tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65472333236884624492024-03-05T19:38:30.999-08:00My Hobby FarmsThis has become a hobby farm. Over time, more activities has evolved and extend beyond swiftlet ranching. The theme remains centered on ecological & sustainable living.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-58810350999569915872011-08-27T11:53:00.000-07:002011-08-27T19:55:06.498-07:00On-farm ResidencesGoogle SketchUp is such a useful tool to plan and visualise the garden set-up around the residence. Bits and pieces were added to the model over time, to fine tune their dimensions and placement etc.
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<br />I've toyed with the concept of blending aquaphonics to the garden setting over the past weeks. Idea is to waters the plant wall and vegies from the fish pond.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnlEl8wey6-JCzz4wKoHYehv6JLaLGtloBvdKSsYAk2k6eglKZWbeJed0zS9BQlGB2qTmE2RJ6UQtl_KP0OVHrw5uN_93M_hh1zRjO6hBP0O7c27lrEdop9sZ6_TLW7wXlfgRkrf0_bs/s1600/Aquaponics+Plant+Wall.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnlEl8wey6-JCzz4wKoHYehv6JLaLGtloBvdKSsYAk2k6eglKZWbeJed0zS9BQlGB2qTmE2RJ6UQtl_KP0OVHrw5uN_93M_hh1zRjO6hBP0O7c27lrEdop9sZ6_TLW7wXlfgRkrf0_bs/s320/Aquaponics+Plant+Wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645729730239418162" border="0" /></a>
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<br />The other challenge is to blend function with aesthetic, like having a "Fibonacci Spiral" for my vegie plots rather than rectangular.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG_so47w05ktJdMH74RC0ZkMcEp-y53eG_C1KrQTyLwc7IrBnDXVhZfMVfFpmQwca6jlvgRIhYoiAj4yH3HujAr5kBwd0fAC4b7IynoWPwIXAJVufy2V9RSewbXAuHyzNhFsCLtI6-dc/s1600/garden+concept.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG_so47w05ktJdMH74RC0ZkMcEp-y53eG_C1KrQTyLwc7IrBnDXVhZfMVfFpmQwca6jlvgRIhYoiAj4yH3HujAr5kBwd0fAC4b7IynoWPwIXAJVufy2V9RSewbXAuHyzNhFsCLtI6-dc/s320/garden+concept.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645611352515243602" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Think the "tunnel walkway" better serves as shaded car park with climbing vegie such as bitter gourd. Rotating the model to get another perspective...
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMIdtmq5KYUUIvO2VCzBYEokjsDdk2tme2DKzFSqqtQxe0X9_g9N8Nr5lToAw-rmIKI7ssl1EVWL_8rr-mtDhAsFOrSRiEfKweG_tZtk8TBN4GpVH3-U8Ly14RBbYus9MRzcqliNy6t8/s1600/Farm+residence+-+Aug+2011.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMIdtmq5KYUUIvO2VCzBYEokjsDdk2tme2DKzFSqqtQxe0X9_g9N8Nr5lToAw-rmIKI7ssl1EVWL_8rr-mtDhAsFOrSRiEfKweG_tZtk8TBN4GpVH3-U8Ly14RBbYus9MRzcqliNy6t8/s320/Farm+residence+-+Aug+2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645729731712225586" border="0" /></a>
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<br />With all the essential infra-structures in place, I have also conceptualized how the farm would accomodate a few more residences in future. This is how it would be like...
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1dN-SfeNEyyskGe4faXhSbsRhxo8eimUrSMQiiC61MW8jp6q1e4gcMOQ1wUfqGGVolHSF_m2JezWvtmOykMTW7cZkifSZRgtWf2fJbyVX-vt8qSkNuHsYERJTQ64oagJPqM1k6jcVTk/s1600/Master+Plan+2011+Bird%2527s+eye+view.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1dN-SfeNEyyskGe4faXhSbsRhxo8eimUrSMQiiC61MW8jp6q1e4gcMOQ1wUfqGGVolHSF_m2JezWvtmOykMTW7cZkifSZRgtWf2fJbyVX-vt8qSkNuHsYERJTQ64oagJPqM1k6jcVTk/s320/Master+Plan+2011+Bird%2527s+eye+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645611360097288674" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-89378790110576357202011-07-31T04:15:00.001-07:002011-08-31T19:07:06.558-07:00A lazy Sunday morningWhat else better to do than to laze in bed on a wet Sunday morning, until someone called me out.. It was Chang Noi seeking permission to fish. He is back to build a new bird house nearby and extends him an open invitation to fish at my farm.
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<br />He is not alone but with his gang of workers. All ready with their nets and gears.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xksqSQINH8tDx3CnxwwyLC26svaQQ5FkfNrRyeGl727AH_canengYP-7seaLMpObjzgYh5g3BHMmtr59oyZlU4wQI9poR_Sm8_spkCuGnjMljfBTpy6vGFp5HlH-22O-xHSne_GQtZY/s1600/DSC00861.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xksqSQINH8tDx3CnxwwyLC26svaQQ5FkfNrRyeGl727AH_canengYP-7seaLMpObjzgYh5g3BHMmtr59oyZlU4wQI9poR_Sm8_spkCuGnjMljfBTpy6vGFp5HlH-22O-xHSne_GQtZY/s320/DSC00861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635474863450344306" border="0" /></a>
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<br />It was interesting to watch their team work in action. First several nets were set up at various strategic spots. Then the men went in to waist deep water and rattled the water below surface with a bamboo mounted clapper. Frightened fishes dashed about and got trapped by the nets.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGK4zjkW72d76xMru6jzQNfFqVTT4x9G1zYHCaP7FzBGdhr45QJDUQ4Vxuu_eqPZ9owOb2slwm_JfDfry6VeJViwn_DhRygSPARRsUt1rZuJHvoHReO6vDRazvTtrg3LbGhGPAOKU8kI/s1600/DSC00862.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGK4zjkW72d76xMru6jzQNfFqVTT4x9G1zYHCaP7FzBGdhr45QJDUQ4Vxuu_eqPZ9owOb2slwm_JfDfry6VeJViwn_DhRygSPARRsUt1rZuJHvoHReO6vDRazvTtrg3LbGhGPAOKU8kI/s320/DSC00862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635474868122002002" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Simple strategy that works.. doesn't take long to haul up the catches.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipu8UCjCg4ALhMzvm-xW1D_7OjskcAVRPJgXvD47eZ-Q57_V4fHZYkp0PsyEMsUEC47cT8wbZXUdsd8OJ0sNb88b9MIs7wvNlQaqc0jayC6f8UgshCFfBIW6o_vHBzzo4XZWeymaaEWKc/s1600/DSC00863.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipu8UCjCg4ALhMzvm-xW1D_7OjskcAVRPJgXvD47eZ-Q57_V4fHZYkp0PsyEMsUEC47cT8wbZXUdsd8OJ0sNb88b9MIs7wvNlQaqc0jayC6f8UgshCFfBIW6o_vHBzzo4XZWeymaaEWKc/s320/DSC00863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635474871108130354" border="0" /></a>
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<br />The Tilapia fries released last year have grown to adult size.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cfG7r0cpugawnr1gGCchARxs-797S7CEVI7O604fg9bjJAgHXuxXpK1dgZN14umFK56LtkFr5YPpi9Y3feOFnzEthB_N3nhcMbKVHFsNNV1uRRLAEjecuf7e6Ai25ACRDddPBpvVRKE/s1600/DSC00865.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cfG7r0cpugawnr1gGCchARxs-797S7CEVI7O604fg9bjJAgHXuxXpK1dgZN14umFK56LtkFr5YPpi9Y3feOFnzEthB_N3nhcMbKVHFsNNV1uRRLAEjecuf7e6Ai25ACRDddPBpvVRKE/s320/DSC00865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635474876630623890" border="0" /></a>
