DW
17.5.13
Steel Work
Never thought you'd be excited by rebar did you? Here's some ... The house is starting to go UP now!!
14.5.13
Missed Opportunities
Wherever i go i normally take at least one of my cameras with me, even if it's onlya phone camera.
Except for this evening when ...
The sun was sitting behind a cloud just before sunset
There was a flock of large Stork like birds flying around above us and then they settled the trees nearby
There were two water Buffalo paddling in the lake
The scenery was very photogenic
We will go there again tomorrow at the same time, armed with a suitable camera, to see if we can recapture any of what we missed today!
DW
Steel Arrived!
I hope so because we have to go back to Bangkok on Friday.
DW
13.5.13
Eureka Moment
I've tried many times to take photos in very low light settings and have always been frustrated.
A power cut arrived so we wandered outside and once my eyes had got used to the dark ... brilliant stars all over the sky. One shooting star to boot.
I thought, let's have one more try at taking a photo of the stars. Camera on! Change the ISO setting to its maximum 1600. Point! Shoot!
Nothing :(
I put the camera away and went back to star gazing. Then i had my eureka moment ... the camera can't take a photo because it is set to automatic by default. So, I thought, if I set it to manual focus maybe it will do as I want!
I went and got the camera again. Changed the focus setting to manual. I already had the shutter open for 5 seconds but I increased that to 6 seconds.
I pressed the shutter release button and after a delay of a second it took a photo ... of the stars!
I did it! Eureka!
The power cut is still with us so i can't post any photos here yet but I will as soon as I can.
UPDATE: here are three photos for you ... sorry but very low resolution although the originals are 5 Mb in size.
DW
11.5.13
Day One of my new Chez Moi Part Two
They did a lot today, considering they are using just hand tools.
A few more snaps for you. As i type this it is almost 7 pm and there are still 300 superblock blocks to unload.
DW
Proper Building Site Now
Take a look ... site mapped out, 3,000 superblocks delivered, a further 45 lorry loads of soil dumped, gravel and cement delivered ... the photo shows SOME of all of that!
DW
Proper Building Site Now
Take a look ... site mapped out, 3,000 superblocks delivered, a further 45 lorry loads of soil dumped, gravel and cement delivered ... the photo shows SOME of all of that!
DW
10.5.13
Day one of the new Chez Moi!
Right on cue the builders arrived and started mapping out the layout of my new abode. Here it is ...
DW
9.5.13
A Big Flower
Anyone know the name of this flower? I have seen several of them over the last few days.
They are about 6 inches across.
DW
The Local Fauna
This morning as we drove into town we came across several Elephants, of which this is one.
DW
8.5.13
What do you call a Frog Around here?
I think you might have guessed the answer to that question already. Around here a Frog might easily be called ... dinner!
Take a look at these specimens, though: eyes are gorgeous and their skin is smooth but LOOKS like sand ... camouflage.
You'll also see the Frogs before and after. You'll know what i mean when you see the photos :(
DW
Take a look at these specimens, though: eyes are gorgeous and their skin is smooth but LOOKS like sand ... camouflage.
You'll also see the Frogs before and after. You'll know what i mean when you see the photos :(
DW
Insects
Sitting outside next to a light anywhere in the world that i know brings insects to it.
I didn't take very good photos but this is what i got.
DW
I didn't take very good photos but this is what i got.
DW
I go for a walk and the dogs go for a Marathon
I have been taking a walk every evening here and one or more of the three household dogs go with me.
I walk for about an hour and the dogs run all over the place: even just one dog on its own will cover 5-10 times the distance i do i think.
In one place today, one of the dogs picked up the scent of something. That sent the two bigger dogs off on a digging frenzy. The Terrier idled its life away at the time!!
DW
I walk for about an hour and the dogs run all over the place: even just one dog on its own will cover 5-10 times the distance i do i think.
In one place today, one of the dogs picked up the scent of something. That sent the two bigger dogs off on a digging frenzy. The Terrier idled its life away at the time!!
DW
The 30,000,000 Baht Folly
Someone has been building a very grand house near here. I believe it's not finished yet. So we went to have a look at the thing which, it turns out, is for sale.
