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I know I shouldn’t dwell on the past but it’s been a hard journey for me over the last year seeing one of my best friends leave this world. I posted previously how difficult I would find it not meeting in town for those tequila shots we loved slamming and visiting Windmill each time. It still feels like the future has been stolen. I wanted to post some photos of Baz where I actually captured him in the moment taking those great photos off his Olympus camera which we all loved so much. These are from December 2015 with the lovely Dao making an appearance, he is gone but never forgotten.

Aberdeen Angus rib Eye, with pepper sauce, onion rings, peas and tomato with skinny chips. All homemade.

Gained 12 pounds, drink every day, and still a sexy motherfucker.

63 now, but admit I feel pretty good over all. Been really lucky, never been hospitalized, never had any surgery, never had a broken bone, never taken any medication for any problems, get a yearly physical and things look well. One thing that I have noticed is being in Thailand, I would get tired alot easier cause of the heat and humidity, but not here as much. I look at my current situation like this, 3/4 of my life is over, have to face the facts right? If there is something I want to do, I do it, no hesitation these days. Have your fun now while you can.

Losing weight like crazy, down 12 kilos in 3 months and I'm not on a diet. Though still been working but spend at least half a day sitting on a forklift. Alcohol no issue. Fitness is not great as I am only active a few hours a day at work. Never been the full ticket mentally so no change there.

Can't get enough of this, chicken Szechuan, cooked by my Mrs of course. Spicy and sweet the way I love it. Onion and green peppers, Chinese mushroom, velveted chicken, cooked in her Szechuan sauce on the wok burner.

I thought I would try a fillet steak for a change. I managed to cook it perfect for me, but it takes more effort.

Phew! eyes bigger than my belly this morning, struggled to finish this. * * * * * *

Hear Barnard Castle and Durham are must see places ✅

Hi Aqualung, As you're aware, I'm in exactly the same position as yourself, losing my mum a few weeks ago. It's tough being stuck at home - I'm currently living in my mum's house, getting everything sorted. I've only had 1 visitor too, my brother, who is helping getting this sorted. Technically that's been against the "rules" too I guess, as he's from a different household. I've hardly been out, walking to the shops once a week. Everything else has been delivered and I've spent more on Amazon in the last 8 weeks than I have over the last 8 years. We had mum cremated, we'll have a memorial and scattering of ashes when lockdown is eased more. I have her ashes at the house, along with my dad's, who died 25 years ago but my mum kept them here. So I have mum and dad side by side in a cubby hole that's above the hallway. So I'm with you mate and fully understand how you're feeling. I keep myself busy during these lockdown times by planning what I'm going to do next, knocking up business plans/spreadsheets and to wile away a few hours I'm doing some jigsaw puzzles. My mum had a bunch of them stashed away and I've enjoyed doing them. I've even ordered a couple more from Amazon that will arrive this week. Hang in there bud, things will ease and improve.

I’ll be 67 in two weeks. Mind still young and open (having young kids helps..). Still a touch of rebel and revolutionary. Health ok, no underlaying problems, never been taking any medication till now except for flu or minor stuff like that. Never done any sport, gym or exercising. Working on construction sites in the open air, usually 12h shifts you don’t need the gym. But have started swimming 300m every morning since I am retired, 3 y ago. No food regime, except that I don’t eat fast food stuff and avoid anything deep fried in 10 cm of oil. I have also stopped all excessive partying and drinking since living here. (Aperitif, and wine at the restaurant is not drinking, it’s gastronomy !) On the minus side : - I look less handsome than 30 y ago, but that’s normal. - I wake up 2 or 3 times a night for a pee - The libido has been switched off at the same time as the party / drinking live, but I don’t care. I appreciate way more a good meal. - I don’t run up/down stairs anymore (sight and balance could be tricky..) - When waking up I have backpain for about 20 / 30 min. Gone after shower. But the back is sensitive to long sitting or wrong sitting positions. - Skin has become sensitive to impacts. Hurting a table corner immediately marks or cuts the skin. - And probably a few more very minor things. I don’t feel old, but the numbers are there, and you can’t cheat the math. So, yes I am closer to the exit than to the entrance.

Mostly very good. Lost 13.5kgs in 9 weeks, exercise daily. 30 min walk first thing plus sit ups , press ups and weights. Afternoon do a 40/45 min cycle. plus a whole lot more active in general. no booze for 9 weeks as only drink when out eating healthily j just need to keep this going edit : mental health is ok but at times a struggle being at home full time - been working more recently so that helps

Get those Viet coffee shops open, I miss your pics of those babes. 😀

Lovely man Baz a real gentleman in every sense. Sad but melancholy seeing those pics ....... cheers.

I never go on overseas holidays in the summer now anyway, there are some fantastic places to go in the Uk and I’d encourage everyone who lives here to explore a little bit more......

