My post-lockdown commute back to work

[Mendip]

Never fear, my smart sandals are safe and I'll be donning them soon.

The gardener should be cleaning the pool with any luck.

I'm feeling sorry for myself while waiting for my driver. The plan is to leave around 11am so we'll hit Korat at school pick-up time.

I'm gonna surprise the daughter!

[Headworx]

^Good on you mate, it's been quite the journey so be safe and slap your driver around the ears if he/she seems hell bent on fucking things up on the final leg of your travels! Get a few 7/11 ham-cheese toasties into you during the ride, hungover and empty stomach while moving don't mix well.

[baldrick]

ham , cheese and egg if you can find them

[Mendip]

That's a great idea, I love those toasties.

I picked up a couple of Yorkies pork pies from Villa Market as well. I'll spoil meself on the journey.

[aging one]

The plan is to leave around 11am so we'll hit Korat at school pick-up time.

I'm gonna surprise the daughter!

What a brilliant idea!! Its gonna be classic when she spots you mate. Wish I could be there to film it.

[Saint Willy]

I'm gonna surprise the daughter!

Perfect! She's gonna love that!

[OhOh]

Your wife knows you're on your way, right?

[Mendip]

^ Oh yeah, that would be a surprise too much.

She's heading out to Korat Chef today to pick up some steak and kidney pies!

[David48atTD]

^ Oh yeah, that would be a surprise too much.

She's heading out to Korat Chef today to pick up some steak and kidney pies!

... and a kilo of frozen peas?

[Saint Willy]

... and 20 kilos of frozen peas?

FTFY.

[Headworx]

Speaking of peas, what type of sorcery is this Mendip?
Peas and pudding? Worth a shot or no?

[Steady]

I'm a bit annoyed with myself if truth be known.

Been barebacking have we?

[Mendip]

Any peas are worth trying mate. Pease pudding goes great with some ham and potatoes.

Coincidentally, yesterday I picked up 5 tins of the Batchelors Mushy Peas at Villa Market. Mine were only 51 Baht a tin as well!

But they weren't the 'Original', I got the 'Chip Shop' variety which are a bit more mushy.

[Headworx]

^OK will buy a tin next time to try. Have got 2 racks of lamb coming up to room temp to cook later today, not sure if they'll be cut into chops and pan fried or baked whole in the oven yet but there'll be mash potato and minted peas on the side either way

[Mendip]

This is Od.

My chariot awaits!



I first met Od nearly fifteen years ago. I arrived at Don Muang from my first work rotation after moving to Korat. Od has a very attractive wife and she talked me into taking a 'limousine' up to Korat, and after I agreed she led me to her husband who was waiting down stairs.

I've used Od ever since... he drives steady, you can trust him with your bags in the car and I've never missed a flight when he's been the driver. He also doesn't mind the occasional strange request... today I want to pick up a couple of lemon trees on the way through Pak Chong. For many years I had Od stop at a lay-by near Lam Takong so that I could put a couple of rocks in the back of this car. I did this for maybe six years until I had enough to build my rockery at home. Od didn't seem to mind despite the mess it made in his car.

I pay him extra but he's worth every Baht, and besides it's usually on expenses. He's based near Suvarnabhumi now and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him... he certainly needs the work at the moment. If I travel with my family he uses his wife's Fortuna so there's no problem with luggage. Please PM me if you ever need a driver.

Twp stories about Od...

One time I had an early morning flight so travelled down from Korat the night before and stayed in some dive close to the airport... The Valentine Hotel I seem to remember it was called. When we arrived I paid Od and off he went. The next morning I went out to look for a taxi and Od was still there... he's slept in his car for the night so he could take me to the airport in the morning. And he wouldn't accept any extra payment.

Another time we had to stay in Bangkok for a few weeks because of a very sick family member who was in hospital. Od recommended we stay at this hotel in Patpong, just a short walk from Chulalongkorn Hospital. When we arrived we had to avoid reception and check in with the bellboy, who was a mate of Od's. We had a big suite for several weeks for the price of a standard room. I have found that to usually be the way in Thailand... favours often get returned.

[Mendip]

^OK will buy a tin next time to try. Have got 2 racks of lamb coming up to room temp to cook later today, not sure if they'll be cut into chops and pan fried or baked whole in the oven yet but there'll be mash potato and minted peas on the side either way

Sounds great!

I bought some lamb fillets at Villa Market yesterday... the cost a small fortune but Is thought I'd spoil myself... well and the wife and daughter of course.

I may even get my skillet back in action this week!

[Stumpy]

Awesome Mendy, Travel safe and your daughter will be quite surprised and happy to see you.


BTW, what is it with you guys and Peas and Beans...I just do not get it. Is it because you can open a can and eat them cold or pour in a bowl and heat them up in a microwave and no one has to cook for you?

[ootai]

^ Oh yeah, that would be a surprise too much!

Who for you or her?

[OhOh]

I'm horizontal with a raging headache

Should have taken the train.

[Shutree]

Any peas are worth trying mate. Pease pudding goes great with some ham and potatoes.

Coincidentally, yesterday I picked up 5 tins of the Batchelors Mushy Peas at Villa Market. Mine were only 51 Baht a tin as well!

But they weren't the 'Original', I got the 'Chip Shop' variety which are a bit more mushy.

Good afternoon Mendip. The thread nears its end. Safe landings in Korat. I'm sure it will be great to see the family and the dogs again.

Isn't pease pudding made from a different kind of pea? A bit like dahl? I haven't seen it for decades but as you say it was served with ham like a kind of sludgy soup when I was young. Looks a bit sad, tastes okay.

[Neverna]

today I want to pick up a couple of lemon trees on the way through Pak Chong.

Lemon or lime, Mendip?

I wouldn't mind a couple of both, tbh.

[Mendip]

BTW, what is it with you guys and Peas and Beans...I just do not get it. Is it because you can open a can and eat them cold or pour in a bowl and heat them up in a microwave and no one has to cook for you?

I could just as easily say what is it with you guys not eating peas and beans. I just don't get that.

Who for you or her?

Good question...

I learnt my lesson with surprises... many years ago I flew in to Bristol after a work trio to surprise my parents, but they were away on holiday. I spent the week in their house on my own.

Should have taken the train.

I'm through with trains in Thailand after my last experience.

Although coincidentally... another thing about Od is that his dad lives in Sara Buri, so we popped in to visit him as we drove past. The way things are looking we'll arrive in Korat way too early to pick up my daughter so he's driving extra slow and we'll have to stop for lunch to waste an hour.

We had to cross the main Korat railway line to get in to Sara Buri. Korat is around 150km along that line.

Isn't pease pudding made from a different kind of pea? A bit like dahl?

I seem to have a gap in my pea knowledge here. I think pease pudding is made from dried peas. I'll have to do some research when I get home and make some up.

Lemon or lime, Mendip?

It's lemon trees I'm after. We've got loads of lime trees and they do really well in our garden. We used to have very successful lemon trees as well but they didn't live all that long. While they lasted though we'd get a few hundred lemons a year.

[cyrille]

Lemon or lime, Mendip?

I wouldn't mind a couple of both, tbh.

Anything that helps avoid bloody Jif in a G + T.

I wish I could expunge that 'idea' from my consciousness.

[Stumpy]

I could just as easily say what is it with you guys not eating peas and beans. I just don't get that.

Fair point Mendy. Carry on with your Peas and Beans.

[nidhogg]

Anything that helps avoid bloody Jif in a G + T.

That honestly took me a while to decipher. Finally the penny dropped: