Life in the Isaan Boonies.

[Sotonowl]

On 12/15/2024 at 9:42 AM, SnapDragon said:

Snaps in the boonies here. It's Sunday the 15th of December 2024, 

No rain for 75 days. Plenty down south though.

Some pics of the number 4 market.

Kois for Mildred's favourite pond.

Into number 7 pond.

Still planning to plant the Durians. Checked at the plant section for the prices. Monthong variety is between 200 and 300 baht a tree. I'm gonna plant around 40.

Found these little bundles of fun. Couldn't resist getting a dozen.

I had the job of looking after the goodies while the wife went to get the car.

One of the two solar lamps at the rear of the house.

New hammocks at the farm. Great for relaxing after a hard half hour feeding the fish.

Mrs Snaps treated herself to a cart for the farm. Don't know where she got the dosh from. Could it possibly be the money that slipped out of me pocket a while back? No! Well perhaps. Don't like that poly money one little bit. Bring back paper I say.

Jealous I was. So next time at the PVC shop, on the 2022, I bought myself a cracking 10 metre tape. A bargain at 120 baht. A Monqiqi. Well known for their quality tools in China. Even has a little place for putting a drop of oil. Pretty accurate too.

Nut scavengers at work. A couple of ladies gathering up any old nuts. I'm told they are great for getting fires going. That little bit of residual oil does the trick.

Nut cut. 850 kg of big nut bunches. This lot from just half the farm. Getting there!

All secured with a net; for the first time. Usually use posts and rope. This is better though. Don't wan't a 20kg bunch of nuts running loose on the 2022 highway.

Price had dropped a little to 7-80 baht a kilo.

This wholesaler also buying in cassava.

Some of the salt-beds, to the north of the town, that have put Ban Dung on the world map.

The sign is up. Building coming along. Will be buying stuff there in a year or so.

What is that? Looks like a bamboo stake with a plastic bag on top.

It's the special spot for the water drillers to so their bizzo.

They arrived PDQ too. Told me two days and they arrived that afternoon.

Supplies arrive on cue.

The two topping-out pipes. 700 baht each. Heavy duty.

water come.

Job done. Pack away.

Next job for us, me and Kun, was to prepare to cap the well.

A solid 80cm concrete plate was the first thing put in place. Have so spread the load as wide as possible. Then a ring. Then a bit of concrete.

The well head is capped. A bit more to do, but that can be done later.

Me and Kun marked out for the solar base.

Next job will be to secure everything for the posts, that will hold the solar panels. (pics next post)

Meanwhile; my job to get all the deep well pipes ready.

The female ends are cut off and a screw filling glued in place.

 Never been lucky in raising ducklings. Out of the 12 bought, we have just 6 now. But they are looking good. Mind you, they all looked good when I got them. But 50% success. Not bad for Isaan.

The plan is to make a duck-house, and fix it onto one of the floating frames. Then, when the time comes, the ducks will be secure in their home; in the middle of the pond, and be able to go and come as they please. Around the New Year for that I reckon.  So much other stuff to be getting along with,

Cats doing what cats do. Scratch anything that is softer than their claws. Mrs Snaps moaning and groaning.

Good job we have plenty of tape.

About once a week I give the 4 palms at the farm house a really good water. The ground is hard in these areas and will just run away.  So I use my special spiker to get the water 3 inches down.

The kids from the village school were on the move. Lovely to see. Very disciplined, incognito marching. 

No music. No school uniforms. No chanting. Princess leading the way.

+++++

Footy question of the week. What two clubs, from the same town, scored 37 goals between then in the WFA? You guessed it. Rangers and Celtic. 13 for the Ghirls.

And 24 (twenty-four) for the Blue Belles.

Looked Westdyke up, and they are named after a sports centre in Westhill, Aberdeenshire. They merged with Cove Ladies a few years back. Can't find what their nickname is. Maybe they are called The Ducks? Anyway; well done The Ducks for scoring. Highlights on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSTRVv4MB3g

I've got to put the 7th goal down to a goalkeeping error. She will have nightmares about that one.

The Owls are gradually creeping up. Gunners and pool both drop points at home.

New world Chess Champion. 18 year old Indian lad.

In the PDC; the battle of the Lukes; goes to Humphries. What a final!!.