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<br />It's more fun catching your diner than buying from the market.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-44838420310564484302011-07-30T23:20:00.000-07:002011-07-31T03:55:19.838-07:00Bird House as seen on Google Earth!A friend just informed that my bird house can now be seen on Google Earth.<br /><br />Well, that's nice to know and a quick check on it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZNI04knpAzaLWTQ2a3E8hM85zhnfhCANRykNypDDLb7-g-2hqVX5Cyx5WzRQ0JtxsjMAfXVdpJdzEZ3136ehSgLn-P_777fwQafGeHGRHrU6dzJAQhg5BL7jWS9JrM1HwBg69xMjfl0/s1600/BH+on+Google+Earth.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZNI04knpAzaLWTQ2a3E8hM85zhnfhCANRykNypDDLb7-g-2hqVX5Cyx5WzRQ0JtxsjMAfXVdpJdzEZ3136ehSgLn-P_777fwQafGeHGRHrU6dzJAQhg5BL7jWS9JrM1HwBg69xMjfl0/s320/BH+on+Google+Earth.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635397641904335346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The image was dated on 22nd May 2010, not long after construction was completed.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-32512757935697893102011-07-28T20:24:00.000-07:002011-07-29T01:30:17.109-07:00Some New CompanionsI were not alone making the best out of the living space.<br /><br />What has become of my security light! Just before wiring is completed & without the glass shade in place, some little birds worked faster than me!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyd8ugpVDPqovYYXbd5xmhWb3TlDgWs2LUFXvVZPf76F8E3WA7semZ0eVvchXGs4rYC39lEBi8SvuXwIzdfsFF8FS5yqktXxpm_9nlx0tBzlQJR12CW7_FgC4dMz2Itv5V6c1c3Wbydo/s1600/DSC00812.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyd8ugpVDPqovYYXbd5xmhWb3TlDgWs2LUFXvVZPf76F8E3WA7semZ0eVvchXGs4rYC39lEBi8SvuXwIzdfsFF8FS5yqktXxpm_9nlx0tBzlQJR12CW7_FgC4dMz2Itv5V6c1c3Wbydo/s320/DSC00812.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634612654888545394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />These are the new residents. It was simply amusing to watch them shuttling back and forth picking straws and beat me to it. Accept them as my new companions, what else can I do?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZC_VHiIhBYo6lv-UKuDbxCuCPJSGkmdz9wNYrmJ7qKmzmFfFEL-3Ys5cw4bjzpqYvJVrO0ECG13Hnay9d5d6bXFakxQPRKm0KQn_u9ICUfwH3_TPkWEwtaOUYsLDbWS8TcJaecivsiM/s1600/DSC00813.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZC_VHiIhBYo6lv-UKuDbxCuCPJSGkmdz9wNYrmJ7qKmzmFfFEL-3Ys5cw4bjzpqYvJVrO0ECG13Hnay9d5d6bXFakxQPRKm0KQn_u9ICUfwH3_TPkWEwtaOUYsLDbWS8TcJaecivsiM/s320/DSC00813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634612661327422386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yes, I have a 'birdie' tap to match. How about that?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19u60aLgmcbzpKYvT-pStKnawPnqxiTlE5S34PNxIdRHXDAVSAGT9JJgncyhu1sLh8VZ41U6U25Df6iEfuaVEyZvuzOD7_j9RYliPWFVvt5T_VGDh8Le_vp-gs2Rkm0rErI07rIo5rI0/s1600/DSC00858.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19u60aLgmcbzpKYvT-pStKnawPnqxiTlE5S34PNxIdRHXDAVSAGT9JJgncyhu1sLh8VZ41U6U25Df6iEfuaVEyZvuzOD7_j9RYliPWFVvt5T_VGDh8Le_vp-gs2Rkm0rErI07rIo5rI0/s320/DSC00858.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634631640316312082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Entrance to their 'apartment'<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzxqlO32qhh9vDvSRsLTTvhqREIl_3IzHUIafAJDAsnYPBREL5EkZy5x19qymNV_GpdP_8qkdfrpNbOb_2kuo1S_0o-ITiPxYnarD-i6DM29NEpZ7Oa5xOsZDrDWQPXWeTrmG29FKkbk/s1600/DSC00815.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzxqlO32qhh9vDvSRsLTTvhqREIl_3IzHUIafAJDAsnYPBREL5EkZy5x19qymNV_GpdP_8qkdfrpNbOb_2kuo1S_0o-ITiPxYnarD-i6DM29NEpZ7Oa5xOsZDrDWQPXWeTrmG29FKkbk/s320/DSC00815.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634612666987571138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />At the back yard, a new colony of weaver birds chose to be neighbours too. 3 nests are getting into shape.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTARmxY1HYWLC45rIOyPYd72mWKGI1TdnVrK24gq8J3Az6pf7c4ydmP0_bP8hLwBSidiBoBfAEf1Dh330PGB27I7Ja47hLstAJq8OWU9uTAiSsHxXRNOgb0fmtlte5kd2hyphenhyphenuQsWNerBWs/s1600/DSC00855.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTARmxY1HYWLC45rIOyPYd72mWKGI1TdnVrK24gq8J3Az6pf7c4ydmP0_bP8hLwBSidiBoBfAEf1Dh330PGB27I7Ja47hLstAJq8OWU9uTAiSsHxXRNOgb0fmtlte5kd2hyphenhyphenuQsWNerBWs/s320/DSC00855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634611635977644066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The greenish tint shows fresh straws being used.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiurtTFIVFXS7K212Lu-VghKSYABgp9nnh0crVcTTyz4mMD8vXHZq3s9vJp4kLw4_dVaE9ncat26Wi1jBo76K5A1Ur6aLDVKZADoRDvC_xGCWmaL_ig76zchi9-VXeQ_DigSC8ISh4G6c/s1600/DSC00854.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiurtTFIVFXS7K212Lu-VghKSYABgp9nnh0crVcTTyz4mMD8vXHZq3s9vJp4kLw4_dVaE9ncat26Wi1jBo76K5A1Ur6aLDVKZADoRDvC_xGCWmaL_ig76zchi9-VXeQ_DigSC8ISh4G6c/s320/DSC00854.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634611630713726418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Viewing them from the living room and...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vAs4B6OnD68DSlZ7VNLB7FYiOL0SVDXi6r-lOHPO7zAqpCXk2bdvQpP7bM8I9S2EPENvIY3DeuFjBW9i4Xgoq0331vlC_s_4EcR5gLazSdb314ZS28Tb2Qjg6HocLXhSkj5oA5-lhMA/s1600/DSC00841.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vAs4B6OnD68DSlZ7VNLB7FYiOL0SVDXi6r-lOHPO7zAqpCXk2bdvQpP7bM8I9S2EPENvIY3DeuFjBW9i4Xgoq0331vlC_s_4EcR5gLazSdb314ZS28Tb2Qjg6HocLXhSkj5oA5-lhMA/s320/DSC00841.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634662177383293810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />... through the bath window too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHmr0kKYBkqLGhsxDOxM8pAJR8aTLPCIP-DCS2COX6dJbVY86VoMsQ0M_a7Qo4Jw65g9eUUcD6Okq4zEtygFbdhBNd865a8WA64Xmk0wWZrldCDhn8vHiMs4QOqgMMnO1HBv365tKRj4/s1600/DSC00852.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHmr0kKYBkqLGhsxDOxM8pAJR8aTLPCIP-DCS2COX6dJbVY86VoMsQ0M_a7Qo4Jw65g9eUUcD6Okq4zEtygFbdhBNd865a8WA64Xmk0wWZrldCDhn8vHiMs4QOqgMMnO1HBv365tKRj4/s320/DSC00852.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634611638950366066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The two higher nests are well camouflage by the foliage. Oops.. the window pane needs cleaning.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpF1YBLXrZtgF0q2_tak2IsiGwLGVtSPOMTQiAwQ0cC-9xeHcAzx6Zz5QJQHmarUnM0PhEEB4oIJUxYQn9Bc6qMhf7mV3c8mISvAjDMIXMvKTJgb_j-8roSAg0a1_zt-DOxS0xLvLoWFs/s1600/DSC00849.