Life in the Isaan Boonies.

[champers]

Pleased to meet you.

[DwizzleyMatthews]

  On 7/27/2024 at 1:19 PM, Daeng said:

I have a pigeon problem at my house. I bought some of these from Lazada to stop them perching and nesting in certain areas where there was a large build up of guano, and it is quite effective.

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.Lrr01

When the dogs are fed and they have eaten their fill, I empty the surplus from the bowls quickly so as not to provide easy meals for the pigeons. Every now and then my dogs will catch a pigeon and stop it farting in church. Every now and again I agitate the pigeons with a laser pointer which usually chases them away temporarily. My aim is to make our house less attractive to the pigeons than the house next door.

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I bought a bunch of these (24) this week as have a small sala in the garden and realised the birds were perching at night and khrapping at their leisure.

Never seen if they are pigeons or not but suspect smaller birds that have nests in my trees as we have several cats who like to go bird hunting at night and often see the results in the morning ….. pile of feathers !!

The cats themselves are considered a pest to some of our neighbours but we like em , keep the rats at bay.

 

[SnapDragon]

  On 7/28/2024 at 5:01 AM, AussieBob said:

1 hour ago, McTavish said:

Poisoned grain should sort it. 

Actually no - that will kill other birds as well. 

Catching them in a net and drowning them is the best way.

Poisoned pellets in their roosting locations is another but less humane way.

Shooting them with air compressor gun works (if legal) - but can be dangerous if the shooter is an idiot.

Unfortunately with this silly 'women's mind' of a world, all that is on the net is humane ways to make them move, which only moves the problem to someone else's property.

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Cats will do the trick. Do a little ladder for them to the roof in question.

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Sorted.

[Marc26]

  On 7/28/2024 at 10:49 AM, AussieBob said:

In Ban Thum near Khon Kaen - about 10km from centre of town. Close but not too close. 

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Ok so not far from "civilization " if you want it

Having KK University I'd imagine the city has a lot of good places to go have a bit of food/drink/live music 

[Daeng]

  On 7/28/2024 at 2:56 AM, AussieBob said:

Unfortunately, that is not the solution - making them move to another house.

They will come back when their numbers are bigger and there is not another 'coup' to roost in next door.

The only solution is to stop them breeding by terminating them.

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I agree @AussieBob. Termination is the preferred solution. I'm reluctant to use any kind of poison as I don't want to potentially harm any other "innocent" wildlife, as  I have loads of other birds coming to the garden. 

[Daeng]

  On 7/28/2024 at 3:02 AM, McTavish said:

Poisoned grain should sort it. 

Good for Trump supporters too :)

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I'm opposed to using any kind of poisons as I don't want to potentially harm any other wildlife.

[Daeng]

  On 7/28/2024 at 5:01 AM, AussieBob said:

Unfortunately with this silly 'women's mind' of a world, all that is on the net is humane ways to make them move, which only moves the problem to someone else's property.

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I agree. I got criticised on AN when I suggested "glue traps" to get rid of mice/rats.

[AussieBob]

  On 7/28/2024 at 12:43 PM, NonThaiKiwi said:

Back before the world started going mad, we had on the farm:

. 177  air rifle for birds that became pests, like starlings

. 22 rifle for possums

. 303 for deer, goats and sometimes pigs. 

With a few nutters going crazy in NZ the last decade, it's now really difficult to obtain any firearm and rules are very tight.  Even to get ammo. 

In someways it's good but those who break the law are still getting their hands on them. 

An air rifle here would be very useful. 

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Yep - you mean back in the day when kids were brought up properly and were not self-entitled little sheites that nutter teachers (mainly women) taught their rights but not their responsibilities. I could go another step, and say back in the day when men ruled and young men were made to behave, and girls shut the phaarrrk up and stayed out of it. You know - when men ruled the world and the women ruled the house and family. Yep - I know what you mean. 

[AussieBob]

  On 7/28/2024 at 2:14 PM, champers said:

Pleased to meet you.

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Cheers

[AussieBob]

  On 7/28/2024 at 6:59 PM, Marc26 said:

Ok so not far from "civilization " if you want it

Having KK University I'd imagine the city has a lot of good places to go have a bit of food/drink/live music 

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Food we enjoy - not so much drink and live music. We moved this year but have been here before and are taking time to get settled in.  Avoiding the nutter Expats is something I learned the hard way that it is extremely important to do.  Not as many good restaurants as in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or in Pattaya (we used to live in Rayong), but they have a few and the town is getting bigger.

One thing we dont have is hordes of Chinese or Indian tourists - we love that 'absence'.   

[AussieBob]

  On 7/29/2024 at 2:46 AM, Daeng said:

I agree. I got criticised on AN when I suggested "glue traps" to get rid of mice/rats.