+++++

Busy, busy busy. Unlike years past, I find it hard to go at it all day. 2 or 3 hours is quite enough for me. Although it helps that the weather has been mild. Ordered the solar panels and pump wire. Gonna do the PVC pipes tomorrow. And early this week will get the steels for the panel structure. Then start construction.

Fed the fish with Mildred this morning. They look good. The ducks are OK. Cats are doing what cats do. Charging about. Robert and Oscar are well. With this beautiful nature all around; do I sometimes think it would be nice to be back in Essex; spending quality time behind the power station at Dagenham dock!?

Only one thing left to say; take care out there.

.

=

Westhill, Aberdeenshire

Watch that tape measure Owl. I once turned up at Sizewell and they were confiscating any tape taken onto site for calibration. I thought it was a joke but apparently there'd been a load sold in the area with the 75th inch missing or similar although I never saw one.

Think our manager is a wanted man, Saints are watching.

[SnapDragon]

4 hours ago, Sotonowl said:

Watch that tape measure Owl. I once turned up at Sizewell and they were confiscating any tape taken onto site for calibration. I thought it was a joke but apparently there'd been a load sold in the area with the 75th inch missing or similar although I never saw one.

Think our manager is a wanted man, Saints are watching.

You are not wrong there Owl. 

At the farm we have to do a lot of measuring. Distance between trees being planted, lengths of PVC to be cut etc. It's absolutely imperative that tapes are accurate. This new one is smooth and a delight to use, but when I checked it against one of my older ones there was a difference. On top of that, it only has decimal, no feet and inches.

I've had a problem with the drilling of the main steel bearers. Need to drill 8 holes. They will allow the steels to be bolted onto the concrete posts. I did have a 12mm drill that had a tapered shank, but could I find it? I have another 12mm bit, but not tapered, and the Nash or DeWalt drills only take up to 10mm. My Bosch hammer drill is  broken, and I cannot get it fixed. So. I've sent away for a 13mm bit on Lazada. Could be with me today.

The 6 ducks left are doing good. Give them lots of fresh water every day and food. Today they will get a slice of watermelon and finely chopped up cabbage. Also tried them with some wetted cat food and dog biscuit. Not going to release them from their present home until January. By then the duck-home will be ready. Hope they can swim!?

[Sotonowl]

16 hours ago, SnapDragon said:

I've had a problem with the drilling of the main steel bearers. Need to drill 8 holes. They will allow the steels to be bolted onto the concrete posts. I did have a 12mm drill that had a tapered shank, but could I find it? I have another 12mm bit, but not tapered, and the Nash or DeWalt drills only take up to 10mm. My Bosch hammer drill is  broken, and I cannot get it fixed. So. I've sent away for a 13mm bit on Lazada. Could be with me today.

Isn't it always the same. Always something missing. I have a load of HSS drill bits, all straight shank though and a selection of SDS masonry drill bits for my bosch drill. I had a battery drill which I used the HSS bits in but through inactivity it's given up the ghost. So I had to buy a SDS chuck to fit the bosch drill for when I want to use the HSS drills.

[SnapDragon]

More on the drill story.

Package arrived at 12 noon today. Opened it up and what did I find? The same bit as I already have. 12mm chuck size. Gonna wait until Saturday now. Can go to a Ban Dung hardware store, and, hopefully, get what I need.

Shame about the Bosch. Did some great work for me in days past,

What has broken is part of the drill head.

Went onto the Bosch www for a bit of guidance. I can honestly say it's the worst web- site I've ever visited. Wasted a half hour on there and got nowhere,

So! How and where can I get the tool repaired?

[AussieBob]

On 12/15/2024 at 8:20 PM, IsaanJeeperCreeper said:

Hiya Owl. I am wishing you the best of luck with them Durians, because we'll be a steady buyer of yours when you get them producing

Wife and her family love Durian, I tried it once just to say I have

I have tried to try them - when I get close my gag reflexes always take over.  I heard there was a Durian variety that does not smell, but even then, I think my gag reflex will still kick in.  

[AussieBob]

16 hours ago, SnapDragon said:

More on the drill story.

Package arrived at 12 noon today. Opened it up and what did I find? The same bit as I already have. 12mm chuck size. Gonna wait until Saturday now. Can go to a Ban Dung hardware store, and, hopefully, get what I need.