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpF1YBLXrZtgF0q2_tak2IsiGwLGVtSPOMTQiAwQ0cC-9xeHcAzx6Zz5QJQHmarUnM0PhEEB4oIJUxYQn9Bc6qMhf7mV3c8mISvAjDMIXMvKTJgb_j-8roSAg0a1_zt-DOxS0xLvLoWFs/s320/DSC00849.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634625022964110338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />While a full view to the third nest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUURCTU0zJIC8lYRoWu-r0501v6rIVHdKeFJdwY-KxujxW4gerQEhicosxeT3MzFdZFS44Aj0oW90qW0VLHa51vNGNATZSkJR67ZVGjKhSn2crqKGRYGiIvS9N659fPmw2zJ32UHAiWQ/s1600/DSC00857.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUURCTU0zJIC8lYRoWu-r0501v6rIVHdKeFJdwY-KxujxW4gerQEhicosxeT3MzFdZFS44Aj0oW90qW0VLHa51vNGNATZSkJR67ZVGjKhSn2crqKGRYGiIvS9N659fPmw2zJ32UHAiWQ/s320/DSC00857.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634625027056977842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So close to view, I watch their building progress daily and learn a bit more about their behavior. Their preferred nesting spots are over water providing security to safeguard their young.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-64711276389243024972011-07-28T19:37:00.001-07:002011-07-29T01:44:03.748-07:00An Awesome DayThe view to wake up to each morning - overlooking the garden pond and the simple pleasure feeding the Kois in there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBmExz2QGnQFqqPeLI_nwLQBP1zAWS3viSHNLpvUH8N_9AJZCfxjmcizjS607n1WK5-dQ-WQe92qjTAG4y-yA1FTTSj1XZPawziOLutGjWs7smYyP9Wxc27wFKUPzriMl9Upl5_Qn34Q/s1600/DSC00810.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBmExz2QGnQFqqPeLI_nwLQBP1zAWS3viSHNLpvUH8N_9AJZCfxjmcizjS607n1WK5-dQ-WQe92qjTAG4y-yA1FTTSj1XZPawziOLutGjWs7smYyP9Wxc27wFKUPzriMl9Upl5_Qn34Q/s320/DSC00810.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634599089908058466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Presence of wood is prominent in my living space.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbZFbLQ_2o-ZGCIQaq6QKA2e0nVh3epl7OuZ994FBcbsoMZkely3mWrYU8zBX3qVU1_k67ouz9w7YCgqzVyaEvedJBTxVZ4Kw2R9QldhJxoP_EHLfVg2lrmhOePhYt60MoRzp-or2nTE/s1600/DSC00856.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbZFbLQ_2o-ZGCIQaq6QKA2e0nVh3epl7OuZ994FBcbsoMZkely3mWrYU8zBX3qVU1_k67ouz9w7YCgqzVyaEvedJBTxVZ4Kw2R9QldhJxoP_EHLfVg2lrmhOePhYt60MoRzp-or2nTE/s320/DSC00856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634604822274057842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Change of weather invoked a sense of awe with an approaching storm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vBcW0-pI8EGQ6BtyfA_65HBmTXD_0NvHTKiOkw3j48uJBQHjleIF7oWZMjHhcMtOeTpg5J9SOF_GPtOMhlY5W78JzTU39-Z7uxOztG-4nZbm9fZl0JlcxqxaHEox0EN9pcQOvWplua8/s1600/DSC00802.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vBcW0-pI8EGQ6BtyfA_65HBmTXD_0NvHTKiOkw3j48uJBQHjleIF7oWZMjHhcMtOeTpg5J9SOF_GPtOMhlY5W78JzTU39-Z7uxOztG-4nZbm9fZl0JlcxqxaHEox0EN9pcQOvWplua8/s320/DSC00802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634599077026331986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ripples broke the calm of pond as forces of nature unleashed itself.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hc5X2y8DbXccL6R2K2gnrqPtiWo4Rm0QrYeZBxz4vmAGKPYmugENt1Iis9pL6vMqV04fzIFdyRuPERayYs1KvIhbg5bMrEPBK0eEzhyhUJdDYCGsxO077bM51C24nJruJNFY8oHP-ko/s1600/DSC00803.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hc5X2y8DbXccL6R2K2gnrqPtiWo4Rm0QrYeZBxz4vmAGKPYmugENt1Iis9pL6vMqV04fzIFdyRuPERayYs1KvIhbg5bMrEPBK0eEzhyhUJdDYCGsxO077bM51C24nJruJNFY8oHP-ko/s320/DSC00803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634599078048429906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />An illusion of the tree growing out of the fountain pot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkBAkx2c5czw8dwNaaiSuqd0qyBEJ8XDxlTafw2CuLrwOgsOk5WwWA8qljWCy-w_zJIezt_Y5zZ9kViysznQgJRNFr36YI2zMfDXrnYcD243XSbTGZkYOsGjm4Sc2bWOWg_h_qZk6yaM/s1600/DSC00804.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkBAkx2c5czw8dwNaaiSuqd0qyBEJ8XDxlTafw2CuLrwOgsOk5WwWA8qljWCy-w_zJIezt_Y5zZ9kViysznQgJRNFr36YI2zMfDXrnYcD243XSbTGZkYOsGjm4Sc2bWOWg_h_qZk6yaM/s320/DSC00804.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634599083606354706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Everything faded into a blury shade when rains arrived finally.. it's simply awesome to experience it all in solitute here!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93DqjdfHFJxaPsr4R_c553XXXp9sEovGP1Y3JceJ_cu-HTikZV2hr0piZAp169oyvzNIdmn71WajxLqYXPwsT-5_RuwH8_9oGu2F2wnbK-9BR-juDcvGPEvl0TWRK2yH0ITEhcmmBVBk/s1600/DSC00859.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93DqjdfHFJxaPsr4R_c553XXXp9sEovGP1Y3JceJ_cu-HTikZV2hr0piZAp169oyvzNIdmn71WajxLqYXPwsT-5_RuwH8_9oGu2F2wnbK-9BR-juDcvGPEvl0TWRK2yH0ITEhcmmBVBk/s320/DSC00859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634690684912523986" border="0" /></a>Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-24831504458366731232011-07-28T10:22:00.000-07:002011-07-29T04:58:07.346-07:00New GatesThe entrance gates fell apart recently due to inadequate voltage leading to weak welding joints. Electrical overloading often results in 10% drop to incoming mains voltage. The 800m long electric line into the farm adds further to the problem. So it is only a matter of time.<br /><br />The main entrance being fixed once and for all with an auto gate along with side walls.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFqC7uJxYxPSPHXJfyTnMiMa-xr9kHKIbFk5P38Q2vlFOOt4gY2DxjiFupKAOyZqMr-RozZ3MBTLdF4XElvKH7EXI_fBL50DBsBUH9YomBkH3ouQQhc4eLROoIVpeKfqzgdtBwOSBeA0/s1600/DSC00846.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFqC7uJxYxPSPHXJfyTnMiMa-xr9kHKIbFk5P38Q2vlFOOt4gY2DxjiFupKAOyZqMr-RozZ3MBTLdF4XElvKH7EXI_fBL50DBsBUH9YomBkH3ouQQhc4eLROoIVpeKfqzgdtBwOSBeA0/s320/DSC00846.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634588393246499890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Just a bit more concrete to cover the guide rail.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmoE7VNBZHKo7F2j4FudGcL5MJcXO-uPz2pSjS_mc0tvrQNsE-ilPqGXuUHqeynDp-_IX-FNwg49HSgI_Fg5xYCV5TetMhEoGrmQ145KST9JfTRLJeGRk3Q64fkefCbdHD24I9Eg6L34/s1600/DSC00844.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmoE7VNBZHKo7F2j4FudGcL5MJcXO-uPz2pSjS_mc0tvrQNsE-ilPqGXuUHqeynDp-_IX-FNwg49HSgI_Fg5xYCV5TetMhEoGrmQ145KST9JfTRLJeGRk3Q64fkefCbdHD24I9Eg6L34/s320/DSC00844.