Nice New Year

It's been a nice one so far - not too hot and a couple of interesting days, despite not leaving the Bangkok area this Christmas period.

Went to the horse racing on New Year's Day, which was a lot of fun and have just come back from fresh water fishing expedition just outside Bangkok . You can see the photos below .

The only low point of today was when I was nearly killed by a motorbike . I got out of the taxi to, ironically, go and visit the local hospital for a second session of physiotherapy on my leg. I looked to my right to see if there was any traffic coming in my direction on the strictly one-way street, as the traffic travelling in the other direction happened to be over on the other carriageway , and saw that there were no cars coming . I therefore started to walk over to the central embankment, in order to complete the crossing, when I was suddenly hit by a motorbike and rider traveling in the opposite direction on the wrong side of the road . Naturally, I was a little shocked and slightly hurt as the machine grazed both of my shins at about 30kph . It also ran over my right foot . The rider went flying and so did his bike and they were both fortunate not to be run over by the cars that were coming in our direction . Needless to say, I was more than a little upset about the fact that this chap had run into me and nearly knocked me over but I was also concerned that he might be injured, too . As it turned out , he wasn't that badly injured and neither of us needed to go to the hospital , except me that is for my physiotherapy.

We checked each other out to make sure that we were both all right , he apologized , which I think under the circumstances was the right thing to do, I accepted his apologies and we went our separate ways .

Moral of the story . Look right. Look left. Look, don't cross the road if there is a chance that you might be run over by a motorcycle going in the wrong direction . Use the footbridge !

More about the trials and tribulations of living in Bangkok, including trying not to eat meat for at least a month tomorrow .

"Hi Guys! This is Brian and I'm not so keen on being here so please put me back in the water! Already, OK?" 

Come to Papa! 

This is me at Bung Sam Lan, just outside Bangkok this afternoon, reeling in the mother of all catfish, Brian. Brian is not going to come into my net without a damn good fight! 

The name of the casket-makers below where my apartment was where I stayed for three weeks. The apartment had no windows. A bit like one of David's caskets, I suppose. I didn't notice the name of the shop until I looked up just before I caught a taxi out of there, nearly ten years ago. Sent a bit of a chill through my spine, I can tell you! Good to go back and visit and find the shop still there. 

Rich English, Taipei, Taiwan. This is the place where I took up a post as an English teacher in January 1996. It wasn't to be. After three miserable weeks working in a cram school I left. I had the chance to re-visit Taiwan last month to attend a regional ICT conference, representing the British Council, Thailand. 

Much happier times!

This is me, standing by one of David (Taiwanese Undertaker)'s finest caskets. 

Also had the good fortune to catch David, the owner of the establishment arriving on his luxury motor-scooter. After explaining why I was loitering around his shop, he kindly asked me in and gave me a bit of a tour of the place. The unit I'm standing by is made of finest mahogany. There were others in teak and even some Italian imports. I guess if you're gonna go you may as well go in style!

Medicine

Raised over 10,000 baht for my efforts in the BKK marathon, thanks to generous colleagues at the British Council, Thailand. Here I am handing over a big box of medicines for the babies and toddlers of the Pakkret Babies Home, Nonthaburi.  

A couple of the real sweeties from Pakret babies home. Hopefully there'll be fewer runny noses for a couple of weeks ... 

Finished

Finished. Literally! Seemed like the finish line would never materialise as I got to the 39km mark but after corner after corner, the cheerleaders started to appear, crowds lined the pavements and eventually, eventually, there it was! Nearly tore all my arm muscles as I punch the air in triumph like a geriatric bingo winner but was proud not to have walked any of the way.

Bring on Phuket, June 11th!

I would've had you if I was really trying! 

Finally did it!

Put the kettle on, love! 
Me and my mates from Africa cool down after completing the Bangkok Marathon 2005. We placed first, second, third and one thousand one hundred and tenth respectively. I'll leave you to work out who came where!