Life in the Isaan Boonies.

[SnapDragon]

Snaps in the boonies here.

I was concerned the ducks would not like it in their new home. Could they swim even? given that they had never been in water before.

  They found the restaurant. Only the best grub for them. Water melon, lettuce and Isaan rice.

Evidently they are all males. Don't know how you tell when they are little. Kun knows what to look for though.

Nut cut a few days ago. 725 kgs. Price has dropped to 6.5 a kg.

Kun loading up.

Kun and his nut-cutting wife.

Getting unloaded at the wholesaler.

While I was waiting, a pick-up with 3 tonne came in.

The tobacco farm is getting bigger and bigger. About 6 rai this year.

The price the farmers get is - as of last time I inquired - 120 baht a kilo.

they seem to have plenty of kilos. Cutting is ongoing.

Looks like they are doing OK. Hope they don't smoke away the profits.

The garage at the top of our road has a new fence.

Good to see. I go there to get benzine.

Grand-pa taking the grand-children out for a spin.

This grape place looks interesting. Mildred and Adjung went along.

The way in.

Any Isaan budding winemakers interested?

Mildred is off school for 3 weeks. She knows where the place is, Must go there and buy some. The humble grape; king of fruits.

Who is that? Where did you get that shirt?

Overloaded or just a big load? Common sight on Isaan roads.

Bought myself a new mouse. Used it for a few hours. Didn't like it at all. Went back to the old one. Gonna keep it as a spare.

That's Big Orange with Whitey Long Tail. Big O is getting on for 18 inches long. A magnificent koi.

Members from AN might recall the leaning tree by pond 6.

Gone fishing. Started at 4ish - too hot earlier - and by half 5 we had caught 30 eaters.

We usually have a competition. Can't recall the last time I won. Years ago. I do have the job of unhooking though. That slows me down.

Mildred don't like the sun. 

Mrs Snaps doing her bit. Gave away a dozen or so.

Happy, the adopted farm dog, tucking in.

Still not processed the pics of Mildred's school visit io Khon Kaen Zoo. They all seemed to enjoy the day out. Mildred reckons there were half a dozen schools visiting. Next post hopefully; for pics and report.

+++++

Easy 5th round of the FA Cup predictions. 8 matches, I got seven right. PNE unexpectedly smashed Burnley. Ruined my accumulator they did. Great match ups in the 6th round. Cherries v City my pick.

Back with EPL this w/e. Liverpool are running away with it. They have two away toughies in May. But they also host The Gunners on the 10th of that month. It's all gonna be over, except the moaning and groaning, by then I reckon. Could be over right now.

Cherries for top 4??!!

+++++

Trump has everyone guessing. Looks like Greenland, Canada and Gaza are gonna be the new US States. Strange world for sure at the present. Sir K Starmer wants to get a posse together to protect Europe's interests. Dear me! Couldn't even protect youngsters from Jimmy Savile

+++++

The farm next to us has just done a solar set up. Went and had a look. Their main cable from the water pump is 3x2.5mm2. If they are using the same pump as all mine the cable should be 3x4mm2. Also they have no water sensor attached. That could cost them a new pump. The sensor on paln system 2 kicks in every 20 minutes on high sun. I've got the delay at 5 minutes. Then it starts pumping again. Gonna investigate.

That's 8 systems within an area of two footy pitches. We have three of them. Just hope the table holds up.

We got a bit of rain in the night of 26th Feb. So that spell without the wet stuff was 149 days. Certainly the longest since I've been here. Last year 119 days. The year before 117.

Wow!!! The March heat has arrived so early. Lovely at night. Nice in the mornings, but after about 11; absolutely scorching. Calms down about 5ish. In a couple of weeks it will be hot all the time.

Robert has been getting out and about. Pics next post.

Mildred has finished all her exams for the school year, Her best subject is English. Her worst; Thai history.

The Mrs was definitely upset with me. Didn't speak to me, or do me any grub, or make a cup of Rosy for nearly 3 days. I asked Mildred what was the matter. She said mum was upset about having to pay for the car, by selling a bit of gold.

