Well due to my crappy connection and being generaly busy have'nt updated for over a month.

Had loads of visitors since the last up-date. My mate from Chinat has been over staying quite a bit (did'nt end up going to Phuket). The Gentalman Scamp was up for about four days, and then a really good friend of mine from Phuket stoped with his family for 3 days so we have had a bit of a house full. In between that went down to Korat to my wifes oldest brothers wedding for 3 nights so as you can see its been a bit busy.

Anyway to start ...the wedding.

My wifes oldest brother is chief (possably deputy) of police in Wan Nam Keow (Korat) and got married for the second time a few weeks ago (his first wife ran off with a falang!!). Anyway its the closest to a Hi So wedding we have been to. He'd booked a 3 bedroom bungalow in a lovely resort for us and the rest of the family that went down, although about half had to stay in tents as there was not enough room, and the wedding was held in her mothers house in the morning and a hotel in the night. Its the first only Thai wedding that I've been to that has been booked in an hotel (been to Falang/Thai before). Up here its more informal but with lots more people and to be honest was'nt that impressed with the hotel bit, I think I must of been living out in the sticks for too long!!

The day before we went down one of my cows decided it did'nt like me (it does'nt like anyone) and threw me around a bit cracking 3 ribs. I'd sell it if it did'nt give such good milk. The farm is really doing well at the moment we are now selling over half a ton a day (about 600 kg) and it has'nt peaked yet

My mate from phuket's story is a bit sad really. Hes been living there for about 6-7 years with his own apartment block (him and his wife built) and doing various things as well she had an accounts firm and he used to manage hotels/massage palours. Although the wave (cant spell tsu????) did'nt directly affect them the down turn in buissines did, so he's long leased the block out (cheaply) and looking for something else to do. He poped in on his way to Chiang Mai (her family are from there) to pick my brains but making a living out in the sticks is not that easy and takes time and money to build up. We started with just 10 cows and did'nt make a penny in the first year, but as I did'nt know anything about it (I'm an ex-aircraft enginnere) we had to start small and learn as we went. Fortunatly I was in the position to support myself for thet lenght of time and of it did'nt work out could of just gone home (luckly I did'nt have to buy any land)

We've had a few heavy downpours here over the last few weeks and have just had all the land ploughed ready for planting (10 rai peanuts and about 50 a very tall type of grass for the cows to eat). We'll sell the peanuts and then us the plant as a suplament for the cows and hopfully I'll get about 3-4 cuts off the grass so I dont need to buy hay in for about 5-6 months, as I'm currently spending about 20,000 a month on it (a ten wheeler ever week) it will be a good saving.

Songran has been crazy here, with the holiday and the ammount of guests I've had I have been drinking far too much, its just about over here now so I'm looking forward to drying out and as my ribbs are almost healed now geting back to some work slowly

Anyway thats all for now there been much more happening but I've forgot most of it, if any of you are interested in reading this please try and leave some comments as I'd love to know who reads and as someone said before doing a blog is a bit like talking to an empty room.

Cheers now hope you had a good holiday

RC

Well been away for a few days been down to Lopburi, well nearly Korat as its right on the border, my mates is out with his wife and family and he invited me and Dty to stay down there with him for a few nights. We stayed in a place called ChaiBadan at what must be one of the best value hotels in Thailand, lovely clean room, fridge, air, TV with a lovely swimming pool all for 400 bht a night.

So anyway had a few nights on the booze with my mate his little boy has really grown and is about the same age as my nephew here, oh he is my nephew as well as my mates wife is my wifes cousin. Also took the opertunity to go down to Muak Lek as they had a cow show on there, it was absulutly roasting in the day, but good there, it looked like most people go in the night, bought loads of hard to get hold of medicens for the cows and made some good contacts down there, so not a bad day.

It was really good to see my mate again, he usually lives in Chinnat when he is here, he3's on about going down to Phuket next month so I'm going to try and make it down as well mabye meet up with FTH again and any of the others that can make it.

Anyway thats all for now cheers RC

Oh well not updated for ages, I've got rid of my IPstar (satillite) connectiion as it was costing a fortune, so I've been trying to find an alternative. I've finaly managed to connect with GPRS for more than 2 minites, so I'll give you a quick up date, but it will be a while before any more pic's.

Well my folks were out for a month but have gone home now so some peace and quiet. Been down to pattaya and had a night out at Davethailand's "the Blues Factory" my folks really enjoyed it and so did I cheers Dave. Then onto ko Samet for a week had a really nice time, stayed at Wongduan beach really clean with good food and cheap SangSom, my kind of place and only 3 and a half hours away.

