And Nellie came too

All the family roll up in pickup trucks, if they have big pickups they can bring their pets along.

Another first

Today, being Christmas day we went to watch the longboat races, as you do. As you can hear from the commentary they are very excitable people. Our friend says people go there firstly to listen to the commentary secondly to watch the races. We do wish we could have understood him. Funny none the less.

Tops of the charts Thai style

Christmas no. 1 perhaps?

They must be German

9pm and they have already reserved the deckchair for tomorrow.

A desperate plea

If anybody can tell me what happened in Coronation St PLEASE email.

London to Brighton?

We went all the way to Hua Hin to see the vintage cars only to be told they were still in Cha-am. We didn't know they were coming along the coast road, 2 minutes from our house. Its the Thai equivalent to the London to Brighton veteran car run. Bangkok to Hua Hin Thai style. Some interesting cars mainly from Europe. The oldest was a 1904 Darracq. Lots of Lady Penelope lookalikes. No Parkers. (Old joke)

Top pic Darrecq, middle pic Peugeot 201 and bottom Ford Thunderbird.

Winter

If its any consolation to anybody today is like winter. I'm in jeans and this morning when we went out Dave wore a jacket. Yesterday if was 35 degs. today 25 degs. Still I suppose we are saving on aircon and fans. No snow yet though!

Ouch

I bet this hurt.

International rescue

Today at 5am I was woken by a persistant crying. It was one of the tiny kittens. It had managed to get over a 6 foot wall and into the 'swamp and jungle' at the side of our house. We tried food and calling it. No response. Then 'Fat Boy Svens' wife/girlfriend came out and ask us what we where doing. She did not hesitate, dressed only in shorts tee shirt and flip flops she climbed the wall got down the other side and after a while she found the kitten. OMG how could she go in there, we have seen very large snakes and an even larger Moniter lizards. There are all sorts of bitey things in there. Still living with FBS she must have seen a lot worse.

And mother makes 7

Three more kittens, when will it stop?

Christmas

This is Christmas at our house (the only house in the street with decs). I think this is as good as it gets. No tree so we had to improvise with a garden fountain.

North/South Korea

Until this morning we were getting a bit edgy over the situation in Korea. Let it be said Thai and Scandinavian are forces to be reckoned with. Big argument in the street this morning over dogs. Mrs C (Thai lady) can't normally put two English words together, but this morning she didn't stop for breath, all in English I might add. I was very impressed. Our road used to be like Coronation St, but I think now its more like Albert Square.

Lizard stops work

The work in the bathroom has come to a halt. Neither of us feel happy about removing this skanky lizard from the cement bucket.

Happy Birthday

Today is Fathers Day and The Kings Birthday, 83 today, (today being Sunday 5th) happy birthday. No coincidence, Mothers day is on the Queens birthday. Cha-am is so quiet they all must be at his party. Our invite must still be in the post. Just as well perhaps as we wouldn't know what to buy him anyway.

A First

This week they held some heats for the 2012 Olympic beach volleyball. The first day we were too early, the second we arrived too late, on the third day we finally made it. The heats we saw were between Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. Not sure we still want to go to Vietnam if all the people are as miserable as their volleyball teams. We seemed to attract some very strange spectators. Also why is the Thai boy wearing his mothers tights? The best thing about today (apart from the Thai boy) was it was free.

Sending sunshine

A little bit of sunshine for all you people digging cars out of the snow.

Flat tyre

No its a cat tyre.

Catching some rays

Opening the window to take this picture, brave or Stupid? Ok you decide.

Peace at last

Well Dave this morning told Fat Boy Sven to remove his very noisy air-con unit from our wall. He's not happy but its happening right now. Now I'm waiting for a couple of Thai boys to fall through our kitchen roof!

Views

Fantastic views, where were we I hear you ask? Completely and utterley LOST.

Loi Kratong

It's a light festival. Small boats made from banana leaves, candles, orchids and joss sticks. Candles and joss sticks are lit and then they are put to sea by two people. Apparently the two people are 'forever together in this life or the next', or if it is farang and Thai its 'together forever or until the poor old fool has no money left'. Hundreds of chinese lanterns were also lit as well as, quiet frankly p@&% poor fireworks. They need you over here Nathan.

