Horizondave

The wife is too dumb to think I could be suspecting anything; after all she believes shouting out the bedroom window about the badly parked van belonging to an unknown plumber, while her husband is away, couldn't possibly make me suspicious.lol

I visited Monte Cassino in 1969 with my father who told me all about the horrific loss of life fighting for that monastery. We were on a family trip from London heading to Sorrento using our own car and stopping off at various sites and cities on the 2 and half day journey. Ironically, earlier this week there was a very interesting documentary about the battle on 'That TV'. The documentary was from 1969 and I realised it was probably made because it was 25 years since the battle. Really interesting as there was much footage of the battle and also interviews with many of those who were there (from both sides). That TV has some excellent documentaries, today's was about the attack on Pearl Harbor on 07 Dec 1941.

If I had seen the owner (Sean) last week I might have said something but seems pretty obvious to me the wife is up to her tricks again. The police have been around previously and I don't really want to pass on info that might be of interest (and upset) to Sean, but damaging and embarrassing for his wife, as I am pretty sure some negative anger might come my way. The guy won't be parking his car outside my house again, I am pretty sure about that.. Something I learnt very early on when in Thailand was, never to dirty on one's own doorstep', that saying applies in deepest Neath as well.

Just had to ask a van driver to move his motor from blocking my off road parking space. A week ago the same van was out there for about an hour blocking my space but as I wasn't going anywhere I let it go, the guy left before I needed to use my car. The van was a plumbers business van, I did think last week that it was odd that a plumber would be in the house as the owner has his own plumbing contract business, just so happens also that his sexy wife was in the house. The owner was not in the house as he leaves to work 7.30 am everyday. Today, I had to go across to the house to ask for the van to move; just before I got there the wife opens an upstairs window and shouts out that it is her plumber parked there (I knew that). I just asked her to get the guy to move his van further down the road. Anyhow, funnily, it took the guy about a minute to come out of the house and move the van, wonder why. Owner has been having problems with his wife who obviously puts it about, he had left the home for a few months due to previous problems, seems she is still up to her tricks again. Really don't care what she does but get your bit on the side to park elsewhere.

She would have taken the glasses off with me, would have made it a better experience for her not being able to see me lol.

I did use a recipe I found on the net, the video is below: It can be a little salty so best to lessen the amount of Soy sauce or just use more light soy sauce than dark, better still, use a reduced salt variety. I did add a little bit more Hoisin sauce than quoted and a little less soy sauce. I used chicken thigh but you can use breast, I also cut my thigh a little smaller than in the video. I did use cornflower and good quality hoisin sauce. Maybe play around a bit to find your perfect combination as my first one was quite salty from the video but still delicious. I used to have this often at a Thai kitchen in front of the Terminal Condo on Soi 88 in Hua Hin; sadly the kitchen closed down and I have never been able to find out where they relocated to or if they stayed in business.

Been white garlic plant picking with Porn, needed a drink after that experience. Old Hooky, lovely. Wife has also ordered a meal and given me her free drink. Same again.

Can't remember that one but back in 87/88 I did visit an upstairs bar in Patpong, actually didn't have an under the table experience, it was more sat between your knees munching in the open but the lights were low. Made for interesting conversations with your mate while sitting in comfortable armchairs. Did use an upstairs bar in Subic town back in the early 90s when the American base was open in Olongapo. It was a blue curtain experience, brilliant times. Thought it was Blue Note bar but that might have been downstairs. Great times

Always liked flying to Philippines on PAL, I always ordered their Asahi when the drinks cart came around.

A lovely day in Wales until we had a real downpour about 6 pm. Nice double rainbow.

A nice pint of Felin Foel Dragon Heart in the Angel at Pontneddfechan in the county of Powys.

So, looks like Liverpool and Arsenal want Man City to win the Premier League. Also looks like Rangers want Celtic to win the Scottish League. Even looks like a change of the guard in Germany, interesting times.

The Championship is pretty close, seems like no one really is serious about winning. Haven't all the top teams dropped a few points lately. Was really happy to see a Welsh team being promoted to League 1, well done Wrexham.

There probably are water free bars that adhere to the sunset rules but you have to walk past all the other crazy 'let's carry on the mayhem' bars to get there. It only takes one idiot in a bar to ruin it for many of those who just want to have a quiet night in a restaurant or stroll about town, probably why many of us left town at Songkran. Unless you are willing to get involved or run the chance of getting wet, best to stay in your residence or leave town. Many may say you are grumpy, and I would agree if it was really only for a day or two, but it's not in the Pattaya Central area, it goes on for about 10 days before ending on the 19th, that is just too much for the patience of many unless you are a tourist and come particularly because of the festival. My reason for leaving is that, out of 3 Songkran festivals, I only enjoyed one, that was when I was staying at the Whitehouse and just placed myself in the corner bar on 2nd road by the hotel for the whole day. Get a soaking and then just sit, watch and drink, till it's over. The other 2 occasions I was in my house but decided to venture out, the amount of talc and water pasted and sprayed over my face made me violently sick, I vowed not to do it again. When I lived in Hua Hin, it really only got crazy for a day, same in Khon Kaen, it was a first day of gentle sprinkling with all the villagers, the second day was just the youth getting pissed and fighting. Pattaya, you can have it.

