Tropical Fever

I woke up yesterday morning feeling stiff and heavy. I could hardly move. All I wanted to do was lie down and yet, my back really ached and my body was sore and dull. I also vomited as I was preparing to go to school. So, I stayed home. I felt like I was made of wood and couldn't do anything. It took me hours to get the strength just to make some chicken soup.

Eventually, Oi suggested I should go to the hospital and after a session of reasoning and listening I conseeded. Going anywhere for us is a chore as riding the bike with all three of us is not the safest way to get around and the Thai drivers are very unsympathetic as they hurtle by in their 4x4s.

Then our neighbour, who has been ostrasized by the rest of the community offered to take us to the hospital. Lightening service as usual and medication presribed and I woke up early this morning as right as rain, apart from "The Squits". It's such a relief to feel good again, and I shall return to work tomorrow.

I have been listening to some HG Wells audiobooks lately which are excellent. These are, The Island of Dr. Moreau and The Land of the Blind. I really love the style of HG Wells and Jules Verne. Always chilling and sinister. I hope to listen to some more.

We are now trying to work out how to get Oi and Grace a visa for the UK for next year. There is a high failure rate and I have to transfer vast sums of cash in Oi's account to satisfy the UK Visa people. Luckily, Pee Lek in the office is going to help us, but we have to get busy now as the authorities require a history of bank records. These days, my brain cannot focus on forms and stuff anymore, so I have to leave it to Oi to sort out.

Friday Comes Around

Let out early from school today. It's been good fun and the kids are learning at an amazing rate. I'm very pleased with progress this year. A shame the salary does not reflect it.

Tom came over last night and we sdank some beers and sat out back in the balmy evening. We nearly always have a hoot, exchanging music tips and philiosophies on life. He must have some inkling now about who I am and what makes me tick.

I must say the PC game Singularity really is a great crack. The usual shooter in a soviet radioactive destroyed launch site. Very creepy, very fun and some excellent shooting opportunities. Highly recommended.

Downloaded some HG Wells audio books which look a treat, including The Island of Dr. Moreau.

Bought some carrot, tomato, lettuce and spinach seeds at the Hat Yai fair. They are now beginning to sprout.

On a sad note, a young girl was kidnapped, raped and murdered at the fair. Her body was found out near the airport. Not reported in the media, just word of mouth around the town. Thailand is known not to report stories that may affect business.

Been on some motorcycle jaunts around the countryside. Lovely at about five in the evening gazing at the hills, farmers in the fields etc. Still walking in the forest too.

Grace is just changing every day and will probably soon to be walking freely. Her birthday was a laugh. Eventually, folks turned up and the kids had a great time. It is good to see Grace mixing, laughing and wanting to join in with the other kids. Oi has done a good job of uniting some of the ferocious neighbours.

Thanks again for all the parcels from abroad. It is great fun to receive them.

Matanoy (Grace's Friend)

Grace's 1st Birthday Party

New Toy and Pat's House Later

Snacks Around the World - Shredded Squid and Fish

This month, our experts have been in the remote jungles of Southern Thailand.

We discovered this crap shop, selling overpriced crappy snacks and crappier beer.

Hidden under a packet of elephant's toenails, we uncovered an as yet unreported snack very popular with the local natives; shredded squid and fishes.

Normally ingested with beer they are surprisingly palatable to the Western gustatory cells.

Unfortunately, the squid had been articially spiced up with chili powder and the fish was bland and tasted like moldy cardboard.

Bathtime