A day in the life in the North

[cyrille]

livin' the life.



cheers.

[malmomike77]

Judy at the gate.

judy has lost some weight or is it my imagination?

[Stumpy]

judy has lost some weight or is it my imagination?

Yeah she is 5.5 years now and is a damn gazelle around the property. She is like me, never sits still.

[Stumpy]

livin' the life.



cheers.

Cheers Cyrille. Another year in the books.

[Stumpy]

Well after a long discussion over New Years with my lovely wife I think we are going to part with a few of our Tortoises. With the help of my Uncle we weighed Monster. He weighs 132.6 lbs. Tommy 2 years younger then Monster weighs 118lbs. Joey tips the scales at 106lbs. While we have plenty of land to let them roam they have become the proverbial "Bull in a China shop". The big males are constantly fighting which can be damaging depending on where they decide to duke it out. All 3 males are HUGE compared to what the average is and that is primarily due to endless access to food.

While it pains to let them go, we will keep Nonny and Lucky the females and Tommy the male and sell Monster and Joey who constantly fight.

I laugh a bit because I really like Monster because he is a character and an anomaly for a Sulcata tortoise but it a lot of work to try and move a 130+ lb rock around all the time. Even our dogs steer clear of him.

With a new puppy coming in a few weeks it will be busy around the Zoo.....

[DrWilly]

Who will buy monster?

[harrybarracuda]

Who will buy monster?

I expect the chinkies would see that as a big bowl of stew.

[Stumpy]

Monster may have to be given to a Zoo. However there are few on a website that my wife is a member and they have females and a big male is wanted.

We are investigating options.

Actually HB, I don't even think the Chinese would eat a tortoise. There really isn't much meat and I have to believe that what is available, is nasty tough. But that said, the shell is desirable for both weird decoration and ground up and put in tea as I read years back.

[cyrille]

we will keep Nonny and Lucky the females and Tommy the male and sell Monster and Joey

Did your wife name the females and you the males, by any chance?

[Edmond]

I've got a feeling The Ramones were playing in the background at the time.

[cyrille]

If one called Dee Dee departed early, we'll know for sure.

[Edmond]

ground up and put in tea

Actually quite nice. But takes a very long time to brew.


The last time we did it Edith called out twenty twenty twenty fours hours to go.

[Stumpy]

Did your wife name the females and you the males, by any chance?

Actually she named them all. Monster originally was Mickey. I later changed it by default because he grew very fast and was a DH to every other tortoise.

Additionally my wife named the Dogs albeit I made some suggestions. I just go with whatever name becomes easy. Although I have to say Annie our yellow lab I typically call her Jaws because she latches on to the ball when I play fetch with them and I can lift her off the ground and she will not let go. Damn vise.

[HuangLao]

Actually quite nice. But takes a very long time to brew.


The last time we did it Edith called out twenty twenty twenty fours hours to go.

You know how that is.
Anything that grows or moves.
Savages.

[helge]

I just go with whatever name becomes easy.

Good man

'Stumpy' is way easier to remember than 'JPTT'

[Stumpy]

Well Happy Friday. First one of the New Year. I have to say the weather is absolutely perfect. 15c in am, 28c to 30c afternoon.





My early morning plant watering around the place. Got some NBA on while I work. Hammock set up for the NFL games this weekend. Some very good games deciding the playoffs. Win and In, lose and go home.

[BLD]

Me and the kids finally got in the pool in vientiane yesterday previously it's been to cold
got a person coming to look at the house this afternoon hoping to get it rented out before we leave on January 21

[malmomike77]

but it a lot of work to try and move a 130+ lb rock around all the time. Even our dogs steer clear of him.

a good sack truck/trolley

[Stumpy]

Me and the kids finally got in the pool in vientiane yesterday previously it's been to cold
got a person coming to look at the house this afternoon hoping to get it rented out before we leave on January 21

Hey Hey BLD. Happy New Year. I remember your pool build and the many family pics swimming.

How is your wife? Hopefully much better.

Cheers

[BLD]

a good sack truck/trolley

Furniture skates are good

[BLD]

Hey Hey BLD. Happy New Year. I remember your pool build and the many family pics swimming.

How is your wife? Hopefully much better.

Cheers

Yes mate she's still a wee bit quirky but really digging being back in town and being with her family. She still has to medicate and I make sure that happens at 7.30 nightly. We will go for dinner with her auntie tonight. A lovely woman who I reached out to when all that was going on .had 2 nights in luang prabang to catch up with her relatives and 3 in vang vieng utilising the new Train service. Fantastic and a game changer but still clunky to get tickets

[Stumpy]

Yes mate she's still a wee bit quirky but really digging being back in town and being with her family. She still has to medicate and I make sure that happens at 7.30 nightly. We will go for dinner with her auntie tonight. A lovely woman who I reached out to when all that was going on .had 2 nights in luang prabang to catch up with her relatives and 3 in vang vieng utilising the new Train service. Fantastic and a game changer but still clunky to get tickets

All good man. Great to hear. Sometimes an environment change works out perfectly. Certain smells, weather, language, food etc.

Happy New Year. Enjoy a few Beerlao. I had a few Darks today working around the place.

[malmomike77]

Furniture skates are good

they are and i understand they cope well with uncooperative loads

[Stumpy]

Weather continues to be just perfect. Of course my FIL is bundled up like he is trying to avoid a snow drift.



Every morning my obsessive ball fetching dog waits for me at the stairs with her ball in her mouth and follows me every where until I toss the damn thing. After about 10 or so long throws to the back forty she gets too hot and takes a plunge into the water bucket to cool off. Makes me laugh as she sits like that for about 5 minutes.





After a few more throws they retreat to the pool area and watch me walk around the property.



Had this good nature laugh yesterday. I had 2 of these bricks standing upright. I went to go move them and found this toad hanging out Not dead. Not sure what was up but he seemed quite comfy with his leg hanging out. I pushed him out and sent him on his way



Finished up making solar panel mounts for the lights my wife added.



Ahh Yes, hard work deserves a beer break. This is a Dry January ya know.... I mean hell, the Humidity is near 30% right now.



Later cook up another big bone in Prime Rib



As soon as the dogs hear the BBQ pit lid lift, they congregate in hopes of snacks. They will get the bone from the steak later.

[DrWilly]

They don’t fight over it?