The farm is really starting to pickup now, just bought a load more cows (yes matt got some for you as well ) and loads of mine are due baby's we have something like 20 cows due before the end of next month. The "fang mak" has turned out to be really good, but I still have not got the capacity to feed just that, that should change as I've just finnished building the second silo and the third should be ready by next week. That will then give me about 40 bails a day or about a ton and a half. Just giving 15 bails raised my milk by about 10% so its really worth it.

Trying to sort out planting peanuts now, bought the seed but need to sort a sprinkler system out for about 10 rai so that I can grow all year, its supposed to be really good profit form peanuts and the leftover plant it about the best stuff to feed the cows and even 10 rai goes a long way as a suplament to hay.

Loads more's been happening but cant remember now so that all

Cheers RC

Well we've all been really busy here, having a big clean up in preperation for the folks coming out tomorrow. Dty's been brilliant getting the place all looking nice. Off to BKK soon as its Dty's birthday today as well, was hoping to meet up with some of the members from here, but does'nt look like I'll have time as I had a phone call from my mate in Phuket who is up in BKK at the moment, so I'll have to see him and then later our friend Rong (who lives in BKK during the week) has sorted somewhere out to go. It's going to be loud and a disco, but it's Dty's birthday and thats what she wants to do.

Opened my "fang mak" straw silage yesterday I recon its a bit wet so the next time we'll add less water, looks alright though and the cows seem to like it.

Looking forward to seeing my parents tomorrow, they are out for a month, which might become a bit stressful , but they are thinking of coming out for about 3 months of the year (british winter) and this is going to be a bit of a trail to see if we can live together with out killing each other I've told them they can have the downstairs of the house, which we don't use so we wont be under each others feet all the time, but I would'nt be suprised that if they like it they may build a small place of their own here.

My father loves the farm when I was younger I always remember him wanting to retire to a little farm in west wales, while I was never interested in that sort of stuff srtange how things turn out is'nt it!! Ive cleared a bit of land near the house so I'll get him planting some veg and stuff, it will keep him ocupied and he really does know a lot about growing "stuff" so I can pick his brains.

Just found out that the dogs have eat my only decent pair of shoes well only one of them so Ive got to try and find something to wear now!!!

Hi all again

Been pretty quiet here, a post new years lull.

Went up to Spee's house warming party the other day, it was a good night and I wish him all the best in the future. He's built a really big place up there its about an hour and 20 min away (nothing really when you are used to driving 45 min to the nearest supermarket). Mae went with us as after the woman died next door every one is really scared of gosts. Dtuy has lots of work for his lorry at the moment (chicken food), so he is hardly here. When he has work on he more or less lives in the lorry. the wait for collecting food can be about 8 hrs!! on a bad day so basicaly he delivers, goes back and then sleeps in the lorry until he can pickup the food and then does the same over again.

Still working on the farm, building somewhere to keep the baby cows now,although the builders are off again for 3 days, no problem as we are waiting for some one to cut the wood. We are using coconut for the roof, which is a terrible wood and after a while it has no strengh, but it's cheap (we have coconut trees, so just hve to pay to get them cut) and if it does'nt get wet and you cut it thicker it will last for quite a few years. I'd never think about using it on a house, or if you are putting a tiled roof on (as the tiles are too heavy), but for out buildings that just are having zinc sheeting roof(i've already got the zinc) its ok.

Oh for anyone who is interested, Zinc sheeting is not really any cheaper than tiles (normal non colour) to use for roofing, but as its a lot lighter, your construction costs are a lot lower, use coconut or eucaliptus(sp) if you really want to do it on the cheap, even "mai deng" (red wood) which is the cheapest hard wood you can buy is nearly as much as steel. Its actually cheaper now to build a concrete and steel house than a traditional wooden one.

Its going to be a busy few months coming up, I've got 7 cows due this month, my folks are out for a month starting from the 17th, one of the guy's form the forum may be poping up within the next few days, dty's birthday on the 16 th. Then next month 25th I think my mate(chinat 1) is back out, we are even distantly related by marrige and I look after some cows for him, so a few night on the sang som will be on the cards

In between all of that I've I'm still looking for more cows, the market seems a bit dry at the moment, so prices are going up. So if anyone hears of anybody selling some give me a PM or e-mail

Cheers All

RC

Hi all and happy new year.

