Author Archives: Andrew

Checking out the bike & Inspecting the Rice

BANDUNGLIFE Posted on by

Went to the farm  Today to check if the chain was OK on my bike since it was not far to go . The rice is looking good tho’ there are some areas that had not been planted – must ask Tim why.

 

Because everything was lookin good with the bike I carried on for another few hours. On one of the tamac sections I noticed my rear wheel had a distinct wobble to it so I thought it was buckled again. Checking the next day I saw the rear tyre had burst in one section casuing the wobble. I’ve replaced it with one of my old tyres  which seems to have corrected the wobble but the rear wheel does not seem to be perfectly round. Will go for a ride to check it out and buy yet another set of tyres. I seem to be going through tyres & tubes at an alarming rate. Also need to replace my water bottles & buy a bike bag.

 

Rubber production – Plantation 2

BANDUNGLIFE Posted on by

The Rubber production is now well & truly under way at Plantation 2 with the majority of the trees being tapped.

Rubber ready for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are some pictures of the Kii Yang being sold at the farm & Loaded into their pickup.

KII Yang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It will still be a few years before the Latex  content in the Rubber is high enough to justify making it into mats. The rollers are still at our home in Ban Dung but will need shipping to the plantation some day.

Eventful Ride

BANDUNGLIFE Posted on by

While we were having new wall fans fitted I decided to go for another ride. At one point I came across a section of washed away road which I managed to find a way around.

 

Later after making a  wrong route choice which took me miles out of my way  I headed back towards Plantation one & home. A kilometer before the plantation my chain snapped and I pushed my bike the rest of the way to the plantation  where I sat in the shade to repair the chain. For once it only took me 10 minutes as I managed to just push the pin out far enough to remove a link and join it back together.

One of the ladys who was working there painting the trees came over to watch me fix it so I was releived when I managed to do it without a hiccup.

Passed the Salt pans on the way back which they are just getting ready again

Preparing Salt Pans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chain still seems to be slipping a bit so will need looking at again.

90 Day report

BANDUNGLIFE Posted on by

Went to Udon Today for my 90 day report. Also called in Macro & bought some new wall fans.

Bike Ride to Sang Khom

BANDUNGLIFE Posted on by

Went up to Sang Khom today via the short cut at Thon Na Lab. The road from Ban Nong Hoi to the 3027 has now been tarmaced all the way. A far cry from the red din road it used to be.

 

From Sank Kom I detoured past Eddies house and onto Plantation number one. The tagu has now been felled and replaced with palm Oil.

 

The Grass between the trees has also been mowed so it is looking very tidy at the moment.

Ghost feeding Time

BANDUNGLIFE Posted on by

Today is when everybody goes to the temple and leaves snacks and drinks in the trees and all around for the ghosts to eat. I don’t know where the food goes but it tends to disappear !!

Frog Season

BANDUNGLIFE Posted on by

It appears to be frog eating season again as I found out when I came home to sink of gutted frogs prior to them going into the pot. Tim also dried the frog skin for some reason – I don’t think I will  bother asking why.

Bao Dies

BANDUNGLIFE Posted on by

Bao died today ( The guy who worked for us for many years – age 37 ) of Liver flukes – The same thing  that killed one of our other workers a couple of months back.  From what I understand you get it/them from eating raw fish.  I know you can get medicine to kill them – Not generally available in the UK but it can be prescribed under medical supervision because it is so strong. Why they didn’t administer it here I don’t know.