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634588399368592034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A second swing gate to fix as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxI9MdsF28d_xYJ-yfYMrTN7flalbfnhH88YyOkbmtChdLU_1nLV7pfq_6R4XT_4pnCfMHvEdWbaWczVyl0wM0Jya5knJd6QyCPDrmlewduYMSuxqulhOJepFKBf6KtDk20XIuuZ6fhs/s1600/DSC00848.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxI9MdsF28d_xYJ-yfYMrTN7flalbfnhH88YyOkbmtChdLU_1nLV7pfq_6R4XT_4pnCfMHvEdWbaWczVyl0wM0Jya5knJd6QyCPDrmlewduYMSuxqulhOJepFKBf6KtDk20XIuuZ6fhs/s320/DSC00848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634588390776764674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Leaving the gates open for days was invitation to grazing cows.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgTAui4nDN3J8opGcrGN1FOYT6RN7zZzjUGv0fdB0i9b59H1KwlyElv38E8DTXde_VjM9oPKua0Tj6eka_jAtVQAzBO0ck4kSQhhTS2WnQYgB5pMKwi3XeFH0M368f4UYjfJMUjLepBo/s1600/DSC00805.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgTAui4nDN3J8opGcrGN1FOYT6RN7zZzjUGv0fdB0i9b59H1KwlyElv38E8DTXde_VjM9oPKua0Tj6eka_jAtVQAzBO0ck4kSQhhTS2WnQYgB5pMKwi3XeFH0M368f4UYjfJMUjLepBo/s320/DSC00805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634457673269896162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One entry led to the entire herd..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRbGEIlg73B9ZNyxD_r9a8vRSm8WIYLZ8PS5hDxidGt2VKedRMu4W5_QK1fsk0nyfAfKf8GtfrVBWk-mBwUhc1T-M0jI-68Upqh03XYgOvA9xcD6pIkbt3T3kyL43iRzLNNimtVLODTs/s1600/DSC00800.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRbGEIlg73B9ZNyxD_r9a8vRSm8WIYLZ8PS5hDxidGt2VKedRMu4W5_QK1fsk0nyfAfKf8GtfrVBWk-mBwUhc1T-M0jI-68Upqh03XYgOvA9xcD6pIkbt3T3kyL43iRzLNNimtVLODTs/s320/DSC00800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634457666770027938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It's OK and I don't mind.. they did left some cow dungs behind as fertilizers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYF1gkTfyC-BKJP9ezwg8dItDFnegcSAUYUI4w1lM6Y8VM-Mp-FUB5XXlsXoR0IxdUD8osMkErRL6ugh7ghfNiSdz252-aRg9ivSMsO_tf-_3xrwSZk0BTCK4nw8rovvafNt4DX-fprg/s1600/DSC00798.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYF1gkTfyC-BKJP9ezwg8dItDFnegcSAUYUI4w1lM6Y8VM-Mp-FUB5XXlsXoR0IxdUD8osMkErRL6ugh7ghfNiSdz252-aRg9ivSMsO_tf-_3xrwSZk0BTCK4nw8rovvafNt4DX-fprg/s320/DSC00798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634457662641197250" border="0" /></a>Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-466322915633501852011-06-28T23:23:00.000-07:002011-06-29T07:32:41.752-07:00An Open GardenI am pretty much settled-in by now, though there are still plenty bit and pieces around to fix.<br /><br />Got to move onto the garden next. The idea is to blend in with wide open space around. Not an easy task for me with little experience.<br /><br />Not one with green fingers, I do enjoy putting various ideas together. Progress was often interrupted by the weather lately. I am not complaining as change of ambience with rains is very pleasant too.<br /><br />A couple more ideas cropped up along the way, adding a "Tunnel walkway" towards the house seem a pretty cool idea!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMRS1WiDFk8eszfjaI3qsfNV_CtYbYDHFuxQY3NodtOWrMgqM3BG_F8Ovi3J6dlY7c1MG6SBteeQD_dF4hLAf0cIkaC0yeA9bDqDMLBMQMdvCB4vM_iR6HeXMpBwbtGYT2FMkes3qu6U/s1600/Guest+House+-+walk-in+view+4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMRS1WiDFk8eszfjaI3qsfNV_CtYbYDHFuxQY3NodtOWrMgqM3BG_F8Ovi3J6dlY7c1MG6SBteeQD_dF4hLAf0cIkaC0yeA9bDqDMLBMQMdvCB4vM_iR6HeXMpBwbtGYT2FMkes3qu6U/s320/Guest+House+-+walk-in+view+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623524099016663362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Completed the flowers bed today and wonderful sunset view from here.. err.. just no today!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYXLyinXTEGlJNHohZDyo0spYitcSBZn6Z1gvyk5XUcuV783QNNlCkJW9DVapjzC458n7hx7qJnx7yCVZuT1-CwKPvfNiQzuciEzmyuNcGA3uD3-NvNTVtL2ZYFVzC21h0aHAASKVwiI/s1600/DSC00797.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYXLyinXTEGlJNHohZDyo0spYitcSBZn6Z1gvyk5XUcuV783QNNlCkJW9DVapjzC458n7hx7qJnx7yCVZuT1-CwKPvfNiQzuciEzmyuNcGA3uD3-NvNTVtL2ZYFVzC21h0aHAASKVwiI/s320/DSC00797.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623642050424746562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />With the flowers in should be charming.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituOV4n0R8nXHzCjOw1uvALwsdgHZfpmI4gQ-nifFdLdvlP1tNCivRS4fc205kuOYYPdjH_ZImMpSxPIT2IuP7kAd9oByLRYusK8ljrNWBqq0iOIs65VKkCzYhKu2Ni6O7WgvHTAcYVDE/s1600/Guest+House+-+hanging+flowers.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituOV4n0R8nXHzCjOw1uvALwsdgHZfpmI4gQ-nifFdLdvlP1tNCivRS4fc205kuOYYPdjH_ZImMpSxPIT2IuP7kAd9oByLRYusK8ljrNWBqq0iOIs65VKkCzYhKu2Ni6O7WgvHTAcYVDE/s320/Guest+House+-+hanging+flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623643183600464738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This pair of Goldfishes was chosen by my daughter, quite appropriate to fix it close to the fish pond.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3TS9RgBMjorx3RhU0qMqcgxsztD5kWI__XgmuR5aUU1BU0yyGbkqiCOZXDPkd7Q3B5rlMgmfLYuOSCg6Y6dr7WCk4jYIX_eeMdkJ4ZAoknJqSwSAe0XboC6mX8pMNy2YCrGdAsPjxG0/s1600/DSC00794.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3TS9RgBMjorx3RhU0qMqcgxsztD5kWI__XgmuR5aUU1BU0yyGbkqiCOZXDPkd7Q3B5rlMgmfLYuOSCg6Y6dr7WCk4jYIX_eeMdkJ4ZAoknJqSwSAe0XboC6mX8pMNy2YCrGdAsPjxG0/s320/DSC00794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623642421324732562" border="0" /></a>Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-72943029045345398882011-06-20T22:19:00.000-07:002011-06-20T22:27:26.801-07:00Weaver Bird colony @ my farmOf late, the weaver birds colony is flourishing well too. Several new nests are in various stage of building. This part of the farm is a sanctuary to these birds and shall continue to be so. Watching them grow is pretty satisfying!<br /><br />It is a hive of activities in early morning and evening hours.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtV7vhaVxpFwabkjF0wJj9_C1cnGCFnZcfwloct9HiabxFCAGSqx-2rF8DuHAnn_nz8sIxHue5Tb0xEi5Zg0ET9tFwZ1Noeoom3q4DCyA1w8Q7Ez2DaTtsY4ZCKvNJFOEh58xKH4C3vg/s1600/DSC00790.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtV7vhaVxpFwabkjF0wJj9_C1cnGCFnZcfwloct9HiabxFCAGSqx-2rF8DuHAnn_nz8sIxHue5Tb0xEi5Zg0ET9tFwZ1Noeoom3q4DCyA1w8Q7Ez2DaTtsY4ZCKvNJFOEh58xKH4C3vg/s320/DSC00790.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620538500958800306" border="0" /></a>Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-62086215130192575962011-06-15T04:05:00.000-07:002011-06-15T06:05:03.218-07:00The Insects PondWhen I began designing the bird house, one thought was an indoor insect breeding program. I haven't done much in that direction so far.