Wednesday 22nd February Woke after a fitful sleep. Temperatures feel a lot hotter than normal, with humidity levels also increased. Not much of an agenda today, we are on our wind-down for Monday's journey back to Cyprus. We do, however, need to visit the Bangkok Bank for some pocket-money. Tomorrow we are off fishing again to Hua Hin, and we have also booked a special Sea Bass Dinner locally here in Khao Khalek. The Bank is on the high street in Pak Nam Pran, a mere mile away, so we ditch the car and opt for bicycles. The breeze we create as we ride along is hot and dry, and also today, there is a noticeable head wind, so an easy decision not to do a 12-miler like yesterday. Banking done, we return via the beach ... read more

Monday 20th February Very Hot & Humid today. We are enjoying Sunshine Radio music, tea, croissants and decide upon an even lazier day than yesterday. Pop along to local store, visiting Pak Nam Pran Fishing Village to retake pictures of the stinky racks of squid. This is the largest catch we've seen since the Monsoon, when all small boats were advised to stay in port. We note that Homestays here can be rented for 100baht per day (£11) for a very authentic stay, but we prefer our modern accommodation. Then it's home and upstairs onto the terrace! And we read, read, read, and laze.............................. until a cattle herder brings his beasts right past the house. The cows are placid, but he has to whack the bull several times to get him along the road, he keeps ... read more

Saturday 18th February This morning Leo suggests we visit a local park - sounds nice, will it have lakes, ducks, perhaps lilies & carp with nice little seats to relax on after a good stroll? We had decided to clean our little house from top to bottom, do all our laundry, with bedding & towels etc etc. We do need to remind ourselves that we are supposed to 'live here, like home' but we have been a little 'relaxed' about things domestic. So, yes, an afternoon at the Park sounds ideal. It's name is Rajaphakti Park and has a very grand entrance. We have passed it a few times en route to Hua hin, so knew exactly how to find it. We're a little surprised to note an army prescence, who waved us in, then again ... read more

Thursday 16th February Today it's hit the beach day. Our favourite is called Sai Noi, an easy and scenic 20 minute drive through pineapple territory. We toasted happily for three hours, avoided the sea as still a bit choppy after the recent monsoon, not wanting to be swimming alongside the ever-present threat of Jellyfish. Not many people took the plunge either. We were unfortunate to have a couple of Danish tourists take up the adjoining sun-loungers, who chatted loudly to all of their Countrymen throughout our time there, so not particularly peaceful. We got stuck into our current books, and read happily until we turned a nice pinkish colour, then decided to pack up and drive a further ten minutes to check out the neighbouring fishing village/beach of Khao Tao, glimpsed briefly on the day Leo ... read more

Valentine's Day and we are off to Hua Hin Fishing Lodge again, what a romantic way to spend our day. An easy 45minute drive, then we're settled, rod in hand for Leo, book for Paula. Takes a while for Leo's first catchable Siamese Giant Carp and it is a whopper! Took about 15 minutes to land him our helper guessed at around 20kgs and the physical effort required leaves Leo taking a few minutes before re-casting. Thus we spend a most enjoyable morning, bathed in sunlight, shade provided by trees, birdsong all around us. Around noon we decide to try the owner's award-winning Full English Breakfast. OMG. We both declared it was almost the best ever. It was huge and we fed the Lodge's resident dog with a remaining sausage and bacon that we simply couldn't ... read more