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Lefty nutters rule the roost over on AN. At one time TT was getting more visits than AN on a day, and then the Owners and Mods here fixed that right up. Hopefully, this time around TT can remain 'untouched' by them and their stupid ways of trying to control people. 

[AussieBob]

  On 7/28/2024 at 3:59 PM, DwizzleyMatthews said:

I bought a bunch of these (24) this week as have a small sala in the garden and realised the birds were perching at night and khrapping at their leisure.

Never seen if they are pigeons or not but suspect smaller birds that have nests in my trees as we have several cats who like to go bird hunting at night and often see the results in the morning ….. pile of feathers !!

The cats themselves are considered a pest to some of our neighbours but we like em , keep the rats at bay.

IMG_4211.mov 59.79 MB · 1 download  

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When on a property in a village/farmlands I reckon cats are essential - rats, mice and birds are nothing but pests to be dealt with.  Not so much in the cities - cats can be very annoying when crapping in the neighbours garden and/or fighting at night and/or making the dogs bark. 

[SnapDragon]

Life in Isaan - 29-07-2024

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Another week of eventfulness. On the whole it was a decent week. Been made a very good offer (well I thought so), for the euca trees, although Mrs Snaps wanted 10k more. I planted the trees is in June of 2020, so just over 4 years old. Total cost  of planting then (trees' labour etc);  52k baht. Been offered more than four times that; just yesterday. Make a decision today.

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The build next door is doing OK. Been on the go for about 6 weeks now. Worth reminding ourselves of progress.

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Area marked out and ready to go.

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Started on the foundations.

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Rain came.

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Not to fret about the wet stuff. The concrete will sort it out.

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Out with the formwork and the acrows.

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A couple of dry days and it was all ready for more concrete.

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Another downpour.

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Last concrete below ground level.

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Services all taken care of.

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Just fill it in using the machine. R

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And just put the concrete on top. Job racing ahead.

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Columns next. Hope they have a plumb-line handy.

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Absolutely poured down when they were filling the columns up using buckets.

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No problem at all. Strike the column shuttering and wrap them in plastic film.

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That's us bang up to date (as of today).

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Mildred was a bit upset over her cat. Somehow the whiskers have;;;; gone!!

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In times past.

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Talking of cats. Our two are very finicky about their grub; especially Poo. But, I have found a tin of 'something' that they really like. Never seen this brand before. 39 baht a can. A tad on the expensive scale.  But if yer want yer cats to grow big and strong? Although they would much prefer a mouse; fur and all.

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Regular readers of the 'Owl Log' will know that I've had great success growing pineapples. (Not so good with the avocados). Planted four 'tops' in the week.

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High hopes. Will report progress as usual.

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Mrs Snaps has been on the plant again. She puts them into the ground and it is I, who has to look after them. Because I go to the farm every day. Mrs Snaps; once or twice a week. Fixing up he chog-chog.

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A young farmer honing his chog-chog skills.

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Sport round-up.

Olympic footy. Don't care about that. English clubs are playing friendlies. Three weeks to go. Can't wait.

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Adan Peaty couldn't make it three golds on the trot in the 100 breast. Just a silver for perhaps the best breast-stroker of all time. Although David Wilkie might have a shout. Big one later; the men's 200 free. 

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Hamilton wins again. What has happened to Red Bull's dominance? Karma works in mysterious ways.

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One of the little kois died in Mildred's big concrete tank. Not really a nice place to keep fish, but she wants to keep them there for a few months.

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Saw one of the pot-belly piglets in the this morning, when I was on my daily task of picking up soi rubbish. Didn't have the camera with me unfortunately. Next time.

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Mildred not at school today. I much prefer her to be at home. Learns much more. And the Mrs is much calmer when she's around.

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Poo s about to drop her kittens. Mildred is making her a little den out of cardboard. Hope the kitten's father(s) have straight tails.

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Conflicts all over. This world is big enough for all to enjoy. Plenty for everyone. But no!

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That's it for now. Seez ya all next post.

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Must end with a little bit of wonderful nature.

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[BigHewer]

  On 7/29/2024 at 6:38 AM, SnapDragon said:

Sport round-up.

Olympic footy. Don't care about that. English clubs are playing friendlies. Three weeks to go. Can't wait.

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Agreed. Counting down... 

[DwizzleyMatthews]

  On 7/29/2024 at 6:38 AM, SnapDragon said:

Hamilton wins again. What has happened to Red Bull's dominance? Karma works in mysterious ways.

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Hamilton to join Ferrari next season just as Mercedes are coming good again !!

He wanted to join Red Bull when they were invincible ( Red Bull figured Lewis and Max on the same team wouldn’t work ).

Just like the footy superstars these guys, pledge their undying allegiance until someone puts a big cheque on the table !!