<br /><br />What I realize later is the bigger feeding potential around the bird house, i.e. the external environment, often noticed swiftlets flew over the pond below the bird house to feed. That serves as insect breeding ground too. Isn't that a bonus!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzAGbZtGJpfPm3FZfOfO4jSx30AZjiU4DPVSqLAtECopnhpDFvdRvOXzxYJhxG2Z1UiRkS63gOMmThBprNtbTH80SOWzTEqlp-hJDxB1x-C3k1zuyUQ6UpCAkL0lZmBAgH5pHaFHUj5U/s1600/DSC00760.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzAGbZtGJpfPm3FZfOfO4jSx30AZjiU4DPVSqLAtECopnhpDFvdRvOXzxYJhxG2Z1UiRkS63gOMmThBprNtbTH80SOWzTEqlp-hJDxB1x-C3k1zuyUQ6UpCAkL0lZmBAgH5pHaFHUj5U/s320/DSC00760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618401627012443474" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />While looking out of window and saw swiftlets flying low.. I know they are feeding over the pond again... so hurried out with camera to capture a video clip this time.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Fxq7eHdHreA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><br />The wet season has also arrived. A storm is fast approaching from the west. A few short steps back indoors again. It's nice to have a shelter at the farm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGPJWKMUcA5pR_zOISo143eZcTVG1s62K0CG6lHxwiY6r0w0_DZd1HlaWe3E4jom135878eif9erFvPl8raz0H94chvzWyVqnX5TKsncew9m7mrW5X-h4bGAoC3q5Q8uUvQiwWUypWao/s1600/DSC00762.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGPJWKMUcA5pR_zOISo143eZcTVG1s62K0CG6lHxwiY6r0w0_DZd1HlaWe3E4jom135878eif9erFvPl8raz0H94chvzWyVqnX5TKsncew9m7mrW5X-h4bGAoC3q5Q8uUvQiwWUypWao/s320/DSC00762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618401631530384322" border="0" /></a>Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-52673808158010031572011-06-15T01:35:00.000-07:002011-06-15T06:28:19.230-07:00Wireless Internet Access at the FarmGot to be in blogging mood today!<br /><br />Surely I need internet access at the farm. Good there is a wireless base station nearby.. Wi-Max technology I suppose.<br /><br />Antenna installed atop bird house roof with line of sight to base station. From here a wireless hub links to the residence. The camera system would also be connected for remote surveillance via internet while away.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHJqNfwWwBiLJWla2BD0N-_tZ9V41Zn5eVP2CAAxY1LuOl2YQr7Dm67oWoIIvpFyuU3o0hcADQB1pLaiqVTuZkoOtNKPYLZtLlfyZlHRuZtmHEnnOKT1rsIseqx5TT_JDu6erH5d2_YU/s1600/DSC00758.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHJqNfwWwBiLJWla2BD0N-_tZ9V41Zn5eVP2CAAxY1LuOl2YQr7Dm67oWoIIvpFyuU3o0hcADQB1pLaiqVTuZkoOtNKPYLZtLlfyZlHRuZtmHEnnOKT1rsIseqx5TT_JDu6erH5d2_YU/s320/DSC00758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618363090978825522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Can't resist taking shots of views below<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSERQbif5O0_t0vJfSewgvQQX3pQJuoN5bjUN0Q_BX_q9yihQJZyYDPd6d_i3XYgUMU7__FqvyebT7UxX7RzPs89YTD-FztVinclEuBOjWTjZF0OpCb_vHg01vKpvzYbbIH-vADlCW7Vg/s1600/DSC00756.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSERQbif5O0_t0vJfSewgvQQX3pQJuoN5bjUN0Q_BX_q9yihQJZyYDPd6d_i3XYgUMU7__FqvyebT7UxX7RzPs89YTD-FztVinclEuBOjWTjZF0OpCb_vHg01vKpvzYbbIH-vADlCW7Vg/s320/DSC00756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618363081880012242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />& compare with scene taken a year ago just after workers vacated, an improvement eh!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wcZFeyPvwwbNwa7-WvxwyIyezMrE5bYZ1_Ci4C5CA2Go5VC8jRW9yMVOYIwGI96Cn6ztLyhAITELUF9NQOUIGdFkiXPBv6bBCRm7uCE5-kg9VFf5aPGsy4hdDD6FFriclZhyphenhyphen9bQXVvo/s1600-h/DSCN5470.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wcZFeyPvwwbNwa7-WvxwyIyezMrE5bYZ1_Ci4C5CA2Go5VC8jRW9yMVOYIwGI96Cn6ztLyhAITELUF9NQOUIGdFkiXPBv6bBCRm7uCE5-kg9VFf5aPGsy4hdDD6FFriclZhyphenhyphen9bQXVvo/s320/DSCN5470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449167023787020098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Panoramic view taken with Sony Nex-5, just aim and shoot.. the camera takes care of the rest, no need for photo stitching software. A cool and nice feature with less optical distortion too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPV4_NWw61HN36bv9JhSXqku4qerVidWJCJb4rtrzSFyOjxe_bVcvWNXlWNOGsQmwC_PgRjfsvqiDaf4yOhwQiE86RY-FPXVqV2lAP7QdQ9X9K6-C_I9zioCznJrK9r-l18LPu5Quu80/s1600/DSC00757.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 72px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPV4_NWw61HN36bv9JhSXqku4qerVidWJCJb4rtrzSFyOjxe_bVcvWNXlWNOGsQmwC_PgRjfsvqiDaf4yOhwQiE86RY-FPXVqV2lAP7QdQ9X9K6-C_I9zioCznJrK9r-l18LPu5Quu80/s320/DSC00757.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618363075996654498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Almost forgotten to mention the pair of geckos tracked down a month ago. They have taken residence nearby too, rather discomfort to hear them calling during evenings. Many commented these are highly sought after for medicinal values. If only I know better, would get them alive instead.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH5VkYuFhCRQJM6OjaZj-j3xdczl96fb9k-5LHLz5wlWAjM3AFhzW24KH6P-aqqert-zDeIkx17hsYI6RjoCtja5tYTsKN0UMI5LfuNX3of7gj3Cg2QuYMhHrsmr-ojXGNw8qeJ5ggRU/s1600/Geckos+%25281%2529.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH5VkYuFhCRQJM6OjaZj-j3xdczl96fb9k-5LHLz5wlWAjM3AFhzW24KH6P-aqqert-zDeIkx17hsYI6RjoCtja5tYTsKN0UMI5LfuNX3of7gj3Cg2QuYMhHrsmr-ojXGNw8qeJ5ggRU/s320/Geckos+%25281%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618386373215169874" border="0" /></a>Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-50266505157940414262011-06-14T23:38:00.000-07:002011-06-15T00:14:51.855-07:00Peeks into work in progressTaking shape slowly but surely... a bit messy at the moment<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LYG7PwzHfIqO1Lh0G8QSEVk2HRssRknA0YmklEde1ScXk0cTKyitw7fwRGTI_OqyY7YFQ985n418j-C-XVj11U3eRmmEOTOuUbKrBY_cQP3LQb3VZEPdHShLhKMI4o47L6Ypu5CelFQ/s1600/DSC00751.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LYG7PwzHfIqO1Lh0G8QSEVk2HRssRknA0YmklEde1ScXk0cTKyitw7fwRGTI_OqyY7YFQ985n418j-C-XVj11U3eRmmEOTOuUbKrBY_cQP3LQb3VZEPdHShLhKMI4o47L6Ypu5CelFQ/s320/DSC00751.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618332995942373426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Surrounding space being tiled with an open garden to be more pleasant.