Christmas has arrived in Cha-am

Last night, 20th November, we saw our first Christmas tree, fully dressed with tinsel lights and baubles. Not bad for a Budhist country!

I don't believe it

This school girl outfit is for a dog. The four legged kind. So if your dog is going to a fancy dress party give me a ring, I know where to get the perfect outfit.

New jeans

If you can't find a changing room get yourself a BIG skirt.

Fire station

We cycled past the Cha-am fire station and noticed a few really old engines. The firemen noticed us and ask us in. Much to Jess' embarrassment we went to look around. The fire engines in the pics are 50 and 60 years old. They have up-to-date tax discs so presumabley they are still in service?

Jess' new friend

Found wandering around Cha-am market. (Not Jess, the thing beside her).

Ayutthaya

Was absolutely amazing, lots of walking, eating and of course drinking. Went up there by bus, it took about 5 hours, came back by train and bus but took about 9 hours. The train I think was mainly for freight as we had to sit surrounded by parcels and packages. They were slung out of the windows when there stop came. We were getting a bit worried by this time. But it was only 20 baht each.

All gone

Both 'guests' have now gone home, back to normality.

Where did this come from?

I saw this today swimming past our kitchen window. Look at the size of it, and, how did it get there?

Sign found in a ladies loo!

Get the picture?

Phetchaburi

Today, we went to Phetchaburi and had a look around a few of the Wats.

(Photos courtesy of Jess- arn't they great!?)

Shopaholics not so annoynous

Having had my sister here for two weeks, shopping every day, we now have two shopaholics. Jess has arrived. Armed with cash and shes not afraid to use it. Been shopping this morning to buy some 'essentials' shorts, tee-shirts and a jumper etc. Tonight is Cha-am night market, its ok I haven't let Dave buy a new wallet yet. Friday night is the big one, shopping at Hua Hin night market. Deep joy, still they both go home in two weeks.

Penang again

Just got back from Penang renewing our visas. Penang was, well Penang. Hotel was foul. Had to upgrade our rooms. Swimming pool not bad, but if you are ever in Penang DON'T GO TO THE GRAND CONTINENTAL HOTEL. One our second day it rained so we thought we would take the free bus around Georgetown (the capital of Penang) to have a look see. While we were waiting an elderly gentleman started to talk to us. Myself and my sister saw where the conversation was going so we stepped away, we didn't tell Dave. Poor Dave got stuck with him for a few hours talking about religion and history. We thought we had thrown him off when we had to change buses, but no there he was smiling and waving. Another man got on making bird noises and smiling to himself. So if you are ever in Penang on a rainy day don't take the free bus, its full of NUTTERS. Back in Cha-am now where the nutters are friendly.

Lost a wallet gained 3 !!!!!!!!

Look what we found on our doorstep this morning. Dave has been feeding them because in true Thai fashion the owner has naffed off and left them to fend for themselves.

Chile

A good job jobbed. Well done.

Chile

Just spent the last 7 hours glued to the internet watching the rescue of the Chilean miners. Amazing. Now I'm out of tissues so I have to turn it off. Well done Chile keep up the good work.

Neighbour

Well our neighbour 'Fat Boy Sven' is back. I was thinking to myself, wondering what colour "budgies" he's going to have on tomorrow. Then I saw him, when he left he had grey hair, now he's either wearing a big bad wig or he's dyed his hair black. OMG whatever next. Perhaps Dave will be next? Let the fun begin.

Replacing driving licences

We found the office no problem, all we then had to do was find someone who spoke English. Near success, he could say Liverpool Football Club. Started filling out more forms in triplicate, half way through he said it was his lunch and for us to come back at 1pm. We took the bike round the back roads and found a fantastic national park and it was free to get in. We climbed up the cliff and what a view. You may think Daves contemplating suicide in the picture but no. He is just taking in the view and wondering how he is going to get down. Rode back to the office picked up the licences and off home. All's well with the world again.

