Finally up to date

Well after 2 weeks of staying in waiting the TOT man to connect us to the internet, success. Here we are. Had my 1st free gift from Mrs Cook hand picked fresh from the tree. Very tasty with fresh pineapple and yoghurt

Saturday 17th nearly caught up

Got caught in the mother of all storms today. Went shopping at the food market and the heavens opened. A good foot of rain fell in about 30 minutes. The road was flooded up to our knees. Its very difficult cycling in a 'river' especially with 10 eggs in a plastic bag. I had to get off and push the bike and the eggs through a raging torrent of water washing down the road trying to miss the potholes and the kerb. I could have ended up swimming.

Went for a bike ride just past the fishing village, no tourists but also no shade. I think Dave has 3rd degree burns on his arm?

He also has no friends so he had to play nicely on his own.

Still catching up

Couldn't go water fighting today as our air-con in the bedroom finally gave up the ghost and we had to have it replaced.

The first day of Songkran went 'swimmingly' so to speak. Made a new friend his name is Beer (red shorts sexy shirt), well thats how I interpreted it anyway. Sai must have been drunk because for the first time in 5 years she actually spoke to me and even called me Jan. SUCCESS. Mrs Cook must also have been intoxicated with something as she was also there armed with her loaded water pistol. After 5 minutes of stepping out from our house we were dripping wet. Mrs Cook on the other hand was out there all day and not a drop of water was on her. HOW DID SHE MANAGE THAT? Well I can't type very well now because I have a blister on my trigger finger. I thing tomorrow I will have to take the hosepipe from Sai.

12th April the day we had been waiting for' Songkran'. All ready for the onslaught, camera purse and phones in plastic bags inside handbag inside large plastic bag. Armed ready and dangerous with loaded water pistols ready to get wet. We didn't get wet........ we got the WRONG day. Never mind something to look forward to tomorrow.

11th April, saw Jonny and Noke tonight. Jonny has an environmental job with the government counting wild elephants. Recently he spent six nights on a platform in the trees with a Ladyboy (who was also doing the same job). Suddenly they were surrounded by 16 adults elephants and 1 baby. Jonny was terrified, he had to beg the Ladyboy not to scream like a girl and cause a stampede.

Bought an automatic washing last week for £120.00 at 11.30 by 12.30 it was installed and I was doing my first wash. Never have I been so excited about washing clothes. Magic.

Catching up

Maureen owes us one days blood sweat and a few tears. Getting that bed across was hell for Mr Cook one of his drivers and the unfortunate motorbike taxi driver who bought them round. Went for lunch in a local restauant, the waitress told us she wants to go somewhere cold, she suspects she will have to get married to do that, but oh no "nid noy farang" (not many foreigners). She's missed the boat this year, blame it on the Red Shirts.

Thailand

The journey from hell wasn't so bad, DXB to BKK we had 4 seats between us, so at least we could lay down a bit. Didn't see any red shirts on the way down. Didn' t do much today its so very hot. Have to acclimatise I guess. Nearly forgot, we have a new neighbour, he lives on the wasteland out back. He lives in a makeshift shelter in a clearing in the trees. Like the gecko he comes out to recharge his batteries in the sun, also like the gecko he is butt naked.

4 days and counting

Hello

This is our new blog! Isn't it nice!