Geo: 16.3833, 103.933According to many of you I have been brain dead for many years but I am sure the process is accelerating. With little to occupy the little grey cells I can feel them waving goodbye by the day. I do a couple of Sodoku each morning but thats about it and not very taxing.We play gin rummy each night but again, not very taxing. (Jai wants to keep in practise to ensure that Mike and myself lose every game we play like we did last year - cheating for sure !!).... read more

Geo: 16.3833, 103.933With about 40 paperbacks being responsible for my close call with an excess baggage charge when leaving Heathrow they are worth all of the effort and on a day to day basis are keeping me sane - well, nearly. Although I am probably not reading as much as I usually do I have started book no 16 since we got back today. Changed a few books with MIke when they were here and have a large stock in house to keep me going. Along with the books that George has and which I havent yet read could possibly have enough to get all ther way through thjis trip without purchases, exchanging, any.Jai is about 1/2 way through her first strip of mat although after chatting to her friend that she works with, it may ... read more

Geo: 16.3833, 103.933Had been making plans for an early visit to Laos for a change of scenery but have had second thoughts. If we left any earlier than originally planned it would have thrown out my timetable foir visa renewals. As it stands we will go to Laos on 30/31 Aug for about a week and then this will tie in with a visit to Chiangmai at the end of November for the next time I need to do a 'visa run'.... read more

Geo: 16.3833, 103.933One of the first things that we planted in the garden once the house was complete was a row of dragonfruit. At the time they were about 6ins tall and looked like small cactuses (cacti ?). They have grown really well siince then and this year have actually produced some flowers so hopefully fruit is on the way. Originally we had four flowers come but overnight somebody, in their infinite wisodm, decided to steal one of them. As the flower itself only lasts a couple of hours when it is on the plant there seemed little point in this but, heh ?... read more

Geo: 16.3833, 103.933Well, its rain, rain, rain then more rain here at the moment. I dont mean a little bit if drizzle, I mean RAIN !!! There is a small river running along the side of the house right now and it is taking a lot of my back garden underneath the wall and into next door. I spent some time shovelling it all back last year but this year will wait a couple of months until the rain has finished so that I only have to do it once.Cake has now become a daily habit. Even Jai's grand daughter heads straight for the cupboard with the currant buns as soon as she arrives. She also has got into the habit of stealing the ice from my beer in the evenings which is a far more ... read more