Nice house. Contgrats on the build
Nice house. Contgrats on the build
Continuing to address the rain damage issue to the porch – even though the East Asian Monsoon Season was just about over – our workers Sam Lott and Sam Naht put together the lancah noi (little roof) on the west end of the porch.
This was part of The Plan, but a design deficiency that only I am full aware of. Back when Lungpaw Boon Long suggested we put a lancah noi on top the main roof for aesthetics, I should have changed the plans for the porch roof to be an A-frame – essentially establishing a 3-roof effect. It would have been more expensive, but look lots nicer. As it is, the west side roof (along with the stairs roof), now help create a look to Bann Nah of being a little like an open box with the flaps hanging to the side. Oh well, it’s done and, as I say, I’m probably the only one fully aware of it or who cares.
As with the rest of the building, the little roof on the west side of the porch was built with quality by Lott and Naht, who made sure not to have it too low so we will maintain a good view of the chedi, once it is built.
(Thip, Naht and Lott taking a break at the outside kitchen)
[ Originally posted at: http://the-isaan.blogspot.com ]
MALCOLM GAULT-WILLIAMS
Nong Bua Lamphu countryside, Isaan
I envy you so much mate, enjoy.
In October 2015, the Bann Nah porch teak ceiling was cut and nail-gunned in. I again was staining up to the every end, and sanding, as well. We had run short of the “grade A” slats and I had to work on the “grade B” stuff – slats I had originally rejected – to bring them up to useable quality. It’s amazing what one can do with a belt sander!
Sam Lott and Sam Naht (“Sam” being a title of respect, much like “mister” is in English) did a good job matching up the slats and even got creative in spots.
The porch ceiling now looks so good, that roof sections like the porch’s west side roof and stairs roof – both without ceilings – look notably plain. I’m now thinking that somewhere down the line – maybe in a year or two – we might put mini-ceilings on these, too.
[Originally posted at: THE ISAAN - Life in a Thai-Lao Village]
We had had a more extensive after-work party than usual, following the installation of the porch ceiling. Then, again, we had another good one when the stairs pad was completed.
But, these progressions marked an “end of an era,” in a way. With the growing demands on Sam Lott’s and Sam Naht’s time – to work at the temple and also help build the chedi – I knew we would now see them hardly at all, at Bann Nah. After all, it was this time last year that we had a three-month work stoppage due to Ohpensa, Boon Katin, Thung Yai trips and Giao Khao. And last year, the chedi wasn’t even in its building phase, yet.
You know that feeling you get when you watch someone leave you and you wonder when will you see them again – knowing, deep down, that it could be a very long time? Like, when you see someone off at the airport?
I had that distinct feeling as Lott and Naht drove off on their motorcycles, down Bann Nah’s long dirt road…
(our road on the right; chedi site in the distance; rice paddies in the foreground)
[ Originally posted at: THE ISAAN - Life in a Thai-Lao Village ]
^
Very interesting stuff mate, good luck with it.
I doubt, it sugar now just started
Great OP and threads , Leg. Sincerely. You have a very good attitude and understand the family parameter pressures succinctly. I salute you for your realistic and pragmatic outlook, vision and fortitude.
If someone told me , "P'Coffee , you see that home over there in the field ? That dude is from Santa Barbara." I would look them straight away and say , "You are so full of shyte. Nobody from SB is moving into that."
Leg - YOU PROVED ME WRONG. I truly am amazed.
It's not for everyman but it doesn't ever need to be - it's only about what you want and where you're at. In the end that's all that matters in life.
I wish you all the best on the road less traveled.
I wish you do get a real staircase as I for one couldn't play the ladder each and ever day.
(You truly must be young of heart and body. God bless.)
Question: As this is truly a 1-bdrm , will you be putting an outdoor shower , toilet away from the structure or directly under your home ?
Last edited by PeeCoffee; 01-12-2015 at 01:27 PM.
I think you are talking about As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee, a story related to the Spanish Civil War that would arouse the wanderlust in many. Well, I could be wrong.Originally Posted by LEGENDARY
Congratulations on a really interesting thread.
