Published     26 November 2004

The English chronicle (Pt. 10)

(An off the wall episode of the Nongkhai narrative)

I have been surprised (but very flattered) by the number of complaints that more than two months has elapsed since part 9 was published on 24th September. Many people know that I spent one month in the UK, so this episode is really about that month. I had planned to write an episode in the UK attacking President Bush, and urging all thinking American citizens not to vote for him, but that might have been seen as trying to influence the internal affairs of a sovereign state, and only the USA itself is allowed to interfere in the politics of another country, usually when it sees it can make money. E.g. Iraq, yes that's right Iraq. You didn't really think that was about WMD's and Saddam Hussein did you? Ask yourself 'Who now controls Iraq's oil?' Answer, the world's biggest polluter, who still refuses to sign up to Kyoto, because it can make more money for itself by polluting the planet for the rest of us. Now don't get me wrong, with the exception of one or two washed out Vietnam vets, all the US citizens I know are very nice people. Many of them actually think as I do that what their government is doing is wrong. In fact many US citizens I don't know think this way too. Don't believe me? Then go to www.sorryeverybody.com So this is my attack on President Bush and his policies, not an attack on Americans as people, and I don't feel that it was in any way hypocritical to attend an excellent Thanksgiving Meal at Jose Ramon's Restaurant and Cantina last night. (Story and pics in the next episode, but thanks for a great night Jose.)

Before leaving the subjects of elections and Iraq, I see that democratic elections are still scheduled to take place in Iraq. Given the comments by former USA president Jimmy Carter that voting procedures in many states of the USA fall below internationally accepted standards, will the voting standards in Iraq be internationally acceptable? Wouldn't that be great if they were? The USA invades Iraq for its oil, but then gives the citizens of Iraq better voting standards than it allows its own citizens. (Especially where those USA citizens are black or likely to vote Democrat.) I guess we can console ourselves that at least President Bush was elected this time round, rather than being selected by the Supreme Court as last time, and he will probably pave the way for a democrat in 4 years time, Hilary Clinton perhaps?

Meanwhile back in the UK I stayed for much of the month with my father and mother, both pictured right.  Dad is 85, and Mum is 81, and they are both in good health (for octogenarians) so I feel privileged and very lucky to be able to visit and stay with them. At my request they had made a list of tasks to be done which they felt unable to tackle. I was pleased to be able to help by completing the list, and even added a few more. One of my 'tasks' was to act as chauffeur for longer trips, so during the first week the three of us went to visit my aunt (another octogenarian pictured here with my mother). At that time Ros lived in a house in Surrey, but she has now (courageously I think) moved to a bungalow in East Sussex, where I plan to visit her next year, hopefully with Dott.

It was definitely not a long trip to see my younger sister Marianne (right) as she lives only a few minutes drive from Mum and Dad. Annoyingly the battery in my camera expired before I could take a photo of her husband Paul. In earlier episodes I have written about my friend Dan with whom I attended school from 1958 to 1963, but Paul and I were in the same class at primary school from 1955ish to 1958! Dan is coming to Thailand in January, so I'm sure I'll have some interesting tales for you in February.

After I had spent my first week in Hatfield, my son Chris came for a meal with me and his grandparents. When he left, I went with him to his home near Bury St Edmunds, which he shares with three friends. Chris also had a list of tasks for me, the principal one of which was to design and build this shelf unit (shown left after it was complete, but before being varnished). I declined an invitation to stay for the Halloween party, which Chris attended as a very tall Elvis Presley, as he was wearing these red high-heel shoes.

Chris you should have shaved your legs, and you are far too thin to be Elvis, and what is that in your left hand? Looks like you are holding someone else's 'cigarette', 'cos I do believe you when you said you have given up smoking, so I guess the 'cigarette' belonged to the person taking the picture.

After nearly a week with Chris he took me back to Hatfield which I used as a base to go out for an evening meal with Dan, go shopping in Oxford Street, and visit friends in Brighton . Mike (sitting) and I first shared a flat in Hove in 1966, and have remained friends ever since. We both married girls named Susan, had children who have grown up, and have now reached the grandfather stage. Standing on Mike's right is one of Mike's sons-in-law, Neil. Neil is lucky enough to have a job which necessitates him visiting Thailand from time to time, so he and wife Tara (right with daughter Jasmine) come here whenever they get the opportunity. So far Jasmine has stayed home with the grandparents, but I don't think it will be too long before we see her out here too!