Walked past the Hat Lady's shop a couple of times on me last visit to Ban Dung. Should I have popped in to see if she had saved a nice hat for me? Perhaps next time.

Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

[rattlesnake]

  On 3/6/2025 at 1:54 PM, SnapDragon said:

Snaps in the boonies here.

I was concerned the ducks would not like it in their new home. Could they swim even? given that they had never been in water before.

  They found the restaurant. Only the best grub for them. Water melon, lettuce and Isaan rice.

Evidently they are all males. Don't know how you tell when they are little. Kun knows what to look for though.

Nut cut a few days ago. 725 kgs. Price has dropped to 6.5 a kg.

Kun loading up.

Kun and his nut-cutting wife.

Getting unloaded at the wholesaler.

While I was waiting, a pick-up with 3 tonne came in.

The tobacco farm is getting bigger and bigger. About 6 rai this year.

The price the farmers get is - as of last time I inquired - 120 baht a kilo.

they seem to have plenty of kilos. Cutting is ongoing.

Looks like they are doing OK. Hope they don't smoke away the profits.

The garage at the top of our road has a new fence.

Good to see. I go there to get benzine.

Grand-pa taking the grand-children out for a spin.

This grape place looks interesting. Mildred and Adjung went along.

The way in.

Any Isaan budding winemakers interested?

Mildred is off school for 3 weeks. She knows where the place is, Must go there and buy some. The humble grape; king of fruits.

Who is that? Where did you get that shirt?

Overloaded or just a big load? Common sight on Isaan roads.

Bought myself a new mouse. Used it for a few hours. Didn't like it at all. Went back to the old one. Gonna keep it as a spare.

That's Big Orange with Whitey Long Tail. Big O is getting on for 18 inches long. A magnificent koi.

Members from AN might recall the leaning tree by pond 6.

Gone fishing. Started at 4ish - too hot earlier - and by half 5 we had caught 30 eaters.

We usually have a competition. Can't recall the last time I won. Years ago. I do have the job of unhooking though. That slows me down.

Mildred don't like the sun. 

Mrs Snaps doing her bit. Gave away a dozen or so.

Happy, the adopted farm dog, tucking in.

Still not processed the pics of Mildred's school visit io Khon Kaen Zoo. They all seemed to enjoy the day out. Mildred reckons there were half a dozen schools visiting. Next post hopefully; for pics and report.

+++++

Easy 5th round of the FA Cup predictions. 8 matches, I got seven right. PNE unexpectedly smashed Burnley. Ruined my accumulator they did. Great match ups in the 6th round. Cherries v City my pick.

Back with EPL this w/e. Liverpool are running away with it. They have two away toughies in May. But they also host The Gunners on the 10th of that month. It's all gonna be over, except the moaning and groaning, by then I reckon. Could be over right now.

Cherries for top 4??!!

+++++

Trump has everyone guessing. Looks like Greenland, Canada and Gaza are gonna be the new US States. Strange world for sure at the present. Sir K Starmer wants to get a posse together to protect Europe's interests. Dear me! Couldn't even protect youngsters from Jimmy Savile

+++++

The farm next to us has just done a solar set up. Went and had a look. Their main cable from the water pump is 3x2.5mm2. If they are using the same pump as all mine the cable should be 3x4mm2. Also they have no water sensor attached. That could cost them a new pump. The sensor on paln system 2 kicks in every 20 minutes on high sun. I've got the delay at 5 minutes. Then it starts pumping again. Gonna investigate.

That's 8 systems within an area of two footy pitches. We have three of them. Just hope the table holds up.

We got a bit of rain in the night of 26th Feb. So that spell without the wet stuff was 149 days. Certainly the longest since I've been here. Last year 119 days. The year before 117.

Wow!!! The March heat has arrived so early. Lovely at night. Nice in the mornings, but after about 11; absolutely scorching. Calms down about 5ish. In a couple of weeks it will be hot all the time.

Robert has been getting out and about. Pics next post.

Mildred has finished all her exams for the school year, Her best subject is English. Her worst; Thai history.

The Mrs was definitely upset with me. Didn't speak to me, or do me any grub, or make a cup of Rosy for nearly 3 days. I asked Mildred what was the matter. She said mum was upset about having to pay for the car, by selling a bit of gold.