Well new years eve was pretty quiet, just a few of us having some drinks, still got drunk though and chatted to my sister and parents on the phone.

Its been a bit hectic here, about 3 days ago the old woman living next to us got hit by a 10 wheeler, and died. Mae was standing about 20 meters away and saw the lorry coming, she was calling out but the woman did'nt hear. The body was a h#ll of a mess. and we had to take Mae to hospital with shock.

The woman does'nt have any imediate family only nephews and nice's, so we have been helping sort the funeral out.

The first night we all go and after the monks have finished I go home, Dty says she want's to stay and play cards (dont know why but funerals they always play cards in the night) and as Dtuy (Dty's brother) is there no probs. Dty likes to play cards, well she does'nt smoke and drinks only rarely and a little bit, so no problem as its not often. I just give her about 500 bhat and if it goes no more (well actually I dont give it to her as she already has it, but just make sure she knows there is a limit). I actually like a game of cards now and again, but prefer games with a bit more skill ( blackjack, poker ect). Up here they play Bok Gow and its pure luck, I'll play sometimes but only for little money.

Anyway Dty comes home about midnight (it's only next door) and has about 500 bht winnings. We keep a "change tin and a 20 bht note "box" which she usually gets money out off to play so the extra 500 goes in (more money for my next holiday).

About 5 in the morning I hear someone calling Dty, it turns out Dtuy had been playing all night ( these games often go on until morning) and had lost about 3000 bhat, he was calling Dty to ask if he could borrow some money so he did'nt have to tell his wife (Oh) that he had lost so much. Unfortunatly she heard him and flipped, you have heard stories of husbands beating their wife's well Dtuy's a pussy really (does'nt drink often, mess around with other women or usually gamble that much). anyway she start's laying into him and as he's very drunk he falls over and splits his head open. Now Dty was talking to Dtuy from our bedroom window and even though she is his younger sister she is very protective of him, so I then have to stop Dty going down to beat up Oh !!!

Next day every one is fine but Dtuy stays in bed all day, som num na ( if you dont speak thai, a bit like "it your own fault").

My builders are back after the new year and we have just finnished the paddock to keep the cows before they give birth, so it's moving cows day today. The little baby cows are moving as well, as we are taking down and moving the barn where thay stay (basicaly in my back garden). We have to move it as it wont pass the "standard's" right next to the house. So it's going to be fun catching then and trying to get them to go where we want, then have to go to the burning ceremony this afternoon, busy day!!

Cheers for now RC

Well where to start ??

First I'd like to give my condolences to all of those who lost friends and loved ones in the disaster. I used to live in Phuket and still visit frequently, fortunately I've been able to get in touch with all my friends there and they are ok.

It really hits home when you really know a place and have lots of friends there, back when living in Wales I would see events on the TV and feel detached as these sort of things usually happen in far away countries; it feels a lot different when it’s this close to home.

Well to life around here, we are all a bit stunned about what’s happened but life goes on. Not much been happening, that Christmas to New Year lull. We are still working on the farm, we still have quite a lot of work to do. At the moment we are building somewhere for the cows that are on "die" ( you have to dry a cow off before it has a new calf so usually you don’t milk for about 2 months before its due) to stay we want to keep these separate from the rest of the heard as they don’t need milking and eat different food, we will also move the bigger sao's (young calf’s) to the same place as at the moment they eat all the food and the smaller ones are not getting enough.

We've finished the first silo for making "Mak Fang" (treated rice straw) and filled it yesterday :-

My recipe for Fang Mak

6000 kg of rice straw (Fang)
4000 litres of water
100 kg of Urea (46%)

Put the bails of Fang into a silo/bunker 1 floor at a time.
Mix the Urea with some of the water
When laid one "floor" add some water and sprinkle on the urea, repeat for each level (4 in my case)
When full cover and keep for about 15 days until "cooked"
Uncover for 2 days and then feed to cows.

Enough to feed about 70 cows for 6-7 days.

There is quite a bit of info on the internet about it but they all vary in the ratio's of urea/fang/water so its a bit of trial and error at the moment, it should be really worth while as I only have to increase my milk output by about 15 kg a day to pay for it and we are hoping for about a 40 kg increase, which if we can hit would mean about an extra 10,000 bht a month profit. We still have to build at least 1 more silo and if successful may even start selling it. We think we will probably get some casual work in to help as its quite hard work!!