Gone in 60 seconds

Last night we went to Cha-am night market where Dave was the victim of a pick-pocket. He realised what had happened about 5 minutes later we quickley rode home to put a stop on his debit card. Fortunately all they got away with was 2 Thai driving licences a stopped debit card and 47 baht. Dave only carries spare coins to give to the beggars. Then we had to report it to the police. Now we do have tourist police here who speak English and they were open, but there was nobody in. I guess they were all up the market!!!!! So we had to call on our friend Mr Cook who came to our assistance and came to the Thai police station with us to translate. Filled out all the forms in triplicate and off we went. Not before Mr Cook and the head policeman had exchanged business cards why I don't know.

Fish

As I said earlier the field at the back is now flooded with rainwater. So would someone please explain how we now has FISH swimming about in it?

The RAINS

Its started, in ernest. For the last 5 nights or so we have been woken up at around 2am. Thunderstorms, its the loudest brightest thunder and lightning ever and they go on for hours. The whole house shakes. Yesterday our friend rang to tell us Hua Hin (the next town) was flooded. People couldnt get in their cars as the water was half way up the doors. He said you could go white water rafting in the main rd. The field over the back of us is flooding nicely, we should get a lot of weird wildlife out there soon. Already the herons have arrived. People tell us this should only last until the end of October. I really hope so, I HATE thunderstorms.

Not often seen

In the UK anyway! This is the FRONT of the bus.

Something pretty

The sky tonight.

Bike

I've been riding my bike since we arrived in April. Its gradually been getting squeakier and squeakier. Dave today decided to do some 'maintanence' on it. Daves idea of maintanence (don't read this Steve) is to hit it with a big hammer. As he did this a termite nest dropped from under the seat. So for the last 5 months I've been sitting on live termites. Lovely.

Yummmmm

Who would like a number 026. If you know what it is please tell.

BUGS

Sent Dave down first this morning and what did he find. NO bugs dead or alive. I think we have just wasted £100.00.

De-bugging

Well today we had the pest control men around. They inject chemicals into the floor and walls to kill of cockroaches termites etc. I think tonight we will go over and stay at my sisters house. There is nothing worse than getting up in the middle of the night and getting dead bugs between your toes. YUK. I will send Dave over early in the morning to dispose of the dead bodies.

The joys of living with a septic tank and an IDIOT

Our toilet upstairs has not worked properly for about 2 weeks. Today we had a man in to empty the septic tank. Deep joy. Still the toilet would not flush. The man then asked for a hammer and chisel. Oh we thought hes lost it and hes going to smash it to bits. But oh no. When Dave (the idiot) tiled the bathroom he found a small hole next to the said toilet. He thought he would fill it with cement. It turns out it was an air vent that made the toilet flush!!! Who would have thought it.

One more thing

We rang for a bucket of ice. What do you think we got? No not blue towels, NOTHING. Although she/he said yes sir, she/he then rang Jonny to ask him what we wanted. So we did get ice but only after he ordered it for us. We must learn the Thai for "Please could we have some ice". I think its a necessity, don't you!

Ugly Bug

Have you ever seen an uglier bug than this. They were flying around like Schinooks last night. The night guard said they are delicious. I'll take his word for that. This one was dead I might say or I dont think Jonny would be holding it.

Egypt has......

Egypt has The Valley of the Kings, Thailand has The Valley of the Bizarre. Believe it or not this is just one of the strange hotels that we passed along our way. To stay in DINO was 9000 baht a night (£180.00 approx). Another was called The Camp Boutique Hotel, some rooms looked like they were canvas tents. I will let you decide for yourself about that one.

We are back

This was our room.

Well, Jonny and Noki was picking us up at 8.30 then it was 10.30 then it was 11.30 and finally picked us up at 12.15. Thats Thai time for you. After 15 minutes we stopped for lunch. It was going to be a very long journey. Eventually arrived at the hotel about 4pm. It was supposed to be like New Zealand, never having been I would have to ask Sandi. There was sheep and fields and hills. Just like Sussex really, we thought we had come home. All the rooms were named after NZ towns, we were in Hamilton. Jonny and Noki were in Stonehenge, is there really a place in NZ called Stonehenge. Another one for Sandi. Nothing much to do there apart from eat drink and chat.