I will not mention the nationality of the man who masterminded this folly but take a look at the flag in one of the photos below ... it contains a clue.
DW
I will not mention the nationality of the man who masterminded this folly but take a look at the flag in one of the photos below ... it contains a clue.
DW
7.5.13
Rain ... it knows how to rain
It's a long time since i lived in the tropics. I last lived tropically in Malawi although i have travelled tropically a lot since rhen.
Two nigjts ago i was woken up by the loudest rain i have ever heard. It lashed it down.
At the moment it's happening again: a veritable downpour. A deluge. Torrential.
The electricity has gone with the storm too: i don't know for how long.
Mental note to self: don't forget to buy a generator for the rainy season.
DE
Two nigjts ago i was woken up by the loudest rain i have ever heard. It lashed it down.
At the moment it's happening again: a veritable downpour. A deluge. Torrential.
The electricity has gone with the storm too: i don't know for how long.
Mental note to self: don't forget to buy a generator for the rainy season.
DE
1.5.13
Farewell Dinner!
Chimichanga in Halifax: au revoir they said but don't come back!
Joking I am!
Snaps ...
DW
Joking I am!
Snaps ...
DW
Almost Ready!
Packing, shifting, hanging ... waiting, driving, forgetting!
Let's look at the last of these:
wanted to renew my international driving licence ... carefully put my UK driving licence in the glove compartment before going to the Post Office. How daft is that? Had to go back to get it.
earmarked so many books to donate to charity: all thought through. I waited and waited for the men to come and clear my stuff and that made me fretful as i needed to do other things too. So when the men came i completely forgot the books in my office. Aaaaggghhhh! Have to do that myself now!
I had made lists of everything else and so far so good.
I leave tomorrow.
DW
Let's look at the last of these:
wanted to renew my international driving licence ... carefully put my UK driving licence in the glove compartment before going to the Post Office. How daft is that? Had to go back to get it.
earmarked so many books to donate to charity: all thought through. I waited and waited for the men to come and clear my stuff and that made me fretful as i needed to do other things too. So when the men came i completely forgot the books in my office. Aaaaggghhhh! Have to do that myself now!
I had made lists of everything else and so far so good.
I leave tomorrow.
DW
30.4.13
Lads' Army
You've heard of Dad's Army well here's Lads' Army.
I'm not in this one but my nephew David is: centre, front.
DW
I'm not in this one but my nephew David is: centre, front.
DW
Who Wears Short Shorts?
Not me, that's a fact.
Here i am ... how many years ago??
Which one is me?
DW
Here i am ... how many years ago??
Which one is me?
DW
Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright!
Here he is, tiger. My friend and companion for several years. He went to a new home today.
I gave him a hug and wished him well!!
😥
DW
I gave him a hug and wished him well!!
😥
DW
24.4.13
Are you Listening? ... what? ... who?
It was new mobile telephone evening. Very interesting couple of hours, great to see the features of phones I had never seen before.
In the middle of the evening I asked
Mr X ... have you seen the Samsung Galaxy wifi camera?
Mr X, waving his own phone, This has a really good camera ...
Me, No it's a camera with wifi and 3G and some fantastic features ...
Mr X XXX's phone has a really good camera
Me, fair enough
A conversation should be a dialogue or a multilogue and not two separate monologues!
DW
In the middle of the evening I asked
Mr X ... have you seen the Samsung Galaxy wifi camera?
Mr X, waving his own phone, This has a really good camera ...
Me, No it's a camera with wifi and 3G and some fantastic features ...
Mr X XXX's phone has a really good camera
Me, fair enough
A conversation should be a dialogue or a multilogue and not two separate monologues!
DW
22.4.13
This is Where I Walked this Afternoon
Nice looking photos I think. And why on earth are those nags wearing coats?
DW
DW
19.4.13
Apple Good News
I am very pleased to see that my apple tree has survived last summer's soaking and our crappy winter.
I took the photo here with my iphone hence the blur!
DW
I took the photo here with my iphone hence the blur!
DW
14.4.13
Coffee Survey ... what would you do?
They brought round a survey questionnaire at breakfast: what did i think of the tea/coffee?
I completed it and answered the truth: today's coffee was too cold and far too strong.