Well this is a day late, but had lots of stuff to do yesterday, mainly cooking, eating and drinking

The day got of to a bad start as one of our calfs died, not sure what was wrong got up in the morning and it was not well but died before the vet could get out.

Later the boss(nai ampour) of the ampour called in to have a look at the farm, when we have finnished they want to use it as a sort of showcase and get us to show other farms how to pass all the standerds ect. He seemed a nice bloke even helped me load hay on the back of the pick-up

Had lamb for dinner as we both love it and dont eat it often as its bloody expensive here (about 800 bht for a leg), Martin came over with his wife and little boy, but that was about it, long did'nt come home as he was working. Even the thais ate the dinner, not sure weather they were just being polite though. Dty likes a roast dinner but wont eat any potatos, but her mum loves roast potatos and not the dinner and she wont eat lamb, Oh got stuck into hers as well so she seemed to like it (although she did put chilli sauce on it )

Dty had bought a bottle of tequila as well so we had a few slammers in the night, Dty had about 3 and then had to go to bed

Here's some pic's of the day and night

[attachmentid=127] Christmass dinner, mmmmmm tasty

[attachmentid=128] Eating Christmass dinner with Martin and his wife

[attachmentid=129] Martin and Dtuy having a drink

[attachmentid=130] Oh trying a Tequila slamer

[attachmentid=131] Dty, Me, Oh and Dtuy outside the shop

Oh forgot, merry Christmas to everyone, hope you had a good one.

Cheers RC

Well I dont know whats happening here had 3 falangs visit me in 2 days!!

The night before last Frans a german who's whife lives just up the road called in. He's here on holidays, last met him 2 years ago, so we shares a few drinks and then back to his house for some more. Someone had bought some of the big sea crabs so we had tom yum boo (crab) it was really nice.

The next day while struggling with a hangover my wifes auntie calls in with here latest falang "boyfriend" but I had a phone call from Dty that she had run out of petrol so I did'nt really have time to chat with them. Then a few hous later Martin turns up, I tried my best not to have a drink but finaly gave in by about 4 o'clock, later Frans turn up with a few thais, and a load of seafood. Dty gets home about 9 o'clock (she'd been to Big C and Macro with her mum to buy stuff for christmass and new year) anyway she goes to park the car and reverses into the side of Martins pick-up Fortunatly we've both got insurance so they are off sorting it out at the moment.

Having roast lamb tomorrow so definatly no drinking today, I hate cooking with a hangover.

Cheers everyone and have a good christmass

RC

Well not a lot has been happening up here.

My builders are back and we are building the silos for making "Fang Mak" which is straw hay treated with urea. Aparently it increaces the protien from about 3% for normal straw to about 8.5% and makes it more palatable and digestable, so we will give it a go. We've been struggling with the cows since they put the cost of fresh grass up. My milk yield is way down with just giving "fang"(straw), although this is offset by the lower cost i.e 300 bht a day for fang, 1000 bht a day for fresh grass. Hopefully next year we will be nearly selfseficent in "roughage" for the cows.

The first silo is enought for just over 200 bails, but will last about 7 days, we are doing one to start to try it, if it goes well I'll build an other 2, as you need to "cook the fang for between 10-15 days.

Dtom is still off work and likly to be for a while yet, she's on about not working with the cows, I think she has lost her confidence with them, which is quite understandable, when a 500 kg cow batters you agains a wall.
I think the cows can sence fear, there is only one cow that every one is afraid of, the big black and white(ban) one in one of the earlier pictures, it thinks its the "boss" cow. I remember when we had people come cutting bamboo, I was on my balcony over looking the farm and was shouting to them to be carful as I could see ban walking towards them, it was quite funny to see them being chases around the field!!

I have had a few runings with it as well, had my up against the metal fence once, I was black and blue for about a week, but it backed off after a few good punches on the nose and an other time I had it in a head lock but was being carried around the field my wife say's I'm crazy and should not fight with the cows

Went to the movies a few days ago to watch Sagai United (thai with subtitles) nice little film, about a team of jungle tribe football players making it to Bangkok. The thing with movies here is that the thai films have english subtitles, but the english films are just dubbed into thai, and while my thai is ok its not good enough to keep up with a film, although I can pick up most of it.

Having a few people over for Christmass dinner this year again so got to go and buy some "stuff" soon. Last year was nice cos there were a few of us, but Mat and Paul (used to live in Chinat) have gone home so I think only about 2 falangs are coming this year

Cheers for now RC