Wow, isn’t is something when you realise just how sick you were when you get better.
Having been off work for 2 weeks, with major headaches, part of me was getting worried, and part of me was feeling like a malingerer. Thing was, headaches aside, I didn’t feel so bad otherwise, or so I thought. Then on Friday, having booked in at a clinic for checks, sods law, I felt like a new man again. In fact I felt so different that it was then clear that I had been sicker than I had believed.
Still, I decided to go ahead with the clinic and am very glad that I did. Blood and urine tests revealed high end cholesterol and low end ‘good’ proteins. The doctor did a good job of warning of the dangers of heart disease if my cholesterol got any higher.
So now the fitness regime is back on with a vengeance. I got my bicycle fixed and for the last two evenings have done an eleven km circuit from my house, and intend to do that everyday. Also, now I’m back in form, its back to the gym 3 times a week, starting today.
Diet wise I am cutting out the bread, butter and red meats and eating much more fresh fruit and vegetables.
So, on to the Festival!
Boon had mentioned a Festival going on in Lamphun and so we decided to take a look last night.
It is the Loganberry Festival, fast on the heals of the Lamyai, its big harvest time.
So if you are looking for a great Street Market, with lots of bargains, loads of local food, and free entertainment, you have until the 16th to get to Lamphun and join in.
The Street Market has everything, from furniture and plants, to curtains and candyfloss.
Added bonuses are the performances ,on stage, by local artists, singing, traditional dancing, drums, etc; Fayre attractions, such as balloon popping, merry-go-round, bouncy castle,,etc….great if you have kids.
And for the bigger kids, they have Bumper cars!!!
The Festival is taking place on the inner moat road, west of Haripunchai Temple.
When we arrived we saw that there had been some sort of event going on over the weekend, sponsored by Sponsor.
We decided to grab something from the food court in the lower level of the Plaza.
As they prepared to scrub the school down there was a slight distraction when a baby Cobra was spotted.
Sadly it would appear that this is part of the culture that may be slipping. Whilst being a little wary, the kids seemed intent on throwing things at the snake, which was doing its best to slip away, to the point where it got agitated enough to turn and head towards them, hood spread.
Expecting the nearby cafes to be open I headed down the old Lamphun/Chiang Mai road to Cafe Lut 89, the small coffee stall just before the intersection with the Super Highway.
Heading over towards San Kam Paeng on the Banthi road, I should have remembered from Saturdays ride out with Ally, the distinct lack of decent eating stops along this road.
On the way back we called up to Wat Pa Tung and I got a photo of one of the possible sites for our Foundation plans.
As apposed to the normal ‘splash about’, I actually did about half an hours serious swimming.
Our other lunchtime companions were the cafe cat, who happily ate our leftovers, and a beautiful yellow and black butterfly, possibly a cousin of that hairy caterpillar.
On the way home we called in at Chompoo where we fed the fish and I bought a new Moneybox.
We also saw these amazing looking toads.
oh, and watching Wispa playing with her latest buddy, Fleabag.
Another day when culture comes first.
On arriving at school today we saw preparations being finalised for the imminent procession.
A few minutes shaking out my stiff joints and I went and caught up with the kids as they walked down to the second Temple.
In desperate need of refreshment by the time we reached the second Temple, I chose to sit this one out at the little shop opposite and take a drink, whilst the children all went in to deliver the second candle and listen to more sermon.
Then I discovered that there was a much bigger parade to come. We all went into the main village where many others were also gathering; many dressed in their traditional clothes, and with many decorated trucks, carrying candles and Buddha figures.
The procession actually ended up in the field of our school where there were food stalls, a stage and marquees, where yet more Monks were in attendance to receive gifts and give merit.
Happy to report that my fitness campaign goes on.
We watched this isolated storm making its way across the hills infront of us.
Maybe I might even get to a level where I feel able to join in with the kids playing football. Good target to have.
Continuing past the up market looking riverside restaurants close to the Lamphun city moat, we crossed the nearby intersection and took the first left soi that appeared to follow the river.
Taking advantage of their location the restaurant appeared to have its own fisherman, who popped his catches into a holding net in the cafe pond.
After a lot of riding in baking hot sunshine we spotted a large riverside restaurant that looked over the river towards a small Doi that turned out to be Doi Lo.
And I am so glad we did. Not that the Temple itself was much to shout about, but the views were fantastic.
Just long enough to get some great shots of the views and the obligatory ‘cute pose’ from a group of local boys who followed us everywhere practising their English.
Once at the Montri Hotel, at the top of Ratchadamnoen Rd, opposite Thapae Gate, we took a table outside, ordered drinks and waited for Jonathan. By 4.45 I decided I should check inside and sure enough spotted Jonathan who had been sitting there for about 20 minutes unaware that we had arrived already.
On the way we first called at Chiang Mai Gate food stalls to get stuff to take home with us.
We had seen the start of a local ‘rocket competition’,
It had apparently been going on for two days.
Hopefully I’ve finally given my long suffering mother a bit more peace of mind by finally getting to Lamphun Post Office and posting a letter to my UK bank and closing my account, they’ve been bugging my Mum for months.
I love being there, seeing what goes on. Although I’m dubious about the need for it , there is a different uniform for everyday. I’ll list them in the future. The main one that sticks out is Wednesdays being Scouts day. It’s easy for me to remember that one because the days activities often disrupt my schedule.
Two weeks ago saw another bar-b-q sunday at a local childrens home, with obligatory trip to the lake.
Last weekend saw us attend a Temple Party at Roz’s, Mums village , further down the road to Nikom. There were many fair stalls and foods stalls. With Glen, Roz and Mark, Boon and I sat for a beer or three and enjoyed the entertainment on the stage nearby. It was very well attended by the locals. Again I was a bit lax in not getting either the name of the village or the name of the Temple.
This weekend there was yet another Party at our local, Wat this time.
Other highlights were yesterdays 