Tim Has decided that she wants a bridge across part of the lake with a Chalet ( hut) Half way across. This is now in the early stages of construction.
Not much to look at at the moment – but when completed will make getting around easier and provide somewhere comfortable to sit.
With the onset of the rains the lake is almost full again and the water plants have started to grow – This is Pak Bung ( Water spinach) which is growing in abundance
When cooked it looks just like spinach but doesn’t taste as strong. It is used mainly in Thai curries.
More Rain again in the night. Has been raining every day for the past couple of weeks. Good for the Garden and the Trees but the weeds are growing fast as well.
Went to Nong Khai to get my 12 month Visa Renewal. Things required are:
Proof of income letter from the embassy showing an income of at least 65,000 bahts a month ( or 800,000 in a Thai bank account which must have come from outside Thailand – Therfore you will need a letter from your Bank to testify to this )
Form TM7 filled in ( These are available at the immigration office – they don’ t like downloaded forms
passport sized photograph
photo copies of passport showing visa stamps
passport
proof of where you are living ( i.e partners house papers and ID card)
(Sometimes proof of a thai bank account )
1,900 baht fee
And of course you must be over 50 years old.
With the above documentation obtaining the visa is straight forward . Its surprising how many arrive without all the necessary paperwork or understand the requirements and get turned away.
I also inquired about a Thai driving license. They gave me a form which I now have to take to the driving license centre in Nong mek ( 30 k away) . You need this letter from immigration to start the ball rolling – you cant go direct to the driving licenses center – if you do you will be turned away.
Went for a Thai massage today with Tim down at the local community centre . Price 200 bahts for 2 hours.
Spent another 4-5 hours cutting down the weeds/shrubs that keep sprouting up on our largest plantation. The weather is now extremley hot ( 40 Degrees plus) so 4-5 hrs is the longest I can manage in that heat. Went on my Bike again and took a couple of Photos to upload to my web site on the way . Hopefully in another week all the weeds will be under control again and I can spend some time out on my bike or maybe go for a swin at Chang noy.
Found a new track from Bandung to Sandy’s village avoiding the main road. Also found a new Track from Old Peters Village . Called in at gardens number one and two. Number two is in need of weeding again. Will start sometime next week
Went to the large plantation today with Tim and Bao ( our labourer) . We cleared the weeds from around the tagu trees ( cadamba) and then fertilised and watered them. Also pruned the eucalyptus trees. We started early and finished by 12 to avoid the main heat of the day.
The lake now has a population of water birds ( approx 100). In thai they are called Nok bpet ( Duck Bird) – I don’t know excacly what species they are as we approached they took off en-mass.