After just one night in Brighton, I got the train back to London and spent the day shopping in Oxford St, making my way to Waterloo in the late afternoon/early evening, in order to attend the Autumn Gathering of the Costain 21 club.  I have now lived in Thailand for more than 5 years, and my previous visits to the UK have never coincided with a club meeting, although the club does meet twice a year. It was a real pleasure to see some old faces, particularly Tony M, Jerry G, Jesse J, Chris G and John T, and to put new faces to familiar names, especially Ian H and Mike D. Sorry I didn't take any photos chaps.

By design my last complete week in UK was half-term week, so that I could spend it with my daughter and her family in Canterbury. I was very pleased that Jacq had not prepared a list of things that needed doing, but Jacq would not be pleased to see any of the photos I took of her last month, so instead I have included a picture from their wedding in 1998. Pras is from Java, and here they are wearing traditional Javanese wedding costumes. I was asked by my grand-daughters to take them some pretty dresses, so here are Chandi (left) and Anisa (right) trying them on early in the morning before Mum has had a chance to get up and brush their hair. (Too much schnu-schnu?) During my week with Jacq, my friend of some 30+ years Helen came to visit. Sorry Helen that I don't have a photo, but it was great to see you again. Chris also came to stay for a couple of days,  and we took the opportunity for a day trip to France (booze cruise) via the channel tunnel. Chris was stocking up with alcohol for the Halloween party, while I just enjoyed being in France again. The Eurotunnel service went like clockwork and in my view remains the best way to take a car to and from France. No pictures of our trip, but I did manage to get this one of Chris and Chandi sleeping one afternoon. Mind you Chandi is at that age where she can sleep anywhere as the only picture of me from my entire trip shows.

Many young children have 'comfort items' that they like to hold while they fall asleep. Both Chris and Jacq used their cot blankets in this way, but while Chris was happy with a cut-off corner, Jacq insisted on carrying the whole blanket around. Chandi's comfort item, visible in both these photos, is one of her mum's pink bras. Like Jacq used to do, Chandi does insist on taking it if she goes out, but can tire of carrying it herself. So it was one day that we went to the supermarket to do some shopping that I found myself walking round Asda with Jacq's pink bra in my hand! I wouldn't like to try to explain that one to Kent Constabulary!

While Chris was back in Bury St Edmunds enjoying his Halloween party, I had dinner with friends Mark and Linda in Canterbury. Mark and I share a passion for fine clarets, but his knowledge far exceeds my own. This passion is also shared by Kim (you remember Kim, the Danish guy, Doughnut's best friend), whose knowledge also far exceeds my own. I took my last bottle of 1994 Chateau Talbot, and as well as the food, which was delicious, Mark generously provided a 1993 Chateau Montrose for comparison.

This is not the most flattering picture of Mark. He has introduced me to some fine clarets, and it is a small consolation to me that I have introduced him and Linda to a fine sauterne. I expect to share my last bottle of 1983 Chateau Suduiraut with them on my trip to the UK next year, which may be Dott's one and only chance to taste it.

Mark and Linda's daughters Emma and Rachel do not yet share their parents love of fine wines, but I am sure that given time they will. I hope that they will all come to visit Dott and me in Thailand, where we will be able to reciprocate their generous hospitality, but sadly without the fine wines.

My week in Canterbury had flown by, and at the end of it Jacq took me back to Hatfield, where I spent the last few days with mum and Dad before coming home. I think that in my five years in Thailand, this was my ninth trip back to the UK. Without doubt this one was the best. I want to thank all my family and friends mentioned above for being a part of it and for making it so enjoyable for me.

I conclude with another picture of my granddaughters Anisa and Chandi, there is something very special about being a grandparent!

Best Wishes to all our readers Tony and Dott

 P.S. Woofs to all readers and special kisses to Kim from Doughnut

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