HILLY

Even though we had heard about it all from Ben today those pictures were still a major tug at the heart strings. Dads wai was so high that Martin should have felt a huge compliment was being offered which as some may know is not often to be expected from a Thai to a farang. Good on the FLB management/owner for making all this possible. Closing the bar was a major decision in itself but hiring a coach and providing for all the staff to get there with all the added extras that were bound to follow was a gesture that is rare anywhere let alone in the LOS. To the members and the visitors who threw so much money into the pot you can feel proud to be part of this tragic event in the families lives. Regardless of what the Buddhist religion says on reincarnation, to loose a son or daughter must hurt just as much as it would in any other country. Those donations are going to make the families lives just that little bit easier in the future after they come to terms with their loss, if anyone really ever does.

We are back home tomorrow night Martin and and will catch up with you or Ben then.

Devastated and totally sad. A.M. and I heard the news over the phone last night whilst still here in Christmas Island on the last day of our holiday. Members tributes already posted say it all. Om was part of the old FLB family and such an even tempered girl. At the odd tmes when all seemed to be falling apart and tempers were frayed she just sat there, smiled and got on with her job. This will take the girls a while to get over and it will seem strange not seeing her at her post. The girls come and go but leaving in such a tragic way and at such a young age seems so unfair. Both of us are gutted.

Just a Quickie before popping over to Bali. We finished our golf trip to Phuket yesterday along with Pete and Doghouse making a promo film of golfing in LOS. A great trip but yesterday was the greatest. Mission Hills is a new course and what a course it is. Not because of the condition as the course is still so new that the greens and fairways still need time to settle down but the fantastic layout and dramatic scenery must make this one of the best courses to play on in the world. Everyone and the pro agreed that they had never experienced anything like this anywhere. If anone gets the chance to play there just go for it. Wait for the photos that are bound to follow later.

The fishing is now absolutely crap. The best time was before Christmas when a few sailfish ventured into the area but even they were nothing special. They have all migrated back South now as have most other pelargic species. If you want to go fishing then go to Phuket and not here, You will be dissapointed 99% for sure. Terry at Shamrock can put you onto Capt Dang who has been at it aver 20 years and I have fished with him. He tries hard and knows where to go. Still low chances of landing a whopper but better than with most who really do not give a toss. As for the PSC site please notice that it has never been updated since 2001 for fishing results. Reason. There were none. Also notice that fish are so rare here that whenever anyone catches one they kill it even if it is not suitable for the pot.

East Coast Real Estate on 2nd Road opposite Royal Garden Mall. David Grey ( a Scot) is the owner and a man of integrity that I would trust and have many times without any problem.

Will do my best mate and no I have never been to Subic. First visit to A/C was only 4 years ago but since then have been back many times and its great for a change but I could never live there.

Thaksin can do whatever he feels like doing and will for sure do it until he is fired by his own party which must be a possibility. I agree that he is fast becoming a dictator and is at the least very dangerous with his quick temper and mistrust of everyone even in his own party. I have heard about this notice and it may just be the tip of the iceburg. However if he tries this one on he will have a major problem to contend with. The Thais who are earning their livings in this way will not take it lying down and demos and petitions are going to be flying around. I suspect that this is a local issue rather than a national one and there was strong talk about licensing being handed over to local authorities who could then set their own rules for closing etc especially in tourist areas like Pty and Phuket. It was interesting to see that Phuket did not shut its bars/clubs for the last religious day and this was by direct order of the authorities I understand. The mayor wants later closing also but why not get in the licensing revenue which they have every right to under last years new rules. Torrenova I know where you are coming from as a bar owner and maybe I would be thinking or hoping the same if I was in your position. As for it not happening I would not be so sure. I reckon that Thaksin laid low on this subject until his victory was confirmed and what the hell come next is a daunting prospect. It is patently obvious that he has little time for farangs of any type who he says do nothing but criticise him and his policy's. The King also seems to want to close up the nightlife as stated in his last speech on loud music and drinking. We will see and are powerless to do anything. The Thais however are not without a voice.

I rarely post outside of the members section and now I know why. What a silly post this is. Fat white women in Pty??? So what is new here. They have been coming here forever in large numbers and they come in all shapes and sizes just like we do. I wonder what they say about some of us??? The only difference now from 20 years ago is that a few more find their way to our fun places and why not. Its fun to have some of them around and the majority of the BG's love to compare notes with Western woman regardless of their shape or size. Think I will go now before I say something I might regret. Begs, if you live here then you are bound to know me and my Western girlfriend so look us up any time and introduce yourself. You will find us in the FLB most nights. I will bet you a beer or three on the same basis as Barrio just to have the pleasure of finding out who you are here or in the A/C where I will be next in early April.

