Some Funny Flood Prevention Photos

Alan managed to capture a few funny signs whilst we were out walking.

Not much to say to that one really is there?!

Shopping By Boat

Here is the latest missive from Sue over in Pinklao.

Latest Pics From Roving Correspondent Sue

Sue is keeping us up to date still, on the view from the other side of the river.

Last night the trucks were loading sand bags onto army trucks on Pinklao bridge. Then when I awoke this morning I saw lots of Navy boats going up the river loaded down with more bags.
This morning the water is at a new high!!!! The houses next to our condo our now under about 5 feet of water, the smell from the polluted water in their homes must be really unpleasant.
The condo grounds are badly flooded with a lot of soil erosion occurring, which is not helping the situation.
Access to and from the condo can now only be made by boat!!! Sandbags at the gate are keeping the water levels down within the grounds to about 12inches. However, as soon as you climb over them, to get into the boat, the water rises to chest height. Once out in the streets the manager told me the water is 5 feet deep!!! I'm definitly not going to go walking around in that!!! However, a ride in the boat to get provisions sounds exciting. Once our stocks start to deplete I will try to make the trip to Banglampoo for more supplies.
If you look closely, you will see one of the guards with a fishing net over his shoulder at the condo gate. He was about to go fishing!!! The manager told me that last night they cooked their own rice, and ate the fish they caught in the flood water.
Our manager thinks the water might be around for approximately 4 weeks now because it is so deep. We'll just have to wait and see.

Supermarket Blues

Yesterday we popped into the Tops supermarket on Sathorn, by the British Club.  This is what we were met with.

The bottom two shelves were empty on every row, presumably to keep the goods out of the flood water.

Photos From Your Dry Correspondent - Still!

More flood related photos.

Looking out towards the swimming pool from our apartment.

Happy Halloween!

Brini Boo

 Made by the very scary Chris B!

More Pics From Sue

From our roving correspondent Sue's email about the flood.
...the walk to the 7 Eleven, which I made yesterday in water over a metre deep for most of the way. It was quite dangerous, because it was impossible to see a curb or pot hole. Despite losing my shoe in the water twice, I made it to the 7 Eleven and managed to pick up 12 small bottles of water which I carried back on my shoulders. The walk which usually takes about 15mins there and back took 1.5 hours!!!! If I had realised how deep it was going to get, I don't think I would have gone. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the experience (sort of), the locals were so up-beat as usual, and of course they were very surprised to see me, and I got some great photo's.
Not sure I will be rushing out again, as the water is now a good deal deeper and set to rise even further!!! It will be quicker to swim!!


This email was all the more surprising when I tell you that Sue is the latest addition to my list of geographically challenged friends, she can't find her way anywhere!  I am mightily impressed Sue, that you found your way there and back, with the landscape so changed.  

Flood Preperations

In my part of town, we are all now braced for the flood.  I am still the lone voice saying it won't come, but as I have said before, that is probably more wishful thinking than anything else.

These are some photos I took walking from our soi up to Asoke and back this morning.

 This is a relatively new shop.

Rationing in BKK

I have to say that I never thought I would ever see rationing, but here it is in Bangkok.  I took this photo this morning in Big C on Rama IV.  Eggs, rice, toilet tissue and some soft drinks had these tags.  There is no water to be had apart from a few bottles of expensive Perrier - and then just over a box full.

Chef Ben Does It Again

Everyone has a bit of a moan about guests, no matter how eagerly anticipated their arrival.  'What shall we give them to eat', we all groan?  Well, when Ben Chalmers rolls into town, your worries are over because Ben takes over your kitchen.  Yes Chef Ben to the rescue!

Chao Phraya River

Yesterday Alan and I went to see for ourselves just how full the river really is.  As you can see, it is very full.  It was also fast moving.

Can She Do It?

I am keeping my fingers crossed--it has taken me over two hours just to figure out how to switch Google Blogger from Arabic to English!! Baby steps, baby steps....if this works, stay tuned to more!!

Water Water Everywhere But Not A Drop To Drink!

Wednesday evening I was told that the supplier of our drinking water (Sprinkle), could no longer provide us with water as their factory had been flooded.

That was followed by the news that some of the drinking water in BKK had become slightly contaminated by flood water.

