice growing in our spare two rai seems a nonsense to me. Been researching the smelly things on the www, and it's not easy to grow them up here. The 5/6 month long dry season is just too harsh. I've nothing against the tree itself. It's just their offspring. Rice harvesting in full swing. Ours next week. Party in the village this Friday. Then the usual procession around the village with all the money trees. I'll ask Mildred to go out and capture the magic moments with me camera. Visa next week. Made an appointment for the IO for Wednesday 20th. I'll visit a couple of places on the day. Be on me own so no yak yakking when I want to stop to take a pic or two. Now the important thing. How to become 6 million baht richer. It's number seven folks. Don't want no commission. Just buy yer Mrs a new car. Bitcoin and gold doing well. Pound and dollar US better against the baht at the mo'. Just been told that the election was last week. Sort of passed us by here. Who won? Not that Thaksin guy again was it? Of course I jest. Trumpey got in with lots to spare. I'm puzzled why 10 million Dem voters didn't bother this time. Perhaps they were not too keen on WW111. WW111. What? I'm well prepared. Have rope ladders going down the well at the farm. My advice to all; dig a well. Get some stout rope. Yer never know what unpredictable Donald might be thinking.. Only one thing left to say. Take care out there. +++++ Isaan beauty. Seen in Ban Dung.

Lottery day soon. Have two tickets already. One with '2's and '4's and the other with '3's and '7's. I'm sure one of them will do the bizzo and make me considerably richer. Not told the wife I have them. Or they would go walkies. Such is life in the Isaan Boonies. Went to Water world, in Udon, as planned. Started the day at 9 and after picking two of Mildred's mates up, the other side of Ban Dung, we pulled into the car park at 11-45. Not so many people on the site. Maybe 30 or so, As we walked in, there were super-heroes awaiting. Hulk needs a lick of paint. Well; he is supposed to be green. First structure, was the huge tower. Any kids wanting to go down the slide had better be fit. There were a lot of kiddies by the edge of the water. I went to investigate. Beautiful fish. And of course I had to buy some fish food and feed them. Didn't expect to see shoals of koi carp at Water world. In days past it was a fishing resort. Around the far side were at least 30 fishing huts. I hung about near the big slides for a dynamic pic or two. And down they came. At a fair old speed. Plenty of other slides for the less brave or fit. Me and the Mrs went off to do some shopping in Udon. We returned just before 4. The gang had had their fun and were ready to go home. More kids at the place when we arrived to take the children home. Maybe 50 or so, Mildred said that the speedboat ride was not available on the day. Shame that. Perhaps not enough customers? But just 160 baht for those wishing to get wet. Free for watchers. On the way home we passed the old Home Hub. It had closed down about 12 months ago. I had been in there a few times, and on a couple of occasions I was the only customer. No wonder it shut up shop, what with the popular DoHome just up the road too. The new place is called 'BnB home'. Have to go to the IO for my 12 month visa in November. I'll pop in and have a butchers. Now the euca cutting team have gone; it's been a big clear out, and clean up. Mrs Snaps has done a fine job in the farm-house kitchen. A lot of toot had been accumulated of the last few years. Had a big burn up. Looks much better. And we have a new farm dog. Mrs Snaps fbinks she is part wolf. Anyway, she is nice enough. I've named her 'Tin Tin'. The pineapple outside the house is growing like Billy Hoh. The good thing about buying a pineapple, is that you can plant the top and get another. Easy to look after. Just give a drop of water every few days. Gradually getting there with the solar system. Unlike the times before, I'm doing most of the steels at home. When I get them to the site the steels are already cut to length, and pre-drilled. Plan to finish the panels tomorrow and Friday and get the whole thing operational on Saturday. It's been busy. +++++ That draw at Arsenal sent City top. Is this the start of the push for 5 in a row? Black cats are running away with the Championship, Just like the Foxes did last season. My teams; Orient, Aveley and Hornchurch are all struggling. +++++ What a spectacle in Dortmund in the European Darts Championship. Richie Edhouse beat the German guy in the final. Great stuff. All the favorites went out early. Mildred back at school this week. Done me best to talk her out of it; but?! Think she wanted to see her mates. Light has gone out in the Foyer. Have to sort that soon. Quite dark in the mornings when i get up. Got Mildred a new bed mattress. Bought them on Lazada. Two for 600 baht. One for daughter; one for the Mrs. Someone left the bathroom tap running when we last went to Ban Dung. Flooded the bathroom and the kitchen. Both the outlets were blocked. I got the blame of course. The car is doing OK. No big problems with it so far. Although Mildred says there is not enough cool air for the back passengers. So the Mrs has sent away for a mobile fan. Runs off a USB. Hope we have one. No rain at all this month. Not quite as hot in the last couple of days. The elections soon in the US. What shenanigans lay in wait? Due to start my fast in two days time. Only for 48 hours. The Global House construction site in Ban Dung is coming on leaps and bounds. Only one thing left to say. Take care out there. +++++ Mildred's latest painting. www.mildredart.com