P'Coffee - I originally read what you wrote while I was travelling in Lao, last week. It made me feel so good and still does, upon re-reading it. Thank you for your recognitions, appreciations and your own philosophy. I'm having a great time in the Isaan and love to share what I'm doing and share my take on things... Yes, the ladder is not so easy, especially since it is a homemade one, built by our workers, and the distances between the rungs are not uniform... I'm in pretty good shape, but my knees are weak and I always have to watch where and how I walk, especially on floor tile and muddy walkways... Good question about the building appendages. A water tank is to be erected, feeding the grounds and bathrooms. The bedroom has a small room for a toilet and sink to be installed, but the main hong nam, with a shower, will be in a separate building from the main structure and be built of cement block and rebar. Although building it under the main structure would add greater strength to the building overall, neither my wife or I care to have a bathroom under our bedroom, as it will be used by others besides ourselves. We're confident of the structural integrity as is... Again, thank you so much for your encouragement!
Do we get an update prior to the Christmas break legendary ???
Good luck legendary it looks great.
You have a great character and the right outlook on isaan living.
I am by Roi et and.though I'm a city boy I love the village life.
I built my house over 2 years 3 including the garden and I got down at times with the progress but we got there and the kids are happy.
So I hope you have many happy wonderful years in what ever home you choose to live in great thread
Well, it's like I feared in my last Bann Nah post, when I saw our workers drive off and wondering when I would ever see them again... mykthemin actually called it right. Even after the rice harvest season, the sugar harvest kicked in and one of our workers answered the sweet call. If one worker can't work, the other won't because they're both getting paid as a team.
The good thing is that we went through a three month work stoppage this time last year, so I was mentally prepared for it. Also, with the crew away, my wife and I have been planting and watering and generally cleaning up, so we've been having fun out there hanging out by ourselves.
Thanks, jimbobs. I'm baw pen yong about it. But, I guess I wouldn't be if I didn't have another house to live in!
HEY, GUYS, JUST GOT A CALL FROM LOTT AS I WAS FINISHING THIS UP. A CHRISTMAS PRESENT! THE BOYS ARE BACK!!!
Of course they're back (wink , wink) ....it's coming up to New Year.
Just buy lots of alcohol and beer ;-)
In retrospect , Leg...in 2010 I may have actually passed through Nong Bua Lamphu 'central' after proceeding north-north-west off the Highway 2 in Khon Kaen.
The undivided , winding highway skirted a huge (totally huge) Ubonrot (sp?) reservoir before heading north again. (Looked like cattle country to me.)
Last edited by PeeCoffee; 25-12-2015 at 09:36 AM.
Thanks legendary, Happy Xmas to you and yours.
I'm not usually long on words but I must say I have enjoyed your blog and posts here on TD. Good luck in the coming year. Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
The Bann Nah well is not for drinking, although I've drunk it with no after effects... I do not know of anyone who drinks untreated well water in our area, any more, but I'm sure there are some. Most everyone drinks bottled water, now. Some use filtration system on well water. Our temple does both.Is the well your source of drinking water? If so did you have it tested or put in potable water quality filtration?
Approaching the New Year and looking back on this building thread, I want to thank you all for participating -- coming up with good questions, ideas, encouragement, philosophy and humor. In your way, you've all contributed something to the building of Bann Nah!
- In Appreciation,
Malcolm Gault-Williams
Thanks for posting the build, interesting to say the least.
But I'm confused, by many things.
Initially I saw that you built the pad up and judging by the grass on it and the weathering, you left it for a rainy season for it to settle?
Why on earth have you built it on what look like 5' stilts/stumps?
Not high enough to build under, way to high to walk up the stairs to get to where you sleep (you're not getting any younger). Given that the remaining plot, after selling to the Temple 4 Rai (from memory) it isn't that large to own a lot of Farm Machinery, if any, so I'm scratching my as to it's intended use.
How do you plan to get a vehicle, car/truck/or bike to the house/salsa?
Who will be working the Rice Paddy?
Do you get one or two harvests a year?
If not you (working the Paddy), do you plan another out building for them to sleep under?
A tin roof will be the noisiest option I could think of during the monsoon rains.
Why not Fibro-Cement tiles?
Where will the toilet be? In the dwelling, or on the ground floor?
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)