I count myself very lucky. At 74 I have no real health issues, Glaucoma in one eye, skin cancers from sun at a young age is about it. Never smoked and drink very little but slightly overweight. Didn't play much sport so the body parts havn't worn out... YET. I noticed myself slowing down a bit after 70 but having a lovely, much younger partner does me a lot of good. We still travel a lot and I do notice that it tires me more now but the experience is worth it. Oh, to get back to it!!

Install self closing gates?

You would be the very last person I could think of to give me advice. By western standards I am not the best husband in the world but Sai and I have been married for 12 years and the easy choice now would be to be just like you. Except I do not want an ex-wife as I love and respect my wife and our relationship is worth working at as all successful relationships encounter problems from time to time. The answer will almost certainly come from my personal use of our house in Bangsaray. Regular trips back down south will give us both room to breath. I know it will be very hard for you but PLEASE do not post on any topic of mine and particularly, this one.

This seems to be a typical "rural" Thai thing. Read it 1000 times. Never had the problem with the ex (parents are city dwellers, both middle class). A mate of mine married to and BKK exec has zero problem as well. As for my kids vs their mom ...... Honestly I think it is something you have to put strict limitations from the beginning, otherwhile it ends up a nightmare I guess. Miss Indo both parents have passed many years ago, and the rest of the family is very OK, and not invasive. But things were made clear with everybody from day 1. And she also knows that between her and my freedom and livestyle MY choice will be easy. I can't understand guys systematically caving in to everything in the name of "it's their tradition". Feck, what about OUR traditions ? Hell, you give her and the family a better live, so THEY should be gratefull and adapt. Now, go on with the rose tinted glasses and Thailand hater attacks.....

I was enjoying a drink (Coke) last night at Prom Guest House across from Tree Town. Around 6:30 pm there was a flurry of activity and the food carts parked up along Buakhao made a hasty exit. A few minutes later a couple of BIB walked through the area making a show of checking the place out and then left. About 20 minutes later the food carts returned and it was business as usual. The reality is, at least in the early evening hours, there are no large groups of people hanging around. What I've seen is at most a couple of friends standing around having a chat, and guys negotiating a price with the FL's wandering around the area. Hardly worth a complaint to city hall. Pic of the area that was filled with food carts just after they left. Didn't take a pic of when they returned as I'd hate for that pic to end up being used against them.

shit!shit! iam 76 in a few mths,have some days especially now winter is nearly here. still have a few problems from getting smashed on my last job,back in 1984,3 vertabrea? fractured,some damage to left hip,knee and ankle that still causes a few problems, a major stroke in 2013 and a heavy fall in Pattaya 2014 which has bit of brain damage. I need to get more exercise for sure,i will start to-morrow.and as we all know "to-morrow never comes". should have taken my chance back in 2016 to move to Pattaya permanent when the test showed how much damage there was to me old noggin,shit it[noggin] has headbutted a few fists,knees and boots over 50+ years, next year Palistine, regards grayray

So he does know who his father is then...

I am weighing in at 113 kg which is about my regular weight over the last 10 years.It is my diet that is responsible for my weight as I drink alcohol infrequently, for my height I should be about 85kg but unfortunetly I have a sweet tooth and eat a lot of fatty foods. I have been working right through the lockdown which has kept me active, I am on my feet for the whole of my working day, which is the only real excercise I take except for a nature ramble with the missus now and again Although I work in a hospice that has had covid patients the catering dept has not been going into the units so I consider myself to have been low risk. My wife however is a carer and has been in the thick of it with multiple deaths in her care home, I dont mind admitting I have found the last couple of months very stressful as we have not been keeping apart, as of today though there are only 2 cases in her home and they are not in her unit, so that is a big relief.Here in Wales we can still only make essential journeys by car so hopefully next month sometime we will be able to go further afield in the car to stretch our legs.

Pretty much my story...

What’s surprise’s me in all this is that people are shocked a bunch of incompetent self serving arseholes, when elected to power would continue to be incompetent and self serving

A very Happy Memorial Day today to our Veterans....thanks for your service.

Meanwhile...back in reality... ..."The reality is that there are too many people who are coming together," Mayor Sylvester Turner said. "No social distancing, no mask. And then after this Memorial Day weekend is over they're going to be on somebody's job or in close proximity to somebody else." So far, infections in the country top 1,643,000 and deaths inch closer to top 100,000... _ _ _ Some Americans take a holiday from social distancing and officials fear future spikes in coronavirus cases https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/25/health/us-coronavirus-memorial-day/index.html

Actually for me, I have lost 5 pounds, due to no gym open at the moment. How is that? Running at the High School more, 4 days per week now. Do the free weights at home, not even remotely close to the equipment at the gym so......no alcohol during the day at all. Sadly though, been buying a few new things on the Internet. Justifying that the Trump Stimulus money has arrived and no dinners out, Viet Coffee Shops, concerts or other activities, so have some extra "fun money" to spend. This has been a real eye opener for alot of us....did not really realize how much has been taken away from us, until it is not there anymore. Have lived in this city for 51 years, good lord, have never seen it so quiet. Amazing..