White House is good but for that type of atmosphere I prefer Goodview For me the best Thai pub/restaurant on the river is River Chic Bar Very chill and some of the best live Thai music I have heard anywhere Much different atmosphere than the lively Whitehouse or Goodview Really laid back River chic bar +66 84 172 9998 https://g.co/kgs/dVft7nB

Good advice. JJ Market is a must visit on weekends https://www.facebook.com/jjmarketchiangmai/?locale=th_TH Forget other markets, especially the over-hyped night bazaar, and enjoy a more up-market (pun intended) experience. There's great food available along with local produce in a clean, shaded environment. Live music is low key and undercover seating is adequate. Shops, stalls, and a supermarket cover a large paved area. Get there early as coaches off-load tourists around 11am and queues can form at popular food stalls.

Zoe in Yellow But you'd have to compete with 30yr old farang guys.... Goodview But you'd have to compete with 30yr old Thai guys.... Go to Pattaya, @23RD will be your tour guide.

I wouldn’t recommend any of those places. Must sees are; wat Chedi Luang in the heart of the old city, (I know you’ve seen one temple you’ve seen them all) but this place is other-worldly. Jing jai market weekends only. The Whitehouse pub on the ping river for some rollicking nighttime entertainment. Lake Huai Tueng Thao for a pleasant lunch and afternoon relaxation. And a trip up to Doi Suthep and Wat Palat. Avoid the walking street market (penguin parade) and high profile restaurants and cafes such as Muen Jai, which are overcrowded and overrated. There’s plenty of good cafes and restaurants conveniently located without having to consult you guide.

Tut tut, true, but that would be racist and the Communists and woke liberals in, so called, 'charge', don't believe in looking after their regular folk. only the foreign criminals and fraudsters who rip off the various idiot governments of the West. Frankly, I wish I was a US citizen and veteran under their new Administration.

They'd been better off investigating serious fraud like The Roma Pikey's claiming child benefits in Romania and Bulgaria or The Pakistani/Bangladeshis doing the same for non existent children in their home Countries. Or the bogus asylum seekers who came to the UK claimed asylum social housing and benefits then returned to their home Countries and sub let these Council properties the Grenfell Tower fire a,few years ago being a classic example as well as the Afghanistan withdrawal when asylum seekers who were meant to be under protection in the UK were actually back in Afghanistan.

There are a lot of poorly evidenced ideas spouted, surrounding this issue. The first is that the frozen pension situation in the UK, as far as I know, has never been legally challenged, up to the Supreme Court, as I suspect that the DWP would lose under the new discrimination laws. Second, is that the new rules are primarily aimed at those claiming State pension benefits, over and above the basic State Pension, that is indeed clear fraud. One chap living near me here is claiming a housing allowance, pension credit top ups and disability allowance. It's idiots like him they are primarily after. Lastly, unless you have PR here, you are not resident here, you are a visitor. If you continue your UK house, electoral registration, pay UK tax and submit a annual tax return, claim no State benefits from the UK social care system and don't directly own a house here, as a primary residence, the UK authorities would have a hard time challenging that in the High Court. I suspect that it's not in their interests to try. Those that think that a clearly inefficient and dysfunctional UK Civil Service is capable of delivering on this, to any great degree, are deluded. They will catch a few benefit claimants, no doubt, but the bulk of pensioners, wandering about overseas, cruising the World with the Cruise Lines and having long visits with relatives in other countries, will, I suspect, be left in peace. Could be wrong about all of this of course !

Thai Police: There could be a terror plot against Israelis. Also Thai Police: Who is spreading these baseless rumors?

My ignorance breaks the pattern ... 2.

That is what Thais do very very well. They will seize an opportunity to make money. I hope she paid income taxes on all that money

The whole old city is great. Walk every soi is my recommendation.