They took my questionnaire and then hurried back to apologise, offering me a fresh cup ... hotter and not so strong.
The waiter then put my questionnaire back on the table and said, maybe you want to change?
...
What would you do now?
DW
I completed it and answered the truth: today's coffee was too cold and far too strong.
They took my questionnaire and then hurried back to apologise, offering me a fresh cup ... hotter and not so strong.
The waiter then put my questionnaire back on the table and said, maybe you want to change?
...
What would you do now?
DW
13.4.13
Veteran Cars on Display in the Karan Hotel Jubail
I am working here this week and thought you'd like to see the great cars they've got on display!
The video file is big ...
DW
The video file is big ...
DW
12.4.13
Arrived Jubail
But my luggage didn't!
Last time this happened I waited one week for my case to arrive. I went to Khartoum and because of bad weather I changed from BA to KLM ... This time from KLM to Egypt Air.
Clearly Schipol cannot manage airline changes as all of us who were affected suffered the same fate.
I should get it tonight.
DW
Last time this happened I waited one week for my case to arrive. I went to Khartoum and because of bad weather I changed from BA to KLM ... This time from KLM to Egypt Air.
Clearly Schipol cannot manage airline changes as all of us who were affected suffered the same fate.
I should get it tonight.
DW
O2 Porky Pie
After yet another delayed flight I have been rerouted so I have spent more time at Schipol Airport than I should have.
On landing at Schipol I got an sms from O2. You will understand what has happened from the following.
U said £1.99 per DAY for data so i switched it on so that i could send and receive emails to/from the office; chat on whatsapp, read the news and so on. After about two hours, a minute ago, u sent me a message telling me i had used up my data allowance. Did u tell me a lie or make a mistake?
I will follow up on this when i get a wifi signal.
DW
On landing at Schipol I got an sms from O2. You will understand what has happened from the following.
U said £1.99 per DAY for data so i switched it on so that i could send and receive emails to/from the office; chat on whatsapp, read the news and so on. After about two hours, a minute ago, u sent me a message telling me i had used up my data allowance. Did u tell me a lie or make a mistake?
I will follow up on this when i get a wifi signal.
DW
6.4.13
Read the article then read this
I tried to respond to what i think is a crass article in today's FT. The FT engine says my response contains suspected profanity.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/0e8b2180-9bf4-11e2-8485-00144feabdc0.html
Well, i can't see any and here is what i said anyway.
Isn't this just about the most ill thought out example of setting out
to prove a point and, by goodness, finding it?
This is a travesty: this is NOT what Amsterdam is like at all.
Yes, you will find a large and organised red_light district.
Yes, you will find drugs there.
Yes you will find the other things that Ms Birchill has written about
after her TWO visits in a decade there.
It's a lot like the Sherlock Holmes' dog that didn't bark. What Ms
Birchill has left out is far more representative of Amsterdam that the
lurid bits she's put in.
Are we meant to snigger and tut tut at the suggestion, not so clever
and not so hidden, that Ms Birchill goes to Amsterdam to partake of
noxious substances? Do we really need to know that? No, I for one do
not. Had I been the editor of this piece I would have struck that out
and reprimanded the woman.
I think Ms Birchill is also misrepresenting the availability of
cannabis for foreigners too: I think I am right in saying that they
recently tightened up the laws on the clots who are allowed to go and
smoke themselves silly. I am prepared to stand corrected but I am sure
I am right.
Ms Birchill's representation of the red_light district is misinformed
too. A couple of years ago I worked in Amsterdam with a woman, yes a
woman, who is a red_light district guide and my goodness I am sure she
would love to get her red pen to this article. Yes the red light
district was tightly controlled. Yes there were freeloaders and other
problems. Yes parts of it were closed down. However, what remains is
nothing like the mess that Ms Birchill is claiming. That Julie
Blindell would do well to talk to the red_light district guide too
because what she has apparently written sounds more like feminist
angst than hard reality.
Go to Amsterdam, I recommend it. You could even stay within a street
or two of the red_light district and not know it was there. There is
so much more to do than snigger about cannabis, noxious mushrooms and
alcohol. Oh! and if you do go, talk to someone who knows what they're
talking about.