No Doggie my boy has been preoccupied with a little thing called Anne from The Seas bar. However he lost our spare phone in a Eden in Bkk last week so she can not ring him. LOL. I will bow to your superior powers of communication and allow you to go first then. Speak when you get in.

I agree she might be hard to shake off but she has to be done. I will take on the unenviable task myself then.

OK Callum and count me in for Pty on one or maybe 2 days. Phoenix is in superb condition for this time of year and being heavily watered every night. If you want Phoenix or anywhere else for that matter and need me to make a tee reservations then let me know. Even though Phoenix is fully booked most of the time the round this week was unhurried and we only let a three through at the ninth whist we stopped for one of A.M.'s large sized Cornish pasties each. LOL. Thanks for the offer and Bee may well be getting dangerous. LOL.

Managed to get tee time at Phoenix today which is no mean feat as the course is fully booked every day. Cost 1500 Baht with caddy and buggy. The course is in very good condition which is not the same as some at the moment that are not being watered. Doggie, as well as my usual caddy Ji with Aaron and daddy outlaw making up a three ball my caddy decided to get two mates rather than leave it to chance. One of course was the lovely lady with the cell phone. She was looking fucking exquisite and my boy thought so as well but would not do anything about it so I gave her my boys Thai cell number which she was begging me for. She also said not to tell you so I will not. LOL. A fun day out with little red rose Valantine stickers all over us and them of course. Before she tells on me, John hired and Aaron used your clubs instead. She was very confused when she saw your clubs and spent ages looking around the car park for you. However I reckon she was on something today as she was a little nightmare and spent all day trying to wreck our buggies. This girl never goes behind the wheel of my motor. Over it maybe but never behind. LOL Take care mate.

The new Roof Bar that you refer to Pete in the upstairs Diamond area opposite Shark has now been going for a couple of weeks and the owner who does not like to think of herself as a mamasan is called Goy. She is a very personable lady and seems to have a passion for her new venture. However she soon found out that striptease was not as easy to train the girls in as she thought and has seemed to have dropped the idea. Likewise lap dancing also has gone by the board so this is now just a regular gogo. The place has been well spruced up but done on the cheap with lots of padded vinyl and the most silly idea of a carpeted floor that in two weeks looks dreadfull. However she is starting to pick up some good girls and I reckon it will improve even more over the coming weeks. The marines from U-Tapou have found the joint and are there in large numbers as a very well behaved bunch. I like the place.

There is a very challenging little nine hole course right on your door step. It is within the Asia hotel complex and consists of all par 3's some short and some long enough to use a 5 iron for me.LOL. Take the road past the fitness park on the way to The Royal Cliff and the next turn right after the police box turning. Well signposted. A few hundred Baht and trolleys for hire also as well as clubs if you need them. Morning is best as can get busy.

Brian I am not clear on what date it is on this year. We are in Bkk 25th to 29th Jan and if not on these dates might be able to make it.

Now this might be a bit risky but A.M.s mum and dad are coming to stay for 10 days and if anyone fancies joining us to make up a four with him,me and A.M. they will be most welcome. Bear in mind however that the missus is a sweet innocent thing in her daddies eyes so there will be a strict "no bar girl" discussion rule. LOL. PM or post here please if any golfers are in town. Siracha and Phoenix likely venues.

Hub thanks mate and have a promise of the clubs but not sure if it will work out as the guy is now doubtful on his trip here. Will let you know. Hub what was the loft on that driver and what also was the shaft. Thanks. Assume it was not customised?

Nice one Hub and if you had not lent me That Biggest Big Bertha then the back nine for us would have resulted in a draw and the USA would have taken home the prestigious trophy. What a piece of metal that club is. Even if you miss the ball by 6 inches you still hit it. Anyway what do I know about 6 inches. LOL. Thanks for the club and if anyone coming here soon fancies picking me up The Biggest Big Bertha and its twin mate the 3 wood then I will buy you the best looking bird you can find in FLB to go with the money they cost. Might even convince Mod to leave me for a night.LOL Nice report Hub and thanks for helping Europe. Also thanks to Greg for his support.