Scored two. I'm devastated. Thought I would get at least 4. Gonna sulk for a whole week.

I would live exactly where I live now, in Eastern Thailand. Why would I want to be anywhere else? Very many people in the West dream there whole lives about affording a short holiday here. Some make it here, most don't. I live here.

The extraordinary Talking Heads, Life During Wartime.

TiT, taxidriver carries a knife/boxcutter, takes it out, but the stabbing then is unintenionally? And with an appology of he goes looking for the next fare? What is with taking the taxi from him, because of used in a nightcrime and for fleeing the scene? This kind of letting things go is damaging the image of Thailand, Thailands taxi industrie and Thailands BiBs

The Icon group have been around for a few years SD. They came to prominence during Covid when lots of Thais were stuck at home and wanted an income. Their business model involved direct sales of cosmetics and health products, with the promise of large returns. Their marketing strategy concerned a cheap online training course where potential employees were encouraged to buy products which they were told they would be able to resell to others at a premium and make large profits. The sting in the tail was that, the products they were moving were of either poor quality or were never delivered to their employees to sell. They also had VIP programs where if an employee bought their products to a certain value they would have privileged access to customer bases. Around 600,000 people are members of the Icon group. With around 6,000 filing complaints so far. The prosecution are arguing that it’s a Ponzi scheme which is illegal here. They have also targeted the leader ‘Boss Paul’ on tax evasion and money laundering. ‘There are also suspicions that the consumer affairs commission was paid off by Boss Paul to keep them from investigating his behaviour and bribes were paid to senior government officials to obtain a license to operate.

I'm flumagasted! Two from five. 40%. Dismal failure. Been here in Thailand all these years and have learned nothing. And it's not just consulates. No! According to Mrs Snaps - and she knows everything there is to know about everything - I know nothing about Thai women. Especially the one I'm married to. Now! I had a routine that worked for 15 years. Let me elaborate. I like to wear a shirt with a top pocket. I would get a 20 baht note, and put in into the pocket so that about 1/3 was showing. This would focus her attention and she would go all sweet and nice to get the 20 baht. Cups of Rosie and everything. But recently, the green un was not doing the biz. So, I've had to use the blue 50 baht note. That's domestic inflation for yer. Enough of money. Timed myself making love to the wife yesterday. 2 hours 40 minutes 7 seconds. Superstud, or what!? Of course that time includes the pre-sex financial negotiations and the kip afterwards. Simply must get out and about more.

IDIOT ALERT... which came first... the chicken or the egg?

Everything but.

So you are OK with billions of people from 3rd world countries all descending on first world countries of their choice? How would that help those who stayed bahind, and what impact would it have on the new countries?? Do you realise that the 'benefits' for those people who are lucky enough to be born in 1st word countries, were utterly and solely because of their ancestors - and in many cases those benefits were hard won at the costs of many people's live? It is not a racial issue - it is about what people did for their kids and their kids and their kids. Dumping 500 million people into USA would destroy all those hard won benefits with a few years - surely you understand that? Protecting one's country from those who would come and exploit it and its benefits is 'universally accepted' - not the lunacy you propose. How old are you??

Refugees are people fleeing danger. Immigrants are people seeking a better quality of life. Let the government decide who is in what group - it’s their job. Illegal immigrants are unvetted queue jumpers who should be returned to their countries to join the queue. Allowing illegals to stay in your country and then pay them is a magnet for illegals.

Conceit and Arrogance - not an unknown duet - in fact, quite common with the deluded ones who think their lives are complete because of their self validations. The sad thing is that when that bubble bursts one day and they realise it was all just opinion, they tend to become a problem - to themselves and others. Listen Mark - do yourself a favour. If your beliefs/views make you think that you are a wholesome person with a complete and validated life, but that is actually self-delusion of the highest order - we are all a bit of both. Thailand has it right in their balance between common sense and your western woke liberal lunacy. Gay marriage laws mean nothing to Thais or me - because here openly gay men and women are accepted everywhere in Thailand (military aside). We have a friend who is a lady boy and 'she' is a lovely person, and that she can now legally marry her boyfriend is great. But Thailand will never accept that a man with a beard wearing a dress is a woman - or that 5 year olds should be able to change their gender - or men can be allowed to play sports as a woman. That woke liberal lunacy is only happening in woke liberal countries and will never happen here. That lunacy is being rolled back in the west and it will soon be but a memory of our sordid past.

They can write it... they won't because they are keyboard warriors and have no backbone.