Today we have come to the local School in Ban Nong Krat Noi. A little village in the middle of farmland. The School is at the end of the road. I 'pop' in, every now and then, to help out with my explosive constanants master class and was delighted to assist in expanding the coffers
I have visited many areas of 'outstanding natural beauty', but very few compared with the view from behind the goal posts.
While the Fathers 'warm up' at the shady end,
...some of the Mothers and helpers start to fill the assembly hall, ready for the speeches. You can see the delight on their faces.
The School is quite old, with timber classrooms,
...and nicely painted, yet ancient toilets.
The kids don't seem to care too much.
The seniors have a new room, behind the assembly hall. Not exactly high tech, but an improvement on nothing.
Here are some seniors, looking pleased with themselves.
Just before the main event, the sound of large engines fills the air. It's the local bike club, who have arrived to lend their support.
Some tasty machinery here including a couple of real Harleys.
Now it's time for the main event. Speeches by the Govenor, on the left, and the Head, on the right.
We all go up on to the stage, in turn, and hand over our envelopes. Then we are introduced to the crowd and thanked, repeatedly.
Lunch has been provided by the many helpers, and the kids form an orderly que.
Mine is brought to the table. This is Lut Naa, wide ribbony noodles with al dente greens and some pork, in a thick gravy. Yummy!
The biker chaps/chapesses invite me to join them and they turn out to be a great bunch.
Some are a little unruly, hidden in the folds of his belly it reads ...I kill. Fortunately, no one understands English enough to notice!
Lunch over, the bikers demonstrate the art of 'toss the can and hit it with a stone from a slingshot'. The leader is a master at it.
This goes on for a while as the kids are amazed. I have a go but I am rubbish.
At the end of the day, we all gather to hand out some party bags. Some of the kids have never seen one, let alone taken one home.
All too soon, it's time to leave. Everyone treats me like a visiting King and I feel a bit of a fraud because I gave so little. I swallow the tears and promise to come back next year.