( cheque ?, yup that’s how old I am !! )

[SnapDragon]

Life in the Isaan boonies

02-08-2024

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The Mrs accepted the offer for the eucas. The deal is, that they will cut the trees within the next two months. The new thing now, is that they (the cutters) want to rent the farm for 6 years. Just the euca part. Nothing to do with the ponds or farm house. We will see how it all stacks up.

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The place where all the local eucas finish up is absolutely huge. Must be a million tonnes of eucas on site. A fleet of lorries are constantly on the go taking logs to the site and then to the factory; that I think is in Khon Kaen.

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The Mrs getting the euca-dosh low-down.

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There have been a couple of dry days, so work on the house next door is racing ahead.

Time for steel.

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All done from the ladder.

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Weld on the little pads and fix the sections on top.

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What secret stuff is under the cover?

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Did a very silly thing at the farm the other day. Switched the valves over to run water into the concrete fish tanks.

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That was about 2ish. Went off somewhere and forgot to turn them back. The result was that the tank overflowed into tank one, and the rest went onto the floor.

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Tank one is actually the better of the two. It keeps the water far better. The one we have the fish in leaks bad.

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Fish are doing OK though. Mildred says to keep them in the tank til later this year. I'm OK with that.

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Noticed the house next to us has attracted pigeons. After watching them for a while, I worked out that they were swooping down to eat the chicken offerings in the garden opposite, whenever Belle's hubby fed them.

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The rain has come just at the right time. The rice is just about perfect. Have to keep just a little water in the paddy until harvest, when it is drained.

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Looking from t'other end.

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Those beautiful trees will be gone this year. But it'll not take long for the off-spring to appear.

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The overflow from the paddy into pond one is now capped.

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The only pond not full is number 4. That has a run-off from the road so it will be OK.

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Every morning the food man comes around at 7ish. Does good business, even in the rain.

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Stops in the same places, every day; rain or shine.

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Nearly out of cow poopoo. Put another sack under the solar water.

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When the pump kicks in, the water takes the goodies down the farm to the trees.

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In the top section there are 5 routes for the water. Every day me - or Kun - change the pipe over. Just takes 5 seconds to swap them. On a sunny day I reckon 20k+ litres go down the farm. The most trees that are on one section is 24, so they each get a fairly good drink.

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Every tree is mapped.

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Same was with farm 3; but that was sold to pay family debts.

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Had another go at clearing the immensely tough foliage around the water tank and solar area

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Mildred fed the fish yesterday evening.

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Sport round-up.

Actually managed to watch some of the Olympic swimming. Only if the US swimmers were involved however. Set the Opera VPN to Nth America and went onto NBC. Good vid about Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky. Known in the swimming world as Kate Ledecky. A vid of her swimming, and a little interview, when she was just 8.

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No idea who has won anything else, from other sports, from any country. Like many; just not interested anymore.

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Think Poo could drop soon. Maybe this week.

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The news about the selling of the eucas has got around. Two locals came to borrow money this morning.

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Only one thing left to say; seez ya next post.

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Always best to finish with a slice of Isaan nature.

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[SnapDragon]

Life in the Isaan boonies

06-08-2024

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Number 4 Market last Sunday. We were there for about 10ish. It was as busy as I've ever seen it. Had to park way past our usual spot. Finished up outside Kubota. They have dozens of tractors for sale; maybe hundreds, as there is a big parking area at the rear. Not a lot of spare dosh floating about in these parts.

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On to the market.

It had been a bit wet of late, and it showed.

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No tree, or plant, purchases, so it was straight on to the fish man.

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Finished up getting 100 pinkies , 5 lovely carp and 3 small terrapins.

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Some interesting stalls displaying stuff. Like this giant vegetable. Or is it a root? A fruit even?

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Glasses. Prices range from 50 baht an economy pair, to the top, designer end, at 200 baht.

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Found what we were looking for. Cutters for the palms.

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Not cheap. Bought 2 for 1,200 baht. Mrs Snaps inspecting the quality.

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Budgies and rabbits. Have kept both in the past. Didn't end well.

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Beautiful Mekons for sale in the food area, Sad to see!

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Somebody brought their pet along.

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The mud took a prisoner.

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We are cutting nuts. But first we have to trim the fronds off the trees in the top section of the farm. The curved cutters, that had been bought at the market came in handy.

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We had Kun, Rooney and their son (don't know his name) cutting today.

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Two different methods on the go. Ladder from Lazada.

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And with the slicer bought from the market.

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Back at the village, work was on the go at the house build; next door but one.

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Outside the Leccy place on the 2022, next to VOA, there is something afoot.

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This leccy station has been without a wall for yonks. What is going on? Do they expect an event? 

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The motorcycle is almost finished. Gonna pick it up tomorrow.