On top of that, we were then told that we were going to be hit by the flood water today or this weekend.  I have to say at this point, it feels bizarre talking about the place flooding.  It is bright sunshine and hasn't rained in a couple of days.  I am positive that the rainfall in BKK itself is lighter than normal.


Anyway, as it was evening, I decided to wait until the next day to buy a few bottles of back up water.

Bag Lady Brinnistool

Chris sent photos of her latest project.  She has now officially become a bag lady.  Apparently she got started accidentally.  She was making pillowcases for her extra large bed pillows, needed for her extra large head, and thought they would also make good bags.  JUST KIDDING!!!  But this is Chris and it IS her head and no digital effects were used I promise.  Er, obviously there are digital effects on me.  My mouth could never be that big!

Yummy!

This photo is especially for Janice.  Next time you visit the supermarket and buy some processed fruit juice,  spare a thought for what I'll be drinking!  Remember?

Jill's Baby Quilt

If you follow The Battys, you will know that Blondie and Little Red now live with Jill.  What I didn't tell you was that as well as the batting, Jill also took home some African fabric that I had.  Jill and her friends make and donate quilts they make for babies.  Jill kindly sent me a picture of one of the quilts she has made, using some of the African fabric I donated for the backing.

Flood Prevention

As I'm writing this there is an enormous downpour going on.  It has been a typical monsoon type of day in fact.  A bit of sun, a bit of grey, a bit of rain.

We went out for lunch and I took a few photos to show you how Sukhumvit is preparing itself for the flood (should it come).

Terminal 21, Bangkok's Latest Shopping Mall

For all you ex Bangkokians, here is Terminal 21, the latest shopping mall to open in Bangkok.  It is situated at Asoke junction.  It opened on Tuesday.  Today I trotted along with my little Nikon, to see what excitement there was to be found.

Bangkok Floods

I think our neighbour is taking this flooding business way more seriously than I.  Mind you, maybe I would be more concerned if I lived on the ground floor.

Tom & Jerry's area is one of the areas designated as likely to flood.  I guess all those klongs around Sathorn make it an easy target.

Dutch Ovens Continued

Remember on our religious walk that covered a church, temple and mosque, we visited a Portuguese cake bakery.  Isn't the method they used to cook those cakes the same as your Dutch oven?  I am really curious about this method of cooking now that I have seen how the Dutch oven works.

Dutch Oven Cooking

Allison, our daughter, and her husband Rob have long (a couple of years) experimented with Dutch Oven Cooking and they have invited us over for some great desserts in the past. Daniel, pictured below, also has a dutch oven and raises rabbits and chickens, all of which can prove very handy when it comes to planning a dinner. Roger and I just bought our first dutch oven so last night, Saturday, we combined our efforts for a total dutch oven dinner at our home. Roger and I cooked the potatoes, Allison and Rob the dessert, and Daniel and Grace the main dish, Rabbit stew (that's chicken stew when the grand kids are around).

Challenge completed

Challenge, What Challenge?

BUT CAN SHE COMPLETE A CHALLENGE?

We ALL know how fearless our Janice is:

Whether admitting she is lost again (ouch!)

SNOW!

This morning I woke up to rain, low clouds and predictions of snow in the mountains. By early afternoon, it was 39 degrees F (or 3.8 C) and snow was on the tops of the hills surrounding the valley. The temperatures are supposed to be back to the 70's next week, but I realized today that I am not ready for winter. Kim, hurry and move into your new apartment and make sure there is an extra bedroom - I don't know if I can take this winter thing after seven years of Bangkok!

Park Ventures

I walked past your old home Janice, when I realised that the facade of the building opposite you is finished.  Here it is.

Up the Canyon

Saturday after the wedding, we headed up the canyon to our cabin to see the progress. They were still hard at work, but promised all would be completed by Tuesday. Going up through Parley's Canyon we see a lot of bright reds, oranges and yellows. Sadly, there really isn't a good place to pull off the expressway to stop and take pictures. This was taken from the outlet mall in Park City, a favorite place to go shopping. Whoever comes to visit usually gets a visit to the mall as well.

More Wedding Pictures

Has Anyone Else Noticed This?

As soon as I saw the wedding photo of Evan I though, he looks just like the actor Mark Whalberg!!!

Evan and Nash

The Wedding