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDqaRqVSSghQQnLDX3VEtjjkfqI1l19QCTqNkWG4et011h1n478AQNApNx8tkbdY-I47JE0nF_CBCtsilcjkGJghaIDzAkPW4hQh8Hvmrl5WruXUFqwRAUzJN9nvGm5UNR2VvBBnm7qM/s1600/DSC00750.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDqaRqVSSghQQnLDX3VEtjjkfqI1l19QCTqNkWG4et011h1n478AQNApNx8tkbdY-I47JE0nF_CBCtsilcjkGJghaIDzAkPW4hQh8Hvmrl5WruXUFqwRAUzJN9nvGm5UNR2VvBBnm7qM/s320/DSC00750.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618332971446733426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tiling around the house is almost complete.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F3SOlYxwwThb1J2K1SncJn-bWT8LZ_i030zJ3nU8mn_El6X_T903sI0xT3jPJdK_my9mwo7op7hK9Its4bB1DNX7G_Bg3mrdsrAzCBspU1Cc1RLwnkCiFJ2hsfmoc5twAbkFbtL2MlI/s1600/DSC00752.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F3SOlYxwwThb1J2K1SncJn-bWT8LZ_i030zJ3nU8mn_El6X_T903sI0xT3jPJdK_my9mwo7op7hK9Its4bB1DNX7G_Bg3mrdsrAzCBspU1Cc1RLwnkCiFJ2hsfmoc5twAbkFbtL2MlI/s320/DSC00752.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618337892331834930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The external kitchen and washing area out of view behind the house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmt596edrybUUW55wO7P62HlpsINOf4nw583nbPKRj7tcUWL-mATq5NLJrUZR4b_D3AsZLbLHKbndS_o0ivwiiJGewo90XMyA3yrd3kSvUDtwTbyg4MCsLh_4xafussD3onzOXHZ4QAA/s1600/DSC00753.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmt596edrybUUW55wO7P62HlpsINOf4nw583nbPKRj7tcUWL-mATq5NLJrUZR4b_D3AsZLbLHKbndS_o0ivwiiJGewo90XMyA3yrd3kSvUDtwTbyg4MCsLh_4xafussD3onzOXHZ4QAA/s320/DSC00753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618332981945441746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />View to the ornamental fish pond. The Kois are doing well in there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOISj1Vzhbyg7Hos5qFfEwOd1VUBWkSo1U1tzXWbI6lLtaN9dZg0ryB4r0eSjMX3KQmz6uf3T1XcuWesKIFHz689VP6dg7iyu7QOtX-4OjeFJ7M1rNYt3sKcwyFyFVUnDaafDmRy5uqI/s1600/DSC00754.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOISj1Vzhbyg7Hos5qFfEwOd1VUBWkSo1U1tzXWbI6lLtaN9dZg0ryB4r0eSjMX3KQmz6uf3T1XcuWesKIFHz689VP6dg7iyu7QOtX-4OjeFJ7M1rNYt3sKcwyFyFVUnDaafDmRy5uqI/s320/DSC00754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618332991558063330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />What I like most is full view of the bird house from comfort of the living room.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBG3LIjobrkSHB3mdwU4H5Lq91N4-hYzU-3K9J-U0B4uV4nxDt8CJGJtJUeUwXBUIsJYjT2-VF9cOuAmoTaFMBDJJWI7suuhwDltrHprIvnfCli1sNb0riqrJTJN7hdTuOAgmjQrV2z3I/s1600/DSC00748.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBG3LIjobrkSHB3mdwU4H5Lq91N4-hYzU-3K9J-U0B4uV4nxDt8CJGJtJUeUwXBUIsJYjT2-VF9cOuAmoTaFMBDJJWI7suuhwDltrHprIvnfCli1sNb0riqrJTJN7hdTuOAgmjQrV2z3I/s320/DSC00748.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618332968711797298" border="0" /></a>Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-39707252144028796082011-06-14T22:13:00.000-07:002011-06-15T00:12:50.144-07:00Extending the rest house to a livable spaceAn event kicked me into action occurred while I was in Melbourne - received news my rented house in Thailand is to increase rent by >100%. What an opportunist? How can I swallow that! I was so adamant never to negotiate and move out asap.<br /><br />The option is to move into the farm. The rest house there has a kitchen and toilet in addition to the decent size bedroom. Can't imagine to live-in without a living room. Fortunate that I had running water connected prior to dry season.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9D5_jAU2JaiPa1QvelDdxJn4lscE0fpduLdZYwi4W2WDgIBpHgAX0aojng4jalh9VX-_nd8FBlkAXbP_HYYeHAVzGT1SU44kwVbmE6se8dSgE3Q8qYp8wSeDeopOCG7_CsiOpsiVoiZE/s1600/DSC00691.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9D5_jAU2JaiPa1QvelDdxJn4lscE0fpduLdZYwi4W2WDgIBpHgAX0aojng4jalh9VX-_nd8FBlkAXbP_HYYeHAVzGT1SU44kwVbmE6se8dSgE3Q8qYp8wSeDeopOCG7_CsiOpsiVoiZE/s320/DSC00691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618311596183055266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It was a hassle to start as labor is currently tight - workers were suppose to turn up but never did for all sorts of reasons. Not a big job perhaps but still many details to attend to.<br /><br />Converting the out door patio into a living room - only limitation is the low head room. A 15cm layer of insulation wool in ceiling to keep heat out during the day plus ample windows to ventilate.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEZBT2XTEXooicKhNRT1GCJi1t8wi3rVoTOuokh2m6K0sD7XGg0-cETrNgHzg2zuN-j2whErweMU5KiYClW9S3yQSOQM7Nk_YsqamfmBWZYjIstKLoY6SddOPpVhLtCksow-Gh3KTKDE/s1600/Extension+2011-May+%25281%2529.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEZBT2XTEXooicKhNRT1GCJi1t8wi3rVoTOuokh2m6K0sD7XGg0-cETrNgHzg2zuN-j2whErweMU5KiYClW9S3yQSOQM7Nk_YsqamfmBWZYjIstKLoY6SddOPpVhLtCksow-Gh3KTKDE/s320/Extension+2011-May+%25281%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618311611199621346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Back to some modeling with Google SketchUp - to visualize the garden layout. A minimalistic style is preferred. Well, this is what it will be like eventually. Enough to keep me busy in coming months.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJuPsfA726ije6BUh-0GAvxSmtsWT28BujMU3j-gIX3XeceswfDFq8tSRM8FQyax2ojpjumByF2G-Inq4qOmQZ5fdhuDdWaUKWd-rYZs-v-ik_zLQ2fTxrQGHd7hpYU2Kl2q4h7gWKNI/s1600/Guest+House+-+garden+view.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJuPsfA726ije6BUh-0GAvxSmtsWT28BujMU3j-gIX3XeceswfDFq8tSRM8FQyax2ojpjumByF2G-Inq4qOmQZ5fdhuDdWaUKWd-rYZs-v-ik_zLQ2fTxrQGHd7hpYU2Kl2q4h7gWKNI/s320/Guest+House+-+garden+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618327406258748882" border="0" /></a>Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-66523928844413234042011-02-25T11:30:00.000-08:002011-03-01T08:03:18.621-08:00Impact of Climate ChangeEach time a bigger storm like Cyclone Yasi unleashed itself the subject of climate change always came to mind. The caution of potential food shortage by World Bank president is no coincidence, they are inter related.<br /><br />Scientists held the view that the world is now 2 deg. C (doesn't matter if some say 1 deg. C) warmer than pre-industrial days. There is also view of carbon discharge unlikely to contain at current levels. So projections are around what the world may be like with a 4 deg. C increase.