DW
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/0e8b2180-9bf4-11e2-8485-00144feabdc0.html
Well, i can't see any and here is what i said anyway.
Isn't this just about the most ill thought out example of setting out
to prove a point and, by goodness, finding it?
This is a travesty: this is NOT what Amsterdam is like at all.
Yes, you will find a large and organised red_light district.
Yes, you will find drugs there.
Yes you will find the other things that Ms Birchill has written about
after her TWO visits in a decade there.
It's a lot like the Sherlock Holmes' dog that didn't bark. What Ms
Birchill has left out is far more representative of Amsterdam that the
lurid bits she's put in.
Are we meant to snigger and tut tut at the suggestion, not so clever
and not so hidden, that Ms Birchill goes to Amsterdam to partake of
noxious substances? Do we really need to know that? No, I for one do
not. Had I been the editor of this piece I would have struck that out
and reprimanded the woman.
I think Ms Birchill is also misrepresenting the availability of
cannabis for foreigners too: I think I am right in saying that they
recently tightened up the laws on the clots who are allowed to go and
smoke themselves silly. I am prepared to stand corrected but I am sure
I am right.
Ms Birchill's representation of the red_light district is misinformed
too. A couple of years ago I worked in Amsterdam with a woman, yes a
woman, who is a red_light district guide and my goodness I am sure she
would love to get her red pen to this article. Yes the red light
district was tightly controlled. Yes there were freeloaders and other
problems. Yes parts of it were closed down. However, what remains is
nothing like the mess that Ms Birchill is claiming. That Julie
Blindell would do well to talk to the red_light district guide too
because what she has apparently written sounds more like feminist
angst than hard reality.
Go to Amsterdam, I recommend it. You could even stay within a street
or two of the red_light district and not know it was there. There is
so much more to do than snigger about cannabis, noxious mushrooms and
alcohol. Oh! and if you do go, talk to someone who knows what they're
talking about.
DW
Answers on a Post Card
Well, what do you think these two bits of rope represent, then?
UPDATE ...
Come on, have a go! Make a suggestion!!
DW
UPDATE ...
Come on, have a go! Make a suggestion!!
DW
4.4.13
More Falang Tripe!
Sitting in a restaurant having a decent meal and behind us is a pony tail wearing foreigner. Fake US accent as he is from Europe somewhere.
He's talking big while his wife/partner sits silently and his audience is a young Thai man.
Maybe he's a genuine big shot, who knows!!
DE
He's talking big while his wife/partner sits silently and his audience is a young Thai man.
Maybe he's a genuine big shot, who knows!!
DE
2.4.13
Great Self Portrait!
I took this photo yesterday on automatic EXCEPT for changing the EV to +1.
I took the photo in RAW too!
Zoom in to see the detail and ignore the Alice Band!!
DW
I took the photo in RAW too!
Zoom in to see the detail and ignore the Alice Band!!
DW
30.3.13
It's Back ... the Moon
I did it again, took a photo of the moon. From my balcony in Bangkok this time.
DW
DW
Waterproof not Sweat Proof
Look at the photo: it says that this watch is waterproof or water resistant to a depth of 50 metres.
Zoom in, though, to see the effects of my sweat on the innards of this watch.
A waterproof watch that isn't sweat resistant!
DW
Zoom in, though, to see the effects of my sweat on the innards of this watch.
A waterproof watch that isn't sweat resistant!
DW
29.3.13
Scrambled Eggs err Omelette err Scrambled!
We went for something to eat. I like and eat Thai food then i will eat something more familiar from time to time
I ordered scrambled eggs: it comes with toast and bacon. I give the bacon away.
Namwan ordered her food.
We waited and when the omelette arrived i started eating it. La la la laaaa. Not bad although a bit greasy.
Namwan's Thai food arrived and she tucked in!
Then the scrambled eggs arrived 😳
Me: (confused and guilt ridden) Did you order the omelette for yourself?
Namwan: Yes!
Me: Why did you let me eat it then?
Doh!
Not done that before!!
DW
I ordered scrambled eggs: it comes with toast and bacon. I give the bacon away.
Namwan ordered her food.
We waited and when the omelette arrived i started eating it. La la la laaaa. Not bad although a bit greasy.