Into the unknown

Monday we are going somewhere with Jonny and Noki. They have booked the hotel, its 2160 baht per night so it should be a good one. The only thing is, as I say, we don't know where or what we are going to be doing. If Jonny thinks I'm climbing trees to count elephants he's very much mistaken. I expect we will find a bar somewhere and let them do the climbing and counting. I'll let you know.

For the girls

Found in a bar, we go to all the best places. Hope you can read it.

Something Interesting

Our friend Noki told us last night that people are catching F*** You lizards and selling for thousands of Baht per kilo, to Singapore. Apparently they are doing a lot of research into a cure for HIV. I just knew they were put on earth for a reason, and they are not here just to scare the life out of me. I do hope what he said was "not lost in translation", as sometimes happens with Noki.

Klong Phlu Falls

We took the hotel mini bus to Klong Phlu falls on the 3rd attempt. The falls were closed the last 2 days because there was to much water. The driver dropped us at the bottom then we had to trek uphill for an hour. Through streams, mud and slippery rocks. When we finally reached the top it was all worthwhile. Really spectacular. All we had to do now was get down in one peice.

Blue Beach Towels

After a big thunderstorm in the night the next day was brilliant, wall to wall sunshine. Great. Went to the pool, where there was nobody but us. The pool all to ourselves. Later that afternoon we decided it was gin and tonic time, (we bought our own with us, Daves so mean). We phoned for some ice from room service, two minutes later we got TWO BLUE BEACH TOWELS. OK misunderstanding so we rang again, ok they said. Two minutes later TWO MORE BLUE BEACH TOWELS. Ok last try called again, "Please can we have an ice bucket full of ice in room 453". OK sir 2 minutes. What arrives, TWO BLUE BEACH TOWELS. So now we have 6 BLUE BEACH TOWELS and still no ice. Gave up at this point and Dave went to get some (ice that is not blue towels).

Koh Chang arrival

Went to Koh Chang from the Eastern Bus Terminal where I have never seen so many cockroaches, mosquitoes and rats all in the same small area. VILE. The bus held 44 people but there was only 8 passengers so we could spread ourselves out a bit. The only problem was that the temperature was about 10centigrade, so we had to huddle to keep hypothermia at bay. After a 4 hour bus journey (188 baht per person) we arrived in Trat. 4.15am torrential rain. Off to a good start. Had to wait until 6am for the first ferry, and oh what a ferry. We think it is a relic from the 2nd world war, but it made the 1 hour crossing. Still raining. Hotel was fantastic as was the swimming pool, beach etc. Only drawback was the road to the hotel, the last bit off the main road was an overgrown dirt track where the taxi drivers wouldn't go big pot holes everwhere. Hotel buses ferried people from one end to the other.

Look carefully

Guess what Dave had for lunch? Well it is Thailand after all.

Thunder storm

Last night we had an enormous thunderstorm, about 3am. The thunder was so loud the windows were rattling in their frames. The lightning was flashing outside our bedroom light was flashing inside. Although the switch was off. The dogs were howling the frogs were croaking and the lizards were screaming F*** you. It was an absolute circus. So we being British got up and made tea.

Rain and then some

Just a small river to wade through to cross the road. Not bad for a 10 minute shower.

Friday night

This is how we spent our friday evening, selling Tee-shirts for 200 Baht each. It was, I guess for a good cause, Jonny is trying to save the Thai elephants. All monies go to charity, any takers about £4.oo each. Tee shirts not elephants.

Believe it or not?

This is a glass of water just been filled from our kitchen tap. This is why we drink a lot of beer, wine, gin and tonic and anything else alcoholic. This is not normal so we do actually shower in nearly clean water.

Squatters already

I don't know we were only gone for 3 weeks and already a single mother with 1 child and one on the way have moved in.

In my only orchid with buds, don't suppose I should water it now.