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Mildred releasing the pinkies into pond 7.

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Wasn't sure where to put the kois.

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Ended up going into the first concrete tank (right). Put some veg in there for them.

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Seems to be an ever growing of wires in some Ban Dung sois. What is a collection of wires is called. A cluster? A swoop?

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Had the grass cut around the solar system area.

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Much better. But not for long. Give it 2 months and it will as dense as ever. Then the dry season kicks in and no more growth to speak of for 5 months or so.

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Sport round up.

The GB Olympic squad have won a few golds. Best, for me, was the Men's 4x200 free relay in the pool. I know we have won on the track. If I find time I'll investigate.

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Those two men/women have made the finals in the boxing. The thing for me is; a/ can they father children? Or; b/ can they give birth? Seems simple enough. Or have I got it completely wrong?

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Footy starts up later this week. The top doggies the following week.

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The Mrs lost her glasses at the market Sunday.

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Only one thing left to say; seez ya on the next post.

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A bit of beautiful Isaan nature to end with.

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[BigHewer]

Love this thread. Great pics and an enjoyable read

[Marc26]

More pics of that beautiful looking shepherd dog please. 

[SnapDragon]

Found a pic of the farm cats from way back.

The pic is not too great as I've blown up a thumb. I have a set of cat originals; somewhere.

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Mayhem at grub up.

[rickinudon]

Hi Owl, Rick from Udon here. Sorry to see you leave AN. Agree it is going downhill - I am not hit by moderation, but tons of threads about nothing, just clickbait. Also some threads are reposted again and again. Must sort out my camera problems so i can post photos.

My Avocado has survived after nearly being killed last year by Yai while we were on holiday in the UK, not watered. I do find in the hot season they need water every 2 days, Never have much success with pineapples, i can grow them, but never get any fruit - and eventually Yai kills them as well!

[Marc26]

  On 8/9/2024 at 2:53 PM, rickinudon said:

Hi Owl, Rick from Udon here. Sorry to see you leave AN. Agree it is going downhill - I am not hit by moderation, but tons of threads about nothing, just clickbait. Also some threads are reposted again and again. Must sort out my camera problems so i can post photos.

My Avocado has survived after nearly being killed last year by Yai while we were on holiday in the UK, not watered. I do find in the hot season they need water every 2 days, Never have much success with pineapples, i can grow them, but never get any fruit - and eventually Yai kills them as well!

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You need to ship my MIL up there 

All she does all day is water her plants and trees

[SnapDragon]

  On 8/9/2024 at 2:53 PM, rickinudon said:

Hi Owl, Rick from Udon here. Sorry to see you leave AN. Agree it is going downhill - I am not hit by moderation, but tons of threads about nothing, just clickbait. Also some threads are reposted again and again. Must sort out my camera problems so i can post photos.

My Avocado has survived after nearly being killed last year by Yai while we were on holiday in the UK, not watered. I do find in the hot season they need water every 2 days, Never have much success with pineapples, i can grow them, but never get any fruit - and eventually Yai kills them as well!

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Good to hear from you Rick.

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I had to leave AN. There was a mod named 'stats', who seemingly delighted in removing my posts. Usually informing me they contravened 'community standards', But really it was because he didn't like my opinions. Then the ban. Is this what the new owners want? If it is, then I can only see an AN decline. I also said goodbye to the footy quiz section. Well over 3k hits. But their loss rather than mine; although I was concerned that all the 'Diary', and 'quiz' regulars would not find the new thread over on TT. Fortunately; many have.

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My avos are a bit hit and miss. I have two left from the four originals. Although one is 5/6 foot high. I'll take an up to date pic when I go to the farm later. I agree with you about the watering. Especially if the little trees are in the blazing sun all day.

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For me, pineapples are a doddle. Got four on the go right now. I'll check on them today as well as the avo and a mango grown from seed.

[SnapDragon]

  On 8/9/2024 at 2:53 PM, rickinudon said:

My Avocado has survived after nearly being killed last year by Yai while we were on holiday in the UK, not watered. I do find in the hot season they need water every 2 days, Never have much success with pineapples, i can grow them, but never get any fruit - and eventually Yai kills them as well!

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Went to the farm today and took a few pics of the trees.

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First of the avoes is this one. It's doing good. I didn't plant the seed to get avocados. But if I get a few I'll be thrilled. Reckon that time is a fair way off though.

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Compare to the second. A stunted miserable effort. I care for it just the same as the better one. There were three planted in this garden, but two didn't make it.

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Highlighted the pineapple growths. Have another in the big avo garden. That's doing OK.

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Lastly the mango grown from seed.

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So as I say; a bit hit and miss.

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[Sotonowl]

New sponsor. I didn't realise you were a secret Manc Owl, did you know this was happening or could there be a change of U/N on the way.