<br /><br />A video clip from National Geographic paints a possible scenario.<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/skFrR3g4BRQ" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe><br /><br /><br />The "Green House" effect of global warming.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3Sj3aL9ZoJVwPSwyf4LPqwC332ckHCMREvwvj9nzsymaJGEV0PY7e6nzUFQFb6KP9KiK3ok_BJ4Bwy8AThY8QxLi26qxFaLLKp_Zz4Vnc7kxVxfVqf-860rZgXNK7dFb9ybHYNjOoro/s1600/Green+house+effect.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3Sj3aL9ZoJVwPSwyf4LPqwC332ckHCMREvwvj9nzsymaJGEV0PY7e6nzUFQFb6KP9KiK3ok_BJ4Bwy8AThY8QxLi26qxFaLLKp_Zz4Vnc7kxVxfVqf-860rZgXNK7dFb9ybHYNjOoro/s320/Green+house+effect.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578187792057029778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Energy stored in grounds and oceans when released back into atmosphere affects climate too.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogY3ystsoZ_gFQUGpiY02wm7GhMimxKuATV4ghlKhFU116XXMDt9rGHzl8dXhyphenhyphensD_QnNWnBsH_2BgzgzwGuJJfgsggDEtEW6soydzBU3jYAWVfQFv6j96rwIcrCKJGXa01brH99GNkSg/s1600/energy_under_our_feet.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogY3ystsoZ_gFQUGpiY02wm7GhMimxKuATV4ghlKhFU116XXMDt9rGHzl8dXhyphenhyphensD_QnNWnBsH_2BgzgzwGuJJfgsggDEtEW6soydzBU3jYAWVfQFv6j96rwIcrCKJGXa01brH99GNkSg/s320/energy_under_our_feet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577723268862373394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Water stress to regions of human agriculture can be severely affected. Ever wonder impact to the habitats of the swiftlets feeding grounds?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xL44pPW6wBABDzeao-_mOl038zFjf8iI39NNhOOb3H3tLMRxSzVqMGuEEOgblHjnwuqB7FT8nKfviV4Kj-K_K6QgtyUHzWlR46dg3YxDGcSi-r4Ibw0M36vm9_wWijKS0wFgaF4qP4c/s1600/world_4deg_warmer.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xL44pPW6wBABDzeao-_mOl038zFjf8iI39NNhOOb3H3tLMRxSzVqMGuEEOgblHjnwuqB7FT8nKfviV4Kj-K_K6QgtyUHzWlR46dg3YxDGcSi-r4Ibw0M36vm9_wWijKS0wFgaF4qP4c/s320/world_4deg_warmer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577723269254823538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Civilizations collapse at 5 deg. C increase.<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7nRf2RTqANg" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Mass extinctions at 6 deg. C increase<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O8qmaAMK4cM" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe><br /><br /><br />At individual level there seem very little we can do about climate change - a sense of helplessness. Least we can do is reducing individual carbon/energy footprint to minimum and raise awareness to people around us, especially to younger generation. For it is the world they will confront into the future.<br /><br />Consolation for now is that the 4 deg. C projection is the year 2070! A worrying situation still. Of course there are some who claims this being alarmist. We may continue debate on this, will it lead to a better world without action?<br /><br />I won't be around by then, meanwhile I do find meaning engaging an eco-lifestyle on my hobby farm activities.<br /><br />Ever read how civilization on Easter Islands drove themselves to extinction by exhausting resources led to destruction of local ecology?<br /><br />It is not dooms day, I have faith in human ingenuity to face this challenge too. Hot topic in Australian politics now is "Climate change & Carbon Tax", a step in right direction. The ensuing public awareness is heartening. Wish more countries in the world do the same.<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J7ygf-puKm0" allowfullscreen="" width="640" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe><br /><br />In the Year 2525, "If man still alive". Ponder into the future with the lyrics of this 1968 hit.<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1FgSmdfRUus" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">So</span> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >are we humans too smart for our own good?</span><br /><br />Just as I finish revision to this post, results of robot marathon in Osaka hit the news. On a lighter note, if mankind drives ourselves to extinction eventually; perhaps these are the descendants that may continue life in our image :o)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY8NmOawPzdbGCI-u02qE9FHlpAfW_lhwCA_gWzHxsjqM6Zth2TzIYsEaDhyIOxAvAUQek6FTFuIpTbYl5dsh2D91fYc5TQB4QfDFnVjNmqBAlqv-rV0uzv738CuYsskS0JDM4Jx2Xdg/s1600/robot+marathon.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY8NmOawPzdbGCI-u02qE9FHlpAfW_lhwCA_gWzHxsjqM6Zth2TzIYsEaDhyIOxAvAUQek6FTFuIpTbYl5dsh2D91fYc5TQB4QfDFnVjNmqBAlqv-rV0uzv738CuYsskS0JDM4Jx2Xdg/s320/robot+marathon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578014356096347330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />LOL.. this is really funny!<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2lC956aIZWw" allowfullscreen="" width="640" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-37819516148503767492011-02-19T08:54:00.000-08:002011-02-20T19:05:33.375-08:00Rising Food Prices reaching danger point!Bangkok Post reported today on G20 meeting in Paris,<br />Quote<br />"<span style="font-weight: bold;">World Bank president Robert Zoellick warned leaders of the top global economies Saturday that the world is reaching a danger point where soaring food prices threaten further political instability.</span>" Unquote<br /><br />A rather alarming statement coming from the World Bank president on such an occasion. It reminds of global rice shortage in Mar to May of 2008, prompting some rice producing countries to restrict exports.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0VOR18wO0LOjhv2oYe89gu6hp6YJzBoBuk_d0ynGlEZn3JPP7ysZ1peVZeEp4T_kHjSxWxi9zXHpTZiPBaxvx1Gd0Vdrarj7YfkFTUCWiqf5xkj1Dch8cigIhhZSAzoxVy8Euzd7jsc/s1600/Rising+food+prices.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0VOR18wO0LOjhv2oYe89gu6hp6YJzBoBuk_d0ynGlEZn3JPP7ysZ1peVZeEp4T_kHjSxWxi9zXHpTZiPBaxvx1Gd0Vdrarj7YfkFTUCWiqf5xkj1Dch8cigIhhZSAzoxVy8Euzd7jsc/s320/Rising+food+prices.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575446199261455074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It gives a sense I am in the right direction with organic rice planting. Took a bit of convincing myself into this. After all, how much rice do I eat? Besides I am into a calorie restriction diet.<br /><br />The primarily motivation comes from an eco-lifestyle rather than fear of food security actually. Also the self sufficiency idea advocated by H.M. The King of Thailand is appealing.