Walked past the Hat Lady's shop a couple of times on me last visit to Ban Dung. Should I have popped in to see if she had saved a nice hat for me? Perhaps next time.

Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

Expand  

Awesome pics, Snaps, keep 'em coming.

[SnapDragon]

  On 3/6/2025 at 2:45 PM, rattlesnake said:

Awesome pics, Snaps, keep 'em coming.

Expand  

Can you see the vids Rattles?

[rattlesnake]

  On 3/6/2025 at 2:47 PM, SnapDragon said:

Can you see the vids Rattles?

Expand  

Yep, amazing how quickly they get the hang of it.

[SnapDragon]

  On 3/6/2025 at 2:50 PM, rattlesnake said:

Yep, amazing how quickly they get the hang of it.

Expand  

Thanks bro.

I'm using Opera on the Linux platform. Although I put the vids up OK; I can't see if they play.

Tried to log-in on Firefox, but got blocked. So came back to Opera.

IMO, ducks don't swim. They just sit on top of the water and paddle. More like a canoe.

[dawg]

Hey, no need for the 'dissing of duck type swimming

[SnapDragon]

  On 3/6/2025 at 3:50 PM, dawg said:

Hey, no need for the 'dissing of duck type swimming

Expand  

You are right Dawg.

Not yet seen any of them go underwater like a fish, doing proper swimming. Same with chickens. Can they fly like a bird?

Its all down to Bernoulli. He said that wherever there is an increase of speed of a fluid over a solid there is a force in that direction.

Anyway! Robert is having fingers pointed at him. 'Lobert no good' is all over the village.

What have you got to say about this Robert?

I demand a DNA test.

[Sotonowl]

Superb as usual Owl. 

I can't see them ducks lasting long mind, somebody will be having them away before too long.

  On 3/6/2025 at 1:54 PM, SnapDragon said:

Mildred don't like the sun. 

Expand  

Mildred isn't the only one.

  On 3/6/2025 at 1:54 PM, SnapDragon said:

Walked past the Hat Lady's shop a couple of times on me last visit to Ban Dung. Should I have popped in to see if she had saved a nice hat for me? Perhaps next time.

Expand  

Why keeps us all hanging like this Owl, and it's about time we had a pic of her.

  On 3/6/2025 at 1:54 PM, SnapDragon said:

The Mrs was definitely upset with me. Didn't speak to me, or do me any grub, or make a cup of Rosy for nearly 3 days. I asked Mildred what was the matter. She said mum was upset about having to pay for the car, by selling a bit of gold.

Expand  

Responsibility, accountability. What's she expect? FAFO.

[SnapDragon]

Snaps here.

It's Wednesday the 12th March 2025.

Got the car back. Very nice it looks too. Complete respray. Total cost for the car; 28k.

Yesterday went to insure it in Ban Dung. 8.200 baht. A bit late. Sort of shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. Showed the  insurance lady the vid of the incident. She said we wouldn't have had to pay anything at all. Did the m/c guy have insurance?

This month we went to the number 4 market.

Mrs Snaps bought a heavy-duty cover for the car. The one that she was using was getting ripped to bits by the cats.

Didn't get anything at the plant section this time.

Always does good business.

The clothes section is getting bigger than ever.

Hundreds of strides, shirts and women's stuff.

And so cheap. You could go to this market and get a completely new outfit for about 300 baht. That's hat, shirt, strides, shoes and underwear; if yer don't go commando that is. Like most farang here. Could come out looking like a Big cheese.

Although some of the designer stuff is a bit pricey.

Mildred picked out a few lovely kois.

The lizard was not for sale.

Just used to glean lottery numbers. And I got them. '2's and '0' for the 16th of this month. Easy money. Get in there.

The deal is; if you win the lottery, come back and give the stall holder a few baht for the lizard's good work.

Sad news at the week end. Found a once beautiful cat, dead at the farm. Don't know how it came to grief.

Found a nice place to bury it. Gave it a good send off.

Kun reckons it could have been a dog. There are loads around. Maybe one of the Buddha dogs. Thy roam about at night looking for prey. Killed one of our ducks a few nights ago.

