Another lockdown… another commute

[Saint Willy]

I’m not sure your wife would be happy with you bringing home one of these….

.

[Looper]

^Balcony bird spotting at its finest

I need to study those colourful markings a bit longer to make a positive identification

[Saint Willy]

I think so. Probably Mendy needs to quarantine another few days to be sure

[Edmond]

Is that the reflection of your toilet.



In a half glass window you were hiding the phone behind?

bird spotting at its finest

Amen.

Go Mendo.

[OhOh]

So long s nothing else crops up

Have you checked your passport expiry date?

I'm very happy with my daughter's international education at AngloSingapore.

And your daughter is well aware of your continuing interest in her progress. Which in my experience ensures their horizons are not limited.

Not having a child here in Thailand I can only talk about one young lady who is a family friend. She was at a highly regarded school in Trat and is now 2 years into a Medical school course.

so no bird pictures from my balcony I'm afraid

There is one on the pool ladder.

[Mendip]

Mendip, apologies re the education its really none of my business and if that you have provided suits thats all that matters.

No need to apologise mate, education is a huge worry in Thailand. If the international school hadn't opened in Korat a few years ago it would have meant some big changes. I'm very happy with how my daughter's progressing and the Maths the Singaporeans are teaching her is leaving me behind already.

Travel Lodge, Sukhumvit Soi 11?

Money exchange? Turn right as Soi 11 empties onto Sukhumvit and there is a Chinese Exchanger just as the stairs rise up to NANA BTS.

I can't remember the last time I actually exchanged cash with a money changer... many years ago at least. Do people still use them?

The Travel Lodge is across the road a bit... in fact that parasol I spotted was by the Travel Lodge pool.

Rhododendron badge sent.

I think you need to revoke that badge, Nev.

Is that the reflection of your toilet.



Go Mendo.

Get yer mind out of the toilet... that's an upside down ash tray!


Anyway, no time for this nonsense... I'm going home!

[Saint Willy]

Get yer mind out of the toilet... that's an upside down ash tray!

Phew! I was worried you were blatting one out while you were staring out to at that pool!

[malmomike77]

^^ now remember no Leo and HongThong chasers.....at least not until next week

[Headworx]

Anyway, no time for this nonsense... I'm going home!

I for one want to see a photo of you holding up a newspaper with the date clearly showing while standing on your backyard fish pond platform surrounded by your dogs before believing you've actually left Bangkok...

[Saint Willy]

I for one want to see a photo of you holding up a newspaper with the date clearly showing while standing on your backyard fish pond platform surrounded by your dogs before believing you've actually left Bangkok...

Just make sure no sign of his manky toes included in that pic.

[katie23]

@headworx - speaking of newspapers with date, my mom had to comply with that requirement recently (photo with newspaper showing headline & date) to be able to continue receiving my dad's pension (as the widow). For her own pension, she didn't need that requirement. I had to buy the newspaper for her - had to search the town center where to buy it. After I saw her pic, I said that she's now like one of those "kidnap for ransom" victims. We both laughed at that. Apparently, the newspaper thing is a new requirement - just this year. Probably many folks not reporting the death & instead continuing to receive pension. A 1-time death benefit (cash) is less than continuous monthly pension.

@mendip - congratulations on making it back to TH and enjoy your time with your family!

[OhOh]

What news of the gardeners improvements?

[Shutree]

Money exchange? Turn right as Soi 11 empties onto Sukhumvit and there is a Chinese Exchanger just as the stairs rise up to NANA BTS.

Vasu Exchange. Always the best deal, especially for big notes.
I like cash, it is anonymous.

[Shutree]

I paid an extra £116 for Economy Extra. It wasn't so much for the extra 14cm of leg room but for the empty cabin.

A very wise investment and not really that much of a premium for the extra legroom and not feeling like a sardine.

[Mendip]

Well anyway...

I must admit as nice as Bangkok is... it was time to go home.



I've been away for just under 16 weeks... 111 days to be exact. That's long enough.

I've missed my family, but not in a needy, cringy way. It was just time to get home. Still, it takes all sorts and it's good to have a nice cuddle I guess.



Today was the day to wind this thread up.

I headed up to Korat after breakfast. Around Pak Chong there was a cluster of street-side vendors with eskies. I had no idea what they were selling but was reliably informed by my driver that it was cow's placentas. I guess it's calving time at Farm Chok Chai? Nothing could have said I was returning to Isaan better. I turned down these delicacies as much as the wife would have surely enjoyed them.

A bit later there was another gaggle of street vendors. These were selling what I believe are called moon cakes. I have no idea why they were clustered around Lam Takong but at least it gave me the opportunity to pick up something for the wife.



I don't think she was over impressed, to be honest.



And on we headed.



I finished up this work commute around 2pm, 111 days after leaving on August 21st.



Despite losing 8 kilos I returned home a lot heavier than I left!

I for one want to see a photo of you holding up a newspaper with the date clearly showing while standing on your backyard fish pond platform surrounded by your dogs before believing you've actually left Bangkok...

I've gone all digital these days HW and wouldn't know where to even buy one of these 'newspaper' things, but hopefully this will suffice to allay your suspicions?



It's wonderful to be back with the pack!





I would say that Tommy has missed me the most.



And for one moment it looked as though Yogi was going to have a go on my left leg, so got up to have a look out back for Anna.



As I suspected when I left nearly four months ago, Vigo was sick and disappeared back in October. Anna's now living on her own and I want to bring her in to join the pack. It's not gonna be easy to introduce her and I'll have to tread carefully with our three girls in particular but she deserves a chance. She is a wonderful dog.



The main obstacle to Anna's introduction will be Dan, our matriarch.

Dan had her 15th Birthday while I was away and is still going strong.



Tommy had to borrow Dan's new Fez to cover his modesty. I don't know what's got into him. Shocking behaviour.



It's back to normal, I guess!

[Saint Willy]

That cold and boat must feel a million miles away by now. Funny our persepctives change. Probably doesnt even feel like you've been away now...

[malmomike77]

Maya swimming - check
Dan in costume - check
Coco's flight flaps ready for landing - check
Tommy watching Yogi shagging anything with a pulse - ang on what is wrong here

great to see Dan still with us and i gather you've wanted Anne in the compound for a long time - hope that works out and it'll keep you distracted from...

[Saint Willy]

and it'll keep you distracted from...

Yep, time to move over to this thread. the Ashes thread is ashes.

[reddog]

Great thread Mandip, nice to see you arrived home save and sound.

[malmomike77]

Yep, time to move over to this thread. the Ashes thread is ashes.

Well Mendip needs to stop tuning into the Ashes - he's fallen off the wagon again

[Stumpy]

Well anyway...

I must admit as nice as Bangkok is... it was time to go home. It's wonderful to be back with the pack!

Welcome back Mendy...I sure hope you washed off your leg after he rubbed one off on ya...


Btw, I still have your Singapore Airline spoon I "Borrowed" for ya

Cheers

[bsnub]

Glad you long journey is over! Cheers Mendy!

[katie23]

Congrats on the trip home, mendy.

Glad that old Dan is still hale & hearty. I still remember her other costumes. I liked her "hiker Katie" costume - very apt.

[Reg Dingle]

[Saint Willy]

More to the point, who da fuck took that photo????