Just been over the park by me for a Lucozade and a sit in the sun. Couple of little sorts sunbathing in bikinis, looked legal.............. ish. 🤪

I quite fancy this 646 piece Lego Ducati Panigale V4. Not been in lockdown, been working all through, just my inner child wants one. 😀 https://www.lego.com/en-gb/product/ducati-panigale-v4-r-42107

Where did I give YOU any advice ? Your (over) reaction is a give away mate ...... And you last phrase is simply STUPID. OK, I'll make a revised "rosy" version ...... Seriously man, you reacted exactly the same way on the Secrets or new Secrets thread, defending them to the last second, even after been taken for a ride by them ! Wake up.

> 7.5 million people are furloughed so money rolling in and nothing to spend it on. Then there are those still working or working from home which must be substantial. Poor show for each one of those that have lost their jobs, but what sort of proportion of the workforce is it?

It has driven me round the bend fella as well.. The mosquitoes love me, and I'm hyper sensitive to their 'kisses', and my stepsons are prone to leaving doors open constantly,so I have to remind them .. As for her choosing between family and her husband, we all know, there is always will be ..a no contest I feel for you mate...

Makes your situation untenable mate, the only way to manage this is to be far away from the MIL imo.

My wife has constantly asked or reminded her Mother to do various things of which closing the gate is just one of them. It is as frustrating for Sai as it is to me but as Sai explains it to me in Thai culture the "Mother" is the matriarch figure to whom the daughters ( four in this case) are expected/required to not only respect but be almost subservient. That does not stop Sai arguing with her Mother but Sai knows deep down that her Mother is never going to change. Very frustrating for both Sai and I particularly as I know I must never place Sai in a position where she has to chose between her Mother and I.

I know exactly where you're coming from @Jambo The closeness of your wife's immediate family, is somewhat alien to us in the West, I am similar to @Pumpuynarak, in that my wife and I agreed , that we would live at least an hour from her immediate family.. I have a dog as well, and.. Initially I was continually instructing my stepson's to close the gate, as if it's left open, the dog could escape, if there was a motorcycle or truck passing by at high speed, then there could be a terrible accident or..soi dogs could walk in.. now.. they do close it, but i still make sure they do.. Maybe.... you or your wife could ask her mother to close the gate, it might work.. after a couple of time, she 'might' start closing it automatically.. Good luck...

I wish I was coming for a long time as I would grab that corner unit. Nice unit in that price range. Good luck! Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Which MSM outlet did that come from ? 😄 Don't believe everything you read, especially the hysterical tabloids 😄

Back home from my 3 mile walk, just showered and sitting down for a night of You tube, oh and a nice bottle of Malbec.

When I came to Pattaya it was to retire but after about 1 year was offered a job and could not refuse. I came with what I thought would be enough funds to get me to 62 and i would be getting my SS so figured all good. That really did not work out friends tried to convince me that I could live so much cheaper up country somewhere and am sure they were right. I told them Pattaya is where I want to be around the action and partake if i choose to do so. Got lucky with work and never had to think about leaving.

I know exactly where you're coming from Jambo, when i first arrived here 13 years ago the plan was to buy land and build a nice gaff in wifey's village. Well after spending some time at wifey's Moma's it very quickly became obvious that i would'nt be happy living in the boondocks (no farang presence) which is over 1 hours drive from civilised Korat. So a compromise was agreed and we ended up in a Korat suburb, thank god. I feel for ya mate and no doubt a solution will be near impossible to find.

I live in a Village community but less than 5 minutes from a very large provincial town center with lots of (Thai) bars, restaurants and shopping centers. It has its own Airport but Nok Air flights are to Don Mueang. I used to see quite a few non-Thai's but they have all disppeared since Covid19 so I stick out as the token farlang and all the bars are closed anyway. The countryside is excellent with quite a few National Parks but there is a limit to how often one wishes to visit the waterfalls or hot springs which, incidently, are all still closed to visitors currently. For the previous two years Sai had been based in Mae Sot then would commute to Bangsaray each month overnight, stay for 5 days then I would drive us both back to Mae Sot where I would stay for a long weekend then drive back to Bangsaray. Sounds complicated but that worked ( for us) okay but was a bit unfair on Sai and I found myself increasingly missing her in between. So I moved me and the dogs to Mae Sot and then the plan was for Sai and I go back for 5 days each month to our house in Bangsaray. Well, Covid19 scuppered that plan and we did not get back for over two months. Apart from my list of items I am missing ( and I AM) the continuous proximity to Sai's family is a major problem. We all know how Thai culture makes family so important. Twice yesterday her Mother left the driveway gate open and let the dogs out because basically the Mother expects others (and Sai in particxular) to do everything for her. Sai recognises the problem but........it is her Mother............and her Mother is not going to change now and I cannot place Sai in a position where she has to chose between her Mother or I as there is only going to be one result! I cannot see any solution other than to revert to our previous arrangement but I will wait until things get more back to some kind of normality back in Pattaya/Bangsaray. Basically, I am (still) a City guy who always enjoyed visiting the countryside but happy to get back to the smoke. Definitely, not the other way round.