Mrs snaps got talked into buying her mother's house. 400k baht. From her older sister who lives in Oz. Took the fridge out for our own use. Didn't work so good. So onto the Mazza, and off to Ban Dung. They delivered it next morning. 1.800 baht all told. Filled it with drinks; mostly water.

What a posh farm gate. That'll stop the bar girls.

Lots of chickens in our soi.

The chicks have more to worry about with the cats than dogs.

Not yet taken the election posters down. Traffic stops for a chicken family.

This house has some great ducks. Only about 50 metres from us. And a big white cat. On his way over thinking I've got some food.

Mildred letting the kois go into number 6.

Out of all the ponds, this one, number 4, is the most active at feeding time. The fish go crazy.

The Mrs started whacking my for nothing. So I walked to the farm to get some peace and quiet. Was gonna stay there all night. But she turned up at just after 19-00 with a cup of Rosy.

Millions of little flies around the light. Came on just before the Mrs turned up.

Don't ya just love cats. They always make yer smile.

+++++

Pool out of the Champion's League. Leaves the door open for The Gunners or Villa. Both should romp home tonight. Owls come from 2 goals down to win away; and gobble up the canaries.

TBH. I was gutted for the Cherries. Letting two points slip away at Spurs; after going 2 in front. Just love to see the 'also-rans' doing the bizzo.

Bad for my faves though. Worse than bad; a catastrophic week end.

Luke Littler takes the Belgium Darts Open. That's three titles so far this year. Two nine-darters in the competition.

+++++

So! The Mrs agreed to pay her older sister 400k baht for their mother's house. A down payment of 200k, and the rest in 12 months. Had to sell 5 little blocks of gold to get the money together. Got 46.100 baht for each baht gold. Confusing for sure. I could see trouble ahead however, so I insisted (? sort of) that the wife get a guarantee paper filled in. Never know what could happen. Plane crashes global warming, WW3 even.

March! Can be the hottest month. Usually April, but a couple of years ago it was March. Absolutely scorching early afternoon this week. Not yet got that sweltering night temperatures.

It's all happening in the US. The Don wants the files. The FBI, CIA, AID and the others don't want to part with them. The USAID lady boss, said to her outgoing staff, to shred and burn any evidence. Quite exciting for onlookers.

Will Greenland go independent? If they do, will they be tempted to pocket the million US dollars each to join the US club? The dosh is gonna be put in trust for any youngsters and babies. Others will get the cash. Take yer lady to the bedroom now! 55 Billion for the 6th biggest country in the world! Wow! How much for Scotland?

Got a leak in one of the water pipes at the back of the house. Will try to put off fixing it until the week end. Too busy this week.

Gonna get off to the grape plantation later today. Will get ready after posting.

One of the ducks has gone. Kun is pointing the finger at the Buddha dogs. TBH, I thought the ducks could just swim out of harm's way. Perhaps they were taken by surprise in the dark. Started with 12. Now down to 4.

Have to do the Mazza's MOT this month. I'm sure it will fly through. 265k kms on the clock. As good as ever.

Still keeping up me Bathroom Yoga. Have cut sugar out almost completely now. Just one spoon in each cup of Rosy. Don't touch any cola, or cakes, even though I'm sometimes tempted. No beer for 3 years. Stopped smoking in 1977. Didn't do my monthly fast in March. Simply forgot. Too late now. Next month for sure.

That's it for now folks. Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

[BigHewer]

  On 3/12/2025 at 5:12 AM, SnapDragon said:

Leaves the door open for The Gunners or Villa. Both should romp home tonight.

Expand  

Hopefully  

Need the English teams to do well to get that 5th CL spot next season..

I don’t mind the cherries but I wish they’d stop letting the drums and whistles in for home games. Distracting to watch

[SnapDragon]

  On 3/12/2025 at 6:05 AM, BigHewer said:

Hopefully  

Need the English teams to do well to get that 5th CL spot next season..

I don’t mind the cherries but I wish they’d stop letting the drums and whistles in for home games. Distracting to watch

Expand  

Pompy were the worst when they were in the top flight.