Shame about the Bosch. Did some great work for me in days past,

What has broken is part of the drill head.

Went onto the Bosch www for a bit of guidance. I can honestly say it's the worst web- site I've ever visited. Wasted a half hour on there and got nowhere,

So! How and where can I get the tool repaired?

Thais are very good at 'fabricating' fixes for things. They might not be the best solution, but sometimes they can get it right.  Maybe ask around locally for a 'tools repair man' and give him a go at fixing it. They often have heaps of spare parts here and there, and he might have an old broken Bosch drill that he could take that part off.  

[SnapDragon]

5 hours ago, AussieBob said:

Thais are very good at 'fabricating' fixes for things. They might not be the best solution, but sometimes they can get it right.  Maybe ask around locally for a 'tools repair man' and give him a go at fixing it. They often have heaps of spare parts here and there, and he might have an old broken Bosch drill that he could take that part off.  

Indeed Bob. The word is out there.

Went to Ban Dung today. Couldn't get the bit I needed. Have to take the daughter to see her friend tomorrow, she lives quite near BD. I'll try TOA. 

Panels have arrived. So as soon as I can erect the frame it will be all systems go. 

[AussieBob]

22 hours ago, SnapDragon said:

Indeed Bob. The word is out there.

Went to Ban Dung today. Couldn't get the bit I needed. Have to take the daughter to see her friend tomorrow, she lives quite near BD. I'll try TOA. 

Panels have arrived. So as soon as I can erect the frame it will be all systems go. 

When we lived in Chiang Mai I came across a few of those 'handyman repair' places - some IT - some told - some anything.  One of the Wife's favourite old bags was broken and the store that sold that brand told us 1-2000 Baht.  We found one that quoted us 150 Baht - all good - can hardly tell the difference.  Have not seen one in KK yet - maybe they are were we dont go here yet.

[NonThaiKiwi]

On 12/19/2024 at 11:43 PM, SnapDragon said:

More on the drill story.

Package arrived at 12 noon today. Opened it up and what did I find? The same bit as I already have. 12mm chuck size. Gonna wait until Saturday now. Can go to a Ban Dung hardware store, and, hopefully, get what I need.

Shame about the Bosch. Did some great work for me in days past,

What has broken is part of the drill head.

Went onto the Bosch www for a bit of guidance. I can honestly say it's the worst web- site I've ever visited. Wasted a half hour on there and got nowhere,

So! How and where can I get the tool repaired?

I'd be thinking along the lines of replacing the whole chuck.  If you open the chuck there maybe a screw on the inside to undo and/or if it's a screw on chuck,  put the chuck key in its position and give it a wack with a hammer to undo/loosen it. (counter clockwise) 

Replacement chucks are readily available in various sizes at most hardware places... or lazada/Aliexpress. 

I've had a few bosch drills, they generally can handle a tough life. 

Moved to Lithium ion battery drills now. Some quite grunty ones  available. 

All the best in your endeavours Snaps! 

[SnapDragon]

17 hours ago, NonThaiKiwi said:

I'd be thinking along the lines of replacing the whole chuck.  If you open the chuck there maybe a screw on the inside to undo and/or if it's a screw on chuck,  put the chuck key in its position and give it a wack with a hammer to undo/loosen it. (counter clockwise) 

Replacement chucks are readily available in various sizes at most hardware places... or lazada/Aliexpress. 

I've had a few bosch drills, they generally can handle a tough life. 

Moved to Lithium ion battery drills now. Some quite grunty ones  available. 

All the best in your endeavours Snaps! 

Bang on the monet there Bob.

Didn't go to Ban Dung as planned yesterday; just too busy at the farm. The Mrs did though. I put the Bosch in a bag, and gave her 1000 Baht. And!? It came back fixed. 650 baht. Asked where my change was. ''Wash hair farang.''

One of the best things she has ever done.

Got a new chuck-key too.

Posted onto my facebook group 'Pussy shots'. Had to share.

 

 

[rattlesnake]

On 12/20/2024 at 4:35 AM, AussieBob said:

I have tried to try them - when I get close my gag reflexes always take over.  I heard there was a Durian variety that does not smell, but even then, I think my gag reflex will still kick in.  

I actually like the stuff. But hardly ever eat it because it doesn't mix with beer. Priorities…