Don't know why he is grumpy, I would be well happy with a view like that but with a window between us to stop me getting drenched. .

Can't disagree with what you say. Had a mate who was earning peanuts as a back doorman at a casino, was on small money but he would nearly always beat me to the bar when we walked in a pub. The guy with the most money would be waiting for us outside the pub (rather than go in and get seats and beers ahead of us) and then would hold the door for all three of us to enter. The guy holding the door never bought the first or second round so if we had a few, sometimes it never got to him other than maybe a first round. If it did get to his second round he would question what drinks we wanted. Of course I would want a beer but he would suggest a soft drink. Both my wives (separate occasions) were asked if they really wanted drinks and, if so, would they not rather have soft drinks. One had been drinking Southern Comfort and the other wine.

You just failed the 'welcome to Islam' test lol

Just heard a Eurofighter Typhoon go over the house at 9000'. Unfortunately, due the appalling weather I couldn't see it, but I knew from the noise, it was a fighter jet. It has come from RAF Coningsby and no doubt will head back there. Up at 19000' now.

Was laughing yesterday at the quiz program, Tipping Point. Ben asks the question 'which country is the sacred site of Mecca located'. The two girls competing for the final both answered incorrectly. One said Pakistan and the other said, Israel, wow. Ben looked a bit embarrassed. I just thought to myself, now there will be a fatwa sent out on the contestant. Of all the countries to offer up as an answer, I think Israel may not be a good one. Reminds me of working in Brunei (a strict Islamic nation) and my boss (in Singapore) says this month the airline (BA), will be concentrating on pushing Israel as a destination. Of course I let him know that this is impossible to market, advertise in Brunei and told him to offer up another country to market. I was knocked back and told to do my best and the bunting, advertising boards etc., will be arriving. I again told him this is crazy, do not allow head office to send anything to me. He told me I had to abide by what I was tasked with. A few days later I am hauled in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and threatened with arrest and expulsion from the country. BA had sent the advertising etc., via Singapore and was immediately held by customs and subsequently destroyed. It was very embarrassing for me as BA Manager and I had my house raided by the ministry on 2 occasions shortly after that. Luckily it was only a few months before my posting finished, the representation of BA in Brunei ended less than a year later. Common sense left British Airways marketing many years ago and it hasn't got any better.

When I lived there I remember the last day (19th), there was a procession with the monks along the second road, that was in the afternoon. I was in the Waterfall Bar (I think) and once the procession had passed, the whole place quietened down, in fact it felt a bit like everybody had just gone home. Most were drunk, wet and seemed ready for bed, the streets were really empty. If you are arriving in the afternoon, it is possible that Pattaya may have stopped the madness. Of course, this was when I was living there and the idiots that now come into town may be keeping all the small side streets and beach road as wet as a river and therefore continue the traffic chaos. . I would probably just stay the night in Bangkok and come down on the 20th at earliest. Just noticed the procession starts at 1200 from Wat Chai Mong Khon and returns to the temple at 1600.

If I was living in Pattaya I would be flying to the Philippines around now and not coming back till the 20th at the earliest.

Knocked up a sticky chicken and cashew nuts. Was lovely, but it is pretty heavy on the salt, so suggest using reduced salt soy sauce if needed. I love the taste of Hoisin sauce. Topped with spring onions, sesame seeds and chilli flakes.

I feel for the guy; I am just recovering from Shingles and it was bloody unpleasant. Have not been to the gym for almost 4 weeks, although have done quite a few walks into town etc. Will hopefully go to the gym on Tuesday but Shingles can last 4-6 weeks although the pain will reduce. It's a virus, so he will have to deal with the pain by taking pain killers, if needed. Hopefully the hospital will have given him Zovirax ointment to put on. As a virus I hope they haven't given him anti biotics to make money, they can not treat a virus. As much as Shingles is not contagious, if someone comes into contact with the sores then they can get the herpes virus which can later give chicken pox or Shingles, best to sleep separately and use personal towels etc. Sweating through exercise, or just the heat, can make the condition worse, should not exert himself.

My brother sent me a couple of photos from Mammoth, California, whilst on his skiing trip. The other day saw a pretty bad day, but today, as he was leaving to drive to Los Angeles, the weather is beautiful. He has had mostly good skiiing days though.

Maybe there is a red flag but can't think why, my name is not common and I have never been stopped by immigration or been asked any questions. Once by customs, who did take my passport away to check (probably to see if I was on a sex offenders data base having traveled often around Asia) but never been in trouble otherwise. My photo is a bloody good reflection of an old man of 68 who hasn't changed at all since i was 65 when the picture was taken, never had a rinse in my grey old hair. Just one of those things although, if I remember rightly, the guy at the desk did say if you put your passport in the scanner slightly wrong or wrong way up first try, before eventually placing it correctly, it may prevent the scanner from letting you through. That was immigration's take on it anyway.