Yep we have our Captain to thank for putting the sheep. Two victories in one day then Ian. Nice one partner and wish I could have been there to see it. For those that dont know what the fuck we are on about the match was a draw and decided by a putting competition in the FLB last night. Europe gets to take the trophy as of course was predicted by many of us but this was a valient attempt by the US to hold on to it. Hard luck lads. Hey and Bob your putting had been so good all day as well. This is where the European mind will always win out. We can see a sheep from any angle. LOL.

Well I just got home and am going to miss the evening as have to spend all night glued to the bloody phone for a meeting in the UK. Pain in the arse but a week ago thought I might not even be here to play. Anyway it was a great day on a good course and as usual things did not go completely to plan. Every one arrived at RG on time(8.45am, ouch) although most competitors after last nights late ones looked shagged out already. I personally evaded getting nobled by a certain Ozy who will remain nameless. Around midnight my regular told me she had received a sum of money to keep me awake all night. Silly boy didn't realise that she does that for free anyway. So I gave her the rest of the night off and by 2am we were back home alone. You could see however that this was not true of many. Now to the coach which has never managed to be completely right in the three years the cup has been running. Year one 2002 the driver took us to a driving range miles from the course and thought he had done really well. Year 2 2003 there was no air con and a lot of abuse was hurled at the driver who tried to cook us all by insisting that his door should be open. This year we had the biggest dickhead ever. He painfully tried to load every bag at snails pace until I chucked the bags at him. He then spent 5 minutes waiting for a break in the traffic to get on the road even though at times there was no traffic to be seen. Then he proceeded at 15 K's an hour and by the time we had got halfway to Sukumvit us in the front were definitely of the opinion that he had never driven a coach before. In fact we pulled him over and one of the guys even offered to drive it for us. Real scary I may add. It then transpired after a few phone calls that he did not know where the fuck he was going so Callum called the course and they spoke to him to give directions. 15 Minutes later as he said the same bloody thing to the person on the phone I got pissed off and took it off him. The girl on the end told me he was stupid but what the fuck no choice and off we went weaving down Sukumvit and onto the motorway where he picked up speed to 110. The Cash Cow was looking pale and everyone was looking rather worried so I told him to slow down and not to go above 60K's. He slammed on the brakes and tried to stop altogether before Ben persuaded him to keep going. We reached the course 30 minutes late but Callum had stepped up the start time to 10.30 and by 11am we were off. It was a beautiful day with a bit of cloud to keep the rays down but still bloody hot. Caddies were excellent and good fun also. Ian and me went off first against Mike and Bob and won the front nine by 1 and the back nine by the same. Tight game that could have gone any way but 4 points in the bag for Europe. Behind us was A.M. and Ben against Kevin and Greg. The match ended in a friendly draw. I have been told that the third match went all the way of the USA but by the time they were finished I was in my car with my own driver for a quick getaway to home and business. London just stopped for lunch so had a few minutes to waste on this. So at last count it was even and looking forward to knowing the final result myself later. Great bunch of guys and a bloody good day out in the fresh air. PS Air not that fresh as it was raining ash from stubble burning all over the place but it will make the grass grow later. LOL

Nope there is one of us left up. OK the signing in went well but the US has failed to enter a convincing side. Raponggi tried to noble me by paying my regular extra dosh to keep me up all night but I have explained to him that the US is not the same as Oz and he should feel used and abused by being made to bat for the suckers. What6 the fuck I am off to make the most of a freebie and fuck the Rideher cup which is braken antway/# You woul d not belieive how many times I tried to type thas. I an fukced.

>Two women were playing golf. One teed off and watched in horror as her ball >headed directly toward a foursome of men playing the next hole. > >The ball hit one of the men, and he immediately clasped his hands together >at his groin, fell to the ground and proceeded to roll around in agony. > >The woman rushed down to the man and immediately began to apologize. > >"Please allow me to help. I'm a physical therapist and I know I could >relieve your pain if you'd allow me," she told him. > >"Oh, no, I'll be all right. I'll be fine in a few minutes," the man >replied, >still in pain, still in the! foetal position, still clasping his hands >together in his groin. > >But she persisted, and he finally allowed her to help. She gently took his >hands away and laid them to the side, she loosened his pants, and put her >hands inside. She began to massage him. > >She then asked, "How does that feel?" > >He replied, "It feels great, but my thumb still hurts like hell."

Still working on that one Kev.

After a week of grueling negotiations at 12pm last night I got the got the OK that I do not have to go to London next week. So we are now both in for the Ryder cup although I will have to shoot home as soon as the game is over and spend the rest of the evening and probably night also on the phone. Still I would have been sad to miss the third Ryder Cup so much happier now. See you guys and gals in the next week or so.