here comes the rain again

looks like it will not be too heavy judging by the sky.  But I could be wrong.  Another power outage last night.

Got the air con in the units serviced today so they should be back at full blast.

Stormy Weather

It seems that whilst we were in Udon today the storm struck Nong Han.

The trees have been removed and we are waiting for the rain to stop to check the outside electricals!!

Udon Municipality Elections

The ruling Pheu Thai Party suffered another election defeat when its candidates in the Udon Thani Municipality race lost to their rivals yesterday.


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Rain Again

Yesterday we got caught in a downpour in Udon.  We popped into a bar for a late lunch/early dinner and it started to rain.

Nit got soaked crossing the road to get the car.  Even though he brought the car round to me, I still had to step through six inch deep water as he did not care get any closer for fear of what lurked beneath... At least that was his excuse.

The rains skirted the resort, but as expected we had a power outage about 6pm due to the rain.  It lasted a couple of hours.  Luckily we have a supply of candles.  However after 20 minutes of Atchi singing happy birthday and trying to blow them out the 'game' got a bit boring.

It's now raining here, but from the look of the sky I don't think it will be more than a few showers.

North Kessock - I remember the wait for the ferry - Now there is a bridge

Trip - Heading South From The Pink Panther Station

Durham..... Durham......... Durham, Durham. Durham

No Fog On The Tyne

But it is Lindisfarne in the distance

Weather

And it's raining.

Hopefully the heavy downpours will clear the air and the humidity will be less oppresive.  it will save Tak from watering the plants, maybe we should reduce his wages on rain days.

Finally Got To Hawthorn 'Beach'

New Lao Airline

Lao Central Airlines, the first Lao private airline, owned by bankers,  Phongsavanh Group, took off 3 May starting with a flight to Bangkok.
Lao Central aims to operate a mix of regional and domestic services from its base in Vientiane. After the Bangkok inaugural flight it said it was starting domestic services to Luang Prabang, 7 May and to Pakse next month.

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It's May and there was fresh snow - Trip Photos 2

Trip Photos 1

'Highland Chieftain' at Inverness ready for our 7.55am departure

Sites In danger

The Global Heritage Fund, which promotes the preservation of historic architectural sites around the world, issued a finalised list earlier this week of the top 10 most endangered sites in Asia, some of them listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The sites include Ayutthaya

Read More At TTR

Rock Climbing In Laos

A rock climbing facility has opened in Thakhek, Laos, with easy access from Nakhon Phnom via the 3rd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.
Green Climbers Home is located near the Xiengliab Cave, 12 km, outside of Thakhek town. Together with Laos’ ecotourism tour operator, Green Discovery, rock climbing enthusiasts, Uli and Tanja Weidner, developed the camp site and routes specifically suited for rock climbers.

Read More At TTR

Football

Udon could only draw with Yasothon yesterday.  They are still top of the division, but will be overtaken by Loei City if Loei beats Nong Khai today.  Roi Et are two points behind Udon with a game in hand.

Journey Home

After an uneventful trip by rail and tube from Chelmsford to Heathrow T4, checked in with ease, and got an exit row seat.  Something I would have no need of!  Check in was quiet, I assumed because I was early.

T4 has few options for a drink or a bite to eat so ended up in one of the bar/restaurants.  It seemed to be that, garfunkels of Costa Coffee.  Once I got on board the flight the reason for the quiet check in was obvious.  The plane was about 10% full.  As soon as teh doors were closed the stewardess told everyone to take any row of three they wanted and lie down after take off.

Dinner was the choice of 'Veg or Non Veg.'  I managed to ascertain that teh nin veg was chicken so went for it.  Bar service was generous as usual, at least up to meal time.

Dehli was an easier, quicker transfer than Mumbai.  But for some reason all transfer passengers had to wait at the gate to be shown the way to the transfer counter.  It wasn't like it was hard to find.

On time departure to Bangkok, this time the plane was about 60% full.

Once at Bangkok quickly through immigration and the bag arrived fairly soon afterwards.  Both I think were quicker than Heathrow.  A night in the Queen's Garden Resort and then the shuttle up to Udon this morning.

Back Home

And it's hottish.  I should be grateful it's only 36C

Heading South

On time arrival in Edinurgh from Inverness.  Wel not quite, three minutes early.  Surprised to see so much snow on the Cairngorms as we passed... it is May.

Now heading from Edinburgh down to Inverness.  Had my 'british rail' breakfast, not it's time for sandwiches., with complimentary wine of course.

I reckon the majority of people in First Class are on cheap tickets.  Very few businessmen.  I remember doing the Newcastle-Kings Cross run on business when First was the reserve of the Executive.  But now, with free food and drink, and First Advance tickets not being much more than standard it is not surprising it's full.

I remember getting the 'Newcastle Executive', getting to the London Office for Meetings about 11.30, and heading home on the 5pm with Dinner.  Of course it cost more then, I think it was about 100 quid return, this time my train trips are free, but my Brother had loads of expiring free tickets.  I remember it was slightly more than the flight, but you did not have to get in from Heathrow.

I was tempted by the Craster Kippers this morning, but decided on the full English.  Kippers tomorrow if they are on offer.

New Passport And Pub Food

Arrived at 9.00 for my 9.30 appointment, they had obviously cleared the 9.00 appointments early as I was called at 9.25, and had been processed and paid by 9.28, with instructions that my passport would be ready at 13.28.

Quick and painless process.

Fell absolutely bloated after a pub lunch.  Just not used to all this heavy British food.  Was tempted by the Thai curry on offer, but knew I wouldn't enjoy it as it would not compare to the home made version in Udon

Picked up new passport at 2, so all set for my new Visa next week.

Only nine more days before I get back to the warmth and normality.