jacko

I suspect you are correct. I asked the girl in Fever, but she gave me some nonsense answer, as the adage goes, even if they don't know, they will tell you anyhow. I don't want to go so far out as Siambury's, nor those Pratumnak Expat shops, but looking on Google Maps, Britshop looks okay for a little ride out on the bike, anybody know that place? Otherwise, can I still get some cheese at Foodland, a short stroll from my Big-CX shop? They were always limited to mainly Gouda and Edam, neither particularly exciting, but will have to do!

Popped into Fever in the Bong Koch area yesterday to see no cheese available. What's going on? Cheese being one of those special treats from my past life. I usually go for English ones... but no, no crumby Lancashire, Red Leicester or mature cheddar, fine Fettle Yorkshire, Cheshire Blue etc etc. Is Thailand stopping us enjoying this import? Will a Welsh rarebit become even rarer?

All too often here it is adults taking a drunken dip, or going fishing in a pond or small lake......

Yeah, I might have felt better early on about water, if I had had more confidence in it and could keep myself afloat.... as it was I believe I feared it, as I was pushed and dumped head first into the pool by the sadistic teacher! My father didn't have patience either.

I think slow moving around central Pattaya is okay and quite safe... when I have to share a bigger road with coaches, trucks and cement mixers I get fearful. The Indian pedestrians seem to be completely without fear as they walk in the roads!

You perhaps got used to a bit of low season and now here comes the max!

Another comment relating to this. I recall someone posting an AI pic of soi 15 back during the time of the great dig, when it looked more like Flanders. Fancy and perfect Tarmac, and a long way from where we are now. I know the broken bits you mean!

I was thinking that as I rode into town and back on my little motorcycle yesterday... not only the damaged and bumpy road surface caused by previous burying of drainage and subsequent flooding... but all the damned drain covers which give you a good bump and are impossible to get around. I came home via Sukhumvit for a change, but that has other issues, too much reckless traffic. Damned tourists are coming!

Her father is pretty good but she should be swimming better. I did not learn to swim until abut 11-12, and to be honest the early attempts scared me with a sadistic teacher at primary school. Fortunately my next school did have a large pool and I quickly learned.. it was standard as it should be.

Yes I have done that with her and her nephew who stayed with us a bit. The youngest niece is too precious!

Dear me that sounds like a bum deal....... No claim to compensation is very strange, perhaps because the fault was not really with the airline, more the efforts at Melbourne. It all makes good TV though, which Australian customs is very famous for......

Well let us hope they simply do not connect to the storm drains!

Would you happen to know if they have found a sewage line to connect to there, or are we to be treated to tanks being emptied every now and again and a lingering odour?

I hear The Golden Ferret nearby there does a good Fish and Chips, tried there yet?

I guess the Naval guys cancelling the parade for fear of a bit of water would have been a poor message!

I always remember some parade going down Beach Rd in the floods many years ago, all these guys and girls in uniform splish-splosh-splashing their way down the road keeping a brave face. Was it perhaps St Patrick's Day Parade?

I have a few old Pattaya freebie maps in the drawer of my spare bedroom...... nostalgia. Some great GGBs on that one in the OP, my all time favourite Crazy House, but oh so many other good places.

It sought planning permission in 2008, construction was halted in July 2014. Since then it has been a monument to how corruption is here. Not quite the appeal of say Edinburgh Castle is it?

Las Vegas Beer Garden?

The paint itself seems to fade very quickly, notwithstanding them digging the concrete away from underneath it. Nearly hit a pop out on 2nd a few days back.... many reckless pedestrians, to go with the reckless drivers.

I was more into saving the other necessities, like the COR and docs visit, which I did not have to do, nor the online test. Even the lift to the DVLC did not apply as I live close, and it was easier to meet them there. (Whereas immigration is quite distant and a pet hate). Things at the DVLC were rather different than my previous renewal so I might have been a bit lost at the appointment making stage..... yes the rest of it was trivial... but we had a nice chat this lady and I. As I mentioned, the Tik Tok girls I saw there were a fair distraction.

I missed a lot of those steps but paid 5000 to an agent, just the 2 visits to the DVLC on Hwy 36, with about 10 days between them. I expect that would be more in high season. They also got my address wrong so don't be lulled into a false sense of security. ( I have a tendency to go into a trance when doing these types of things.... sort of the long haul syndrome).

London Has Fallen

Yes very competitive. I hope the exchange rate doesn't get any worse.