There was a guy in the stands with a big drum. Whacked it the whole game. Must have gone crazy in that 7-4 match against Reading the other year.

[BigHewer]

  On 3/12/2025 at 12:09 PM, SnapDragon said:

Pompy were the worst when they were in the top flight.

Expand  

Yep, I reckon it’s the same crew, just moved down the road.

[SnapDragon]

  On 3/12/2025 at 12:30 PM, BigHewer said:

Yep, I reckon it’s the same crew, just moved down the road.

Expand  

Just had a look at the highlights of Spurs v Cherries. That first away goal must surely be the goal of the season.

Penalty for Spurs second. Not in my book.

[BigHewer]

  On 3/15/2025 at 6:05 AM, SnapDragon said:

Just had a look at the highlights of Spurs v Cherries. That first away goal must surely be the goal of the season.

Penalty for Spurs second. Not in my book.

Expand  

I think Postecoglou is on thin ice.

Does his best, plays attacking football. doesn’t demand transfers…but..

I think he’ll get the a**e if Spurs lose their Europa League quarter final.

[SnapDragon]

  On 3/15/2025 at 10:30 AM, BigHewer said:

I think Postecoglou is on thin ice.

Does his best, plays attacking football. doesn’t demand transfers…but..

I think he’ll get the a**e if Spurs lose their Europa League quarter final.

Expand  

TBH, with yer, Spurs lost my sympathy when they let that pony-tailed left back go. Then Modric. Then Kane.

Big clubs don't do it like that.

[rattlesnake]

  On 3/12/2025 at 5:12 AM, SnapDragon said:

Didn't do my monthly fast in March. Simply forgot. Too late now. Next month for sure.

Expand  

How long does the monthly fast last, Snaps? As a person with a fast metabolism and an active lifestyle, I have always been fascinated (and scared) by the mere idea of spending a whole day without eating anything.

[ParaMagic]

  On 7/26/2024 at 10:27 AM, Poolie said:

What is a boonie?

Expand  

Way out in the "boonies" is American Slang for the boondocks. The word "boondocks" originates from the Tagalog word "bundok," meaning "mountain," and was adopted into English by American soldiers stationed in the Philippines in the early 20th century.

Synonyms for "boondocks" include "backwoods," "countryside," "rural areas," and "outback."

[SnapDragon]

  On 3/17/2025 at 6:10 PM, rattlesnake said:

How long does the monthly fast last, Snaps? As a person with a fast metabolism and an active lifestyle, I have always been fascinated (and scared) by the mere idea of spending a whole day without eating anything.

Expand  

Well!! My fast lasts between 36 and 48 hours. No food during that time, but lots of water drinking.

Started it a few years back in response to belly problems. When I turned 70 really. Also fatigue. I was feeling whacked out after a few hours working in the sun. Much of the food here don't agree with me. I was forever on the loo in the early days.

The fasting is one aspect of a changed lifestyle. No sugary drinks; Coke and Pepsi etc. Rarely eat rice. Some bread; but only decent loafs. Lots of meat; as rare as possible. As much veg as I can stomach.  don't really like a lot of the veg here. Fruits; when in season. And as I say; lots of water. Not had a beer for over 4 years.

Do some work at the farm every day. Go to bed usually between 8 and 9pm. I find that helps.

Must say; I'm pretty lucky with health. Just a dodgy hip, and a bit of skin dryness in the cooler months. On me lower legs mostly. That's it. Short term memory can be a bit dodgy at times; put things down and can't find them. Go in the kitchen and they're there.  Mrs Snaps says it's not her moving stuff about. Then I get a whack. So I don't argue.

Not been to a doctor since coming here. No!! Tell a porky. I hurt myself,  when I came off me cycle a few years back. My own fault for holding onto a tuk tuk for a free spin down a bumpy road. A few stitches. but nothing broken. If I could have used me right hand; I'd have sorted it out myself. Went to the local clinic to get fixed up. I wouldn't have any injections though.

[SnapDragon]

Snaps here. It's Tuesday - 18th March - 2025.

Ban Dung is gonna be the new Bangkok. Works to the North and South of town are steaming ahead.