Namwan's Thai food arrived and she tucked in!
Then the scrambled eggs arrived 😳
Me: (confused and guilt ridden) Did you order the omelette for yourself?
Namwan: Yes!
Me: Why did you let me eat it then?
Doh!
Not done that before!!
DW
Three Films
In the last three days i have watched
Olympus Has Fallen
GI Joe
A Thai Film ... Pee Mak Phra Khanong*
Pee Mak is a hoot even though i relied on English sub titles. She's a ghost ... no she isn't ... nonsense, hair styles, slap stick, appalling rowing skills, terrible one like jokes ... worth watching!
GI Joe: Bruce Willis is really only a cameo player. Interesting storyline but the script is dreadful. Action packed and there's a ticking clock countdown ... otherwise the world ends NOW! Not the best action film ever but watchable.
Olympus: i enjoyed this. Action film, clicking tock counting down at the end ... otherwise the world ends NOW! One man hero. Couldn't stand the sight if the child wearing a baseball cap. Got sick to death of people constantly asking if the President's alright ... enjoyable action film, better than GI Joe!
DW
*Phra Khanong is my local Sky Train station!
Olympus Has Fallen
GI Joe
A Thai Film ... Pee Mak Phra Khanong*
Pee Mak is a hoot even though i relied on English sub titles. She's a ghost ... no she isn't ... nonsense, hair styles, slap stick, appalling rowing skills, terrible one like jokes ... worth watching!
GI Joe: Bruce Willis is really only a cameo player. Interesting storyline but the script is dreadful. Action packed and there's a ticking clock countdown ... otherwise the world ends NOW! Not the best action film ever but watchable.
Olympus: i enjoyed this. Action film, clicking tock counting down at the end ... otherwise the world ends NOW! One man hero. Couldn't stand the sight if the child wearing a baseball cap. Got sick to death of people constantly asking if the President's alright ... enjoyable action film, better than GI Joe!
DW
*Phra Khanong is my local Sky Train station!
26.3.13
Lebanese Food Excellent. Falang Chat Tripe!
Lebanese restaurant today in Ploenchit Centre: excellent food. Sat near two expats, they were at the next table. Firstly, they bought enough food for a week.
Secondly, they spoke loudly. They spoke drivel. And they clearly weren't listening to each other!!
DW
Secondly, they spoke loudly. They spoke drivel. And they clearly weren't listening to each other!!
DW
24.3.13
Analysis of Second Hand Car Prices in Bangkok
Take a look at my latest post on my Excel blog ... It's a combination of Excel, depreciation and other things ... http://excel2007master.wordpress.com/analysis-of-second-hand-car-prices-in-bangkok/
Duncan Williamson
Duncan Williamson
23.3.13
18.3.13
Phoooooone ... The Phone's Ringing
Some years ago i was in a railway station or airport and, surprise, surprise, i had my phone in my pocket. I was minding my own business when a man. a complete stranger, near me said to me, Your phone's ringing!
He was right! I was shocked but i hadn't heard a thing.
The same happened again yesterday. Phone in my pocket. Walking along ... phoooooone!
It happened again ... phoooooone!
It happened five or six times and even though my senses were heightened after the first two calls, i never heard the thing ring. It even vibrated as it rang too but that made no difference!
UPDATE 7th April 2013
I was walking around, minding my own business when i walked past a rucksack and inside it ... a phone was ringing. I heard it. Ta daa!
UPDATE 11th April
I was walking along, minding my own business, when i heard a familiar sound. The phone in my pocket was ringing and i heard it! Suave!!
DW
He was right! I was shocked but i hadn't heard a thing.
The same happened again yesterday. Phone in my pocket. Walking along ... phoooooone!
It happened again ... phoooooone!
It happened five or six times and even though my senses were heightened after the first two calls, i never heard the thing ring. It even vibrated as it rang too but that made no difference!
UPDATE 7th April 2013
I was walking around, minding my own business when i walked past a rucksack and inside it ... a phone was ringing. I heard it. Ta daa!
UPDATE 11th April
I was walking along, minding my own business, when i heard a familiar sound. The phone in my pocket was ringing and i heard it! Suave!!
DW
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