Smiler

And I didn’t have to wait very long. Got the leccy bill today and it was around 3 times as much as last month. 3k baht. Not so bad considering young smiler is home from school, my girl was back from uni for 2 weeks, I’ve been here for 3 weeks, guests at Songkran and of course as has been mentioned, it’s fucking hot 🫠

Yeah we keep the air on 26 all year round apart from when it’s not needed in December/January. We have 4 units in total (2 in the cabin and 2 in the main house) are all less than a couple of years old. It’s rare they are all on at the same time but over Songkran when we had guests they certainly were. I’ve been quite pleasantly surprised how economical the new(ish) units are to run but I guess the real test will be this month’s bill which will be around the 25th. Can’t wait….

And it’s been up around 40 almost every day for the last 15/16 days. Even nudged 42 once or twice.😅🫠 Certainly the hottest weather I have experienced up here. Some say the best way to cope is to stay out of the A/C during the day and just sit under a fan, which is exactly what I am doing right now. There comes a tipping or should it be melting point though and it’s not too far away for me….. Off to Udon later for a bit of shopping and it’s after 30 mins in the car a/c when you get out, it really is like opening the door of an oven. Given the choice between how the weather here feels now and the bone aching cold, grey wet days I suffered in UK earlier this year - I’ll settle for t-shirt, shorts and ice in my Chang 😎😎

Today I learned that the jack I thought was in the car is missing. Yes I am angry but at least the discovery was made at home and not at the side of the road.

Simmering gently on the porch under a fan. Thermomothingy is reading 40.5 Phew what a scorcher🥵

Just arrived from LHR on EVA. Almost full in cattle class and not too painful but glad it’s over. A mouthful of red wine is what apparently passes as a glass and 1 out of the 2 meals was ok, the other shite. Landed at 3:30 and was outside smoking at 4:05. I didn’t check any bags so can’t comment on check-in or baggage claim at swampy. Immigration was a 2 min wait. Sat on Thaismile plane waiting to take off for Udon and it looks like it will be almost exactly 24 hours door to door travel time. Let the good times roll😃

Thats useful - thank you very much!

I am on the same time Eva flight from LHR next week and for the first time in years instead of staying a night in Bangkok before flying to Udon, I have booked the 18:00 flight up country on the same day. Might just change the domestic flight to the following day. So what time did you actually land at Swampy D? How long did it take to get through Immigration?

Mrs smiler has been saying it’s hit 40 for the last 5 days in the village. I am back next week…..

Yep I am the same in Thailand - really miss the real ale. Ironically I’ve been back in UK for 8 days and haven’t had a pint yet. Couple of bottles of red and that’s all however I’ve got some downtime this week and a evening in my local planned….

How long ago did you book if you don't mind me asking? My nephew has a similar price and departure date but they booked back in August.

I was due to come back from UK 15th of November but changed to the 29th, flying Thai. This was the return leg of the ticket I bought in July. Closer it gets to Christmas the more expensive flights are to Thailand so I had to pay an extra £100 (ish). Another expensive time of year is of course the 2-3 weeks before Songkran. I am looking at around 20k baht to fly over to the UK end of January, then 35k return end of March, again with Thai. The prices in 2nd week of April LHR - BKK are just stupid.

Sat in the bus station at Vientiane waiting for the bus to Friendship Bridge on the way back to Thailand.

Just got in after watching young Smiler play footy in a inter school tournament. They won but only after a tense penalty shoot out. FAF watching the 2 nuns who work at his dual faith school leaping about and screaming in celebration 🤣😇🙏😂

Buy in bulk at the weekly market in Ban Dung near Udon.

And it's over - just received a full refund 😎. Guess my experience with agoda goes something like its all good until its not good. Really haven't been happy with the way they treated me which is such a shame after the years I have used them. Every day is a school day 👀😬

So, 8 days later..... I have sent the booking information that agoda requested 3 times. I called them twice. They finally admit liability 😎. I was offered 2 options - a credit for the full amount to be used within 6 months when next booking through agoda🤔 😂🤣🤣🤣 Or a full refund to my Thai bank account which may take up to 10 working days. I've taken this option so let's see how many days before I do actually get my money back.

I have used Agoda countless times to book hotels in Thailand over the years, never had an issue but.... Decided to stay at the Miami in Bangkok 30th November. This was the very first place I stayed back in the early 90s, it changed hands recently and has been done up so I thought why not. Used Agoda to book by scanning the booking screen QR code with my Thai Bank App. Did exactly the same in July last time with Agoda. Well the money left my account instantly BUT a booking cancelled message came up on the screen. I have been trying to get my money back for the last 2 days. Sent 3 documents including screenshot of the QR code booking screen, copy of bank app notification confirming payment and bank statement. Kin nightmare, I am on the way to Heathrow and its still not resolved. I won't be using Agoda again, judging by the comments on their Facebook page, I won't be on my own.

Ah my go to place to eat in Udon and my favourite beer. I'll be there in 3 weeks😃. The owner is a scandimaniac called Max - nice guy. Just opposite the Brickie next to the Iti place is a small bar called Fun Bar. Had a good line up a couple of months ago.... The owner there however can be a right miserable bar steward, especially if his Mrs gets a bit pissed and flirty😬

My friends father was a founding member and is portrayed in the series. She knew it was in production but was still surprised to get a call from the actor playing her dad a year or so ago. He very politely asked a few questions about her dad's personality etc. Haven't seen the program yet myself as I am going to binge watch when I have the time. Incidentally my friend and her family are pleased with the show although a few facts have been apparently "toned down" for TV. Sorry - no spoilers 😬

RIP Ma'am ❤️

Used to play rugby against a side called the 3 9s who were made up of Ambulance, Fire and Police personnel. I remember a couple of traffic coppers saying they used to play speeding snooker with car colours......

Yep almost the same. 27 or 28 for me in the daytime, I find its the humidity rather than the temperature which makes me uncomfortable. Nighttime 25. We don't get leccie bills till later in the month up here in the jungle. Last one was around 1800 baht. 3 a/c units, f**k knows how many fans and me turning into my father by going around muttering and switching off lights. 9 of them the other evening..... My girl has gone back to Uni now so I am hoping June's bill will be peak consumption and maybe we can save a bit in the next few months Who am I trying to kid? 🤔🙄💩💩

I have never had any issues before Dave and yeah I agree they are a good source of protein. Indeed some say certain types are akin to nature's viagra. Remember eating some black ones once and I was hanging wet bath towels off my knob for hours later...... Anyway the silkworm and some types of grasshopper larvae can be rich in histemeen (7-12%) and this is what messed me up.