Another Global House. There is one in Udon. One just out of Udon on the H2 toward Khon Kaen. Another at Non Han, on the Sakon Nakhon Road. They are taking over!

Just a stone's throw, further north, there is another big build. Don't yet know what this is gonna be.

South of town, opposite Big C, there is a huge building going up. Mrs snaps says that Ban Dung is gonna have its own province soon. We will see. But she is never wrong.

Not a particularly nice structure this. But I've seen three such building around. It's the colours. Must be a Peacock fan.

The salt fields are in full swing. Nearly all the salt is now collected in black holders. 

Then it's put into sacks.

Each sack weights about 40kg. There are thousands of them.

Once the rain starts, they move onto the other gathering method. Cooking/boiling. I kid you not. I'll get some pics once that starts.

They told me they were gonna wash the Mazza. I said 'no'. I explained that the pick-up don't like being washed. Would you Adan and Eve it? The next day there was a short burst of rain.

Here's Poo. Mother of the triplets.

Of course, if yer pick needs a new shaft, you just look around for a suitable branch.

There ya go.

Saw a little pick-up - very little - in Ban Dung. 

Think it sits two in the front. Will not get a lot of nuts in the back.

The bit of spare land nearly opposite us put a sign up. I'd like to rent it, for a cat's home. Told the Mrs my idea and she went to have a gander. Not for sale or rent she said. So I've no idea what the sign is about. Keep cows away perhaps!

The bulb had popped on the outside light. Soon had it sorted with an empty biscuit container. A bit of mastic to make in waterproof. And it was good to go. The original broke years ago.

Big market by the river last week. I didn't go, but Mildred did, and took some pics.

Quite popular this once a year market.

That's money blowing in the breeze.

Donations.

Mrs snaps went for the Buddha good luck.

Buffaloes.

There is something going on around this area. They have diverted a biggish river, and started major works. I'm gonna investigate as soon as I'm able to get over that way. About 10km for us.

It was me yer honour. I was manouvering the Mazza over to use when I fixed the light. And!! Who put the pot there in the first place?

Never mind. Got a ring from the farm and sorted it.

The Mrs said she didn't want the neighbors seeing my handy-work, so covered it.

Another job on the 'to do list'.

The new car cover the Mrs got at the market.

A guy dropped into the village restaurant for a nibble. What parking?!

My pineapple is showing again. This will be the third one from the pineapple head planted three years ago.

A well earned rest for the farang.

+++++

Well done Toon. are Pool on the slide. Bad little spell for them this month. Forest keeping the top 4 a reality. Seagulls earn a good point at City. What happened to Cherries? Dear me. Lost at home.

Orient win away after 6 losses on the spin. Can't afford any more dropped points if they are gonna get into the play-offs. Blades beat the Owls. 

F1 started up in Oz last week end. I was interested in the sport a few years back. Even went to Brands Hatch a couple of times. And Doddington.

+++++

A vid of some people supposedly catching kois to eat has surfaced in the UK. Sad. I remember about 25 years ago, a couple of Polish guys put a net across the Grand Union at Tring. They got caught because someone was watching from an upper window at the pub. Killed hundreds of fish. Think they got fined. But no worse than some Kiwis who shoot carp with a bow and arrow. It's a cruel world.

The first half of Mildred's holiday has raced by. She goes back to school at the end of the month for 4 days, then another month off.

There is a thread on AN about making chocolate. I'm gonna give that a go. Seems simple enough. Want cocoa powder, coconut milk and honey in equal measures. Then into the freezer for a few hours. Then into the fridge. Mildred loves chocolate.

Not done a reishi brew for over a year. Must visit the hat lady, Ting, to get some strips. Got to keep my strength up.

Anyone a fan of Van the Man? Check out his Eden Park Concert. Brilliant. Especially the Parchman Farm song(s).

No luck on the Thai lottery. No '2's, no '0's. Stupid lizard. I'm gonna stick to my own methods.

Been a couple of leccy cuts recently. The latest was this morning, when it went off a couple of times, between seven and nine.

Not so hot today. Off to the farm for the second time in a short while. Have to keep feeding those ducks.

Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.