Mountain High

A few days ago we went up to Sooks village in the mountains.
After navigating the hairpin bends and seemingly vertical climb, we reached Sooks village where the air was noticeably cooler and fresher.

The first order of the day was to greet family and friends.

Sooks dad with his grandchild.

Sooks mum working on her needle work.

 

A walk through the village produced some great pics of flowers growing along the side of the road and peaking over the garden fence.

 



 

Then it was time to do some serious work out in the fields, accompanied by the songs of birds and the hoots of monkeys that lived in the jungle not 50 metres from where we toiled.

The coffee plants had just finished flowering and the new coffee beans were starting to form.

 

The young 2 year old plants needed to have the young beans stripped off the plant, so they would have another year to grow stronger before bearing a crop.

So that was our job for the day. We spent a pleasant few hours working amongst the young coffee plants.

There was alot more growing on the land. In between the coffee plants there were peaches starting to form on the tree.
Parsley ready to plant in the fields.

 The hydrangea bushes that are part of the royal project up here were flowering.
Between all this were the ubiquitous bananas.

A few jack fruit trees laden with their fruits.

Also an avocado just a few months off harvest.

We weren't the only ones working in the fields.
Sooks onion crop is coming along well.

 

We admired the new fish pond that had been filled with baby cat fish. These will be ready to eat in about 5 months



On the drive back to the village there were some great views down the valley.

After a hearty lunch we checked on the Still where rice whiskey was being distilled.

Of course we had to sample it.

I think it is a acquired taste.

Heading back to the lowlands we passed the road building crew. The road up to Sooks village is made of concrete. They've been working on this road for a few years now. Only a few more kilometres to go.

 

Decorating with flowers

When we arrived in our newly rented house with our tired old furniture I knew something had to be done.
So I spent a few days with paint and transformed a table, chairs and shelving unit.

Of course then I had to take an emergency trip down to the flower market to get some cut flowers to fill the vases.

 

Exploring the local markets

Now that we are living in a small town, we find ourselves buying food in the local markets and cooking for ourselves. In ChiangMai there were so many great restaurants to eat in we seldom ate at home.
I love wandering through the markets checking out the produce, and knowing that it is grown locally, and is all freshly picked, and to experience all the colours and smells.
These Thai sweets caught my eye

As did these coloured chickens. Not quite sure what they were all about or what was to become of them. But they sure were eye catching.

All is available from knives to fruit trees.

It is mango season. These are a few of the varieties available. Though we don't need to buy any! It seems like someone drops us off a bag every few days. Fortunately we love mangoes and there is no such thing as eating too many.

There are mountains of fresh herbs and spices to choose from.

 Lots of fresh meat and fish.

And don't forget the eggs.

In the process of cooking for ourselves, I have even started to plant a few edibles in our thin sliver of a garden.
The spring onions were easy. It was just a matter of buying a bunch(with the roots still attached), and planting what we didn't eat.

The chilis were much the same. Save a few seeds before eating them all, and planting them in a pot.

We won't be here to eat them ourselves, but Sook should appreciate them after we leave.

Moving house and garden

Last week in 40'C weather we moved house. for the last 25 years we have been based in ChiangMai, but we decided it was time for a change so we have moved about 50km west of ChiangMai to a small town called Chom Thong. Chom Thong sits at the foot of the highest mountain in Thailand called Doi Inthanon.
Doi Inthanon is actually the first height of land that is high enough to be called a mountain, in the range of mountains called the Himalayas. 
The gardening opportunities in our new location are limited to plants in pots except for a narrow garden either side of the entry way that the landlord has already planted with sapling shrubs.
Our garden in ChiangMai was based on pot plants. It was a sorry collection of plants that were strong enough to survive on long absences and benign neglect.

 

This collection of plants got loaded into the back of a pickup truck and made the hour long drive in the horrendous heat to their new home. They didn't do well with this treatment. I am hoping that the rains that seem to have started here will help repair some of the damage.

 

Here are the opportunities for gardening. A cemented area outside the sliding doors, with great mountain views, and a narrow strip to the side of the parking area.

 

We have already started to assemble the potted plants outside the sliding doors. It will make a great breakfast area. I can already see the possibilities.

 

 

Fishing with Bodge

We spent another afternoon with Ya and Bodge.
This time fish was on the menu.

Bodge has several large fish ponds, heavily stocked with a variety of fish.

 

Getting the net ready to strike.

 

With a quick swipe, the choice is made.

These were turned into a delicious curry by Ya,

 

that we ate on the deck overlooking another picturesque pond, listening to the frogs and birds, and enjoying the slight breeze that cooled the evening.

 

 

 

The rains have arrived

For the last few nights we have been getting rain, thunder and lightening. All very dramatic. As a consequence the days are cooler and fresher, and the city looks fresh and clean.
I am enjoying the numerous trees on the sides of the road that are in flower now.

 

The golden rain tree is especially graceful with its buttery yellow clusters of flowers dripping from its branches.

 

 

It is hard to miss the firey mass of red flowers adorning the flame tree.

 



 

For inside the house I have been buying bunches of alstroemerias and orchids.

 

Both are long lasting flowers in this heat. Though I think the orchids do especially well. I've had this bunch in the vase for 10 days now.