Dog Tired

Yesterday battling against heavy rain and winds gusting up to 90 miles per hour I made it home from work at the end of my three day 12 hour shift rota. Feeling fairly down in the dumps with the UK weather, I was feeling a little more upbeat health-wise as my recent cold and chest infection seemed to be finally subsiding.

I picked up a cold during my last week in Thailand and boarding my flight home I seemed to have rid myself of the cold cum virus. Arriving back to the UK and into icy weather conditions my cold quickly returned with a vengeance, forming a kind of cross cultural super bug . My nine full days back in England have been filled with seven 12 hour work shifts leaving me feeling very tired and in need of another holiday.

As I wonder what today and it’s forcasted chilly gale force winds will do to my ebbing morale and fading tan, my mind constantly drifts back to Thailand and the warm climate it now embraces. Drifting back to the village life and the luxuries that a small fistful of Thai baht bring.

The herdsman taking his cattle out to graze often pops into our village garden and sits with me for a few minutes by our fishing pond. We talk in our different languages and point at the goldfish, not understanding anything of what the other has said. Today I miss that misunderstanding.

I miss the old lady with her young grandchild and their early morning visits to see Wonderful Wi. The old lady and Wilai talk as the small child wanders amongst the flowers and trees, finally kneeling down to watch the goldfish in the pond, ever hopeful for some chocolate or sweets.

I really do miss that quiet hour late at night, just my Jack Daniel, cigarettes and me. The Bangkok Post and a smoke, JD and coke, peace and quiet on a toxin diet, now just memories for me.

I’ve telephoned Wi everyday since coming home and a few days back she told me some good news. Her search for a puppy dog has now ended with the arrival of Cola a small tubby black and white bundle of mongrel. Wi is delighted with her new friend Cola who has quickly got into the routine of trying to hinder Wi with her garden chores. Wi’s last puppy Nin, unfortunately choked to death about three years ago and I’m hoping this new pup turns out to be more of a coca than choker Cola.

The one who is best avoided even in a good mood, Mama, hardly made a mention in my holiday blogs. Mama was in amazingly high spirits throughout my ten day stay in the village, never once slipping into her “Beast of the East” mode. Since my return to the UK the beast has resurfaced and Wi now fears another attempted coup.

Mother and daughter have been warring continually since my return home. My last telephone call to the battlefield revealed a complete breakdown in communications had occurred between the two, with young Cola having firmly allied his fat butt to the Wilai camp. The “War of Silence” will probably continue for a day or two but if the coup is coming, it’ll come soon.

Today I have got a well needed day off work and I’ll have a few beers this afternoon and watch some football. A full 12 hour shift of overtime waits for me tomorrow as I work my way towards a late April Thailand break……. Until then it’s just memories for me.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tags: Thailand, village
Posted in Blogs on January 18, 2009

5 Responses to “Dog Tired”

Pete, FrogBlogger Says:

January 18, 2009 at 2:21 pm

Thought there was a touch of post-Thailand blues in the damp, chilly British air… and combined with the superbug and 12 hour work shifts, it’s a miracle you’ve been as cheerful as you have in your blogs. Can I have some of whatever it is you are taking?!?

What is it about mothers and daughters – my other half is fine, continuing to provide her regular contribution to the family pension fund… just so long as there are several hundred kms between them. Two days together, and war inevitably breaks out. Battle strategy is being planned right now, as Piploy prepares to catch the bus to Yasothon tomorrow for the first family reunion in months.

I’ve never been to Yasothon – how far is it from your neck of the woods? Perhaps we could arrange to get the ‘BOTE’ and the Yasothon Uber Devil together – a double knockout and it would be peace all round.
Hoo Don Says:

January 18, 2009 at 7:48 pm

Had a look on the map at Yasothon, it’s a fair way south of Udon and logistically a long march from Chiang Mai. Any attempted coup on your Chiang Mai abode will probably have to be fought from the mountains. BOTE will have to be allied to supply YUD from Udon, a logistical nightmare that makes any attempted coup unlikely to succeed. A more likely scenario is that the “Hell Belles” go undercover at the Spotlight Go Go and enlist comrades from there.
Hope Piploy and baby have a good trip.
MeMock Says:

January 18, 2009 at 11:36 pm

Sometimes I think I am lucky that my MIL died well before I showed up!
malcolm Says:

January 19, 2009 at 2:47 am

Wow!!!!! from the sound of things you got a double dose when you got back home , or I think you now feel, your present residence and workplace . Your hearts in Thailand . Take care and hope you are feeling better , and remember there is light at the end , I remember whem we first thought of retireing in Thailand , seemed like some far off dream , but then one day it was time, and dreams do come true , keep on dreaming , that will keep you spirits up and make you more determined, to work hard and stay safe and healthy.
As far as the battle goes , that is just another way of life for the Thai’s, giving them something else to talk with the neighbors about ,and gives the neighbors something to talk about too , besides their three main topics , food ,weather,money.All in a day, living it the LOS. Malcolm
lillian Says:

January 19, 2009 at 3:00 am

Hmmm hope you feel better soon. Makes me glad to be in CM !!