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-10073028573955514542011-02-16T22:34:00.000-08:002011-02-16T23:59:03.697-08:00Coping with dry seasonOnly a few months ago, there were flooding all around. But little rains fell in catchment areas so it will limit reservoir water release during the dry season. Petchaburi is now among list of 15 provinces affected by drought.<br /><br />Pond water level fell by 50cm last year through evaporation alone, below the water intake point. Though I won't run out of water, its management has to be improved.<br /><br />Recently 6" PVC pipes were laid to interconnect the ponds and valves installed at inlets. Excavator was called in and I took opportunity to improve the landscape around.<br /><br />To have municipal water to the farm, 800M length of pipes had to be laid. These were buried 50cm deep to avoid accidental damage by road traffic and occasional burning of bushes.<br /><br />Laying the last stretch to the rest house. Finally I get running water there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5Aujhs2VSWMb5yy-w98L0Wx7gUJkozmHpiINuUtmEULK_qQuw5GsPbIz0Oqtr6aCT5fkoZ2p36H3OTtzsQE0ROK4nmT1fbAbk6S4yTaG3T2NoUzb2wf0EXAmy5CoPapjVm-8C8OhGwk/s1600/DSC00692.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5Aujhs2VSWMb5yy-w98L0Wx7gUJkozmHpiINuUtmEULK_qQuw5GsPbIz0Oqtr6aCT5fkoZ2p36H3OTtzsQE0ROK4nmT1fbAbk6S4yTaG3T2NoUzb2wf0EXAmy5CoPapjVm-8C8OhGwk/s320/DSC00692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574543519154240866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />When you have a farm, improvements never seem to end!Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-23587739163365956702011-02-03T05:16:00.000-08:002011-02-03T06:57:26.140-08:00Extending swiftlet feeding hoursSwiftlets are often seen feeding over the fields around the farm in evening hours. Many would continue to feed into fading light. I am doubtful if they could see the insects but could it be they are feeding like whale sharks? Simply feed with mouth wide open. Certainly there are plenty of insects around, seen through head lights whenever I leave after dark.<br /><br />So I rethink the necessity of attracting insects into a feeding room during the night. Why not just extend their feeding time instead? Good that there is an unused pole to install some lights.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JcqMs5Tf7xq9OW-CslvQqNyH5L_RCoa65LsjpB254AMKitsaibppwpVqs69lhEwUC25GGjYaSDEh6Nuis0ue1Xnn7EETyqwMo2clbBvEvR7OPiyXMlSTHFQcF4t3z4C4kemcHQZNfA0/s1600/DSC00538.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JcqMs5Tf7xq9OW-CslvQqNyH5L_RCoa65LsjpB254AMKitsaibppwpVqs69lhEwUC25GGjYaSDEh6Nuis0ue1Xnn7EETyqwMo2clbBvEvR7OPiyXMlSTHFQcF4t3z4C4kemcHQZNfA0/s320/DSC00538.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569452650431459154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />See the wide open fields - a natural insects breeding ground. How can I do better?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY7yIytO5Fu-lPPDjm7pF_QEiytrcagjsVeyWZJViRQtCJEs-1tW7VRBofEBavNBltyKlkqx5FEs-wD0t7JMIM9fpLaUSnrs2WZEyKPU9rJ6M01zcYhbv3F1qM3hGORq1dcTRtvC5zk0/s1600/DSC00539.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 72px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY7yIytO5Fu-lPPDjm7pF_QEiytrcagjsVeyWZJViRQtCJEs-1tW7VRBofEBavNBltyKlkqx5FEs-wD0t7JMIM9fpLaUSnrs2WZEyKPU9rJ6M01zcYhbv3F1qM3hGORq1dcTRtvC5zk0/s320/DSC00539.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569452642735758322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />An hour or so extension should be good enough. A timer will take care of that. Lamp replacement is not so easy though! Well, take it as it comes.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-52681188094691737272011-02-02T02:46:00.000-08:002011-02-10T00:21:25.039-08:00An organic rice field nextMade a call to a friend today who owns 6 rai (1 rai = 40m x 40m) of rice fields 850m from my farm. He has kindly granted permission to proceed with organic rice planting this coming season.<br /><br />You can imagine my joy of breaking into new ground - something I never contemplate when starting off with vermi-composting! So I might as well let the cat out of the bag. The rice field plot is marked in RED.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiF5zD0s_EOQyM_zmRZHz242NER8Bsm8ZD6tsQEZJjLw_NRO7SiQx1ylfySbcPpQqNkxiPYbMK6XmcGiFFiQ4t1ogweBBjSEwBuN8PO3CsEtoebkJVavV7UYt386yOcNoqvQXTVZHuGs/s1600/Organic+Rice+Field.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiF5zD0s_EOQyM_zmRZHz242NER8Bsm8ZD6tsQEZJjLw_NRO7SiQx1ylfySbcPpQqNkxiPYbMK6XmcGiFFiQ4t1ogweBBjSEwBuN8PO3CsEtoebkJVavV7UYt386yOcNoqvQXTVZHuGs/s320/Organic+Rice+Field.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569052188522308642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The land is 40m wide by 240m long - mark by coconut tree at far end.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM0dMCtj1igqoR71r-rIK6_sWEv04whPZWMkamf7dfNMLA0sQCBZPqVMyZOy5vV5n6_LvpsNewlV6ZhfpH1gCzrvr3bYo_23ymnRRWhyvKX9dk70HZODxj0Gt_ET_jlGmZ7_qZ55dVrg/s1600/Organic+Rice+Field+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM0dMCtj1igqoR71r-rIK6_sWEv04whPZWMkamf7dfNMLA0sQCBZPqVMyZOy5vV5n6_LvpsNewlV6ZhfpH1gCzrvr3bYo_23ymnRRWhyvKX9dk70HZODxj0Gt_ET_jlGmZ7_qZ55dVrg/s320/Organic+Rice+Field+%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569042289820235458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Of course, growing rice is beyond me. I would out source planting to a rice farmer and share the harvest.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-12990275992486099342011-02-01T06:23:00.000-08:002011-02-01T21:06:53.957-08:00Scaling up my vermi-compost nurseryMy worm beds start up is doing fine for a while now. Started off with 5Kg of worms in aerated plastic containers, confidence has established to scale it to the next level.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXz3Dqk6ZeDa-Kv8ynF1qA4mgtghBCzVrl2-5eP1gGS3dt_Gd3GRX7u1o6QyrL3AH_v8p_DdTHFwiX0gh1w3Sas1LZ423qvFvRWaGA1_uQI36jm1dZy2r77JdDetKiBsUieQdwjKSAu0/s1600/DSC00530.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXz3Dqk6ZeDa-Kv8ynF1qA4mgtghBCzVrl2-5eP1gGS3dt_Gd3GRX7u1o6QyrL3AH_v8p_DdTHFwiX0gh1w3Sas1LZ423qvFvRWaGA1_uQI36jm1dZy2r77JdDetKiBsUieQdwjKSAu0/s320/DSC00530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568727734439688898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The initial focus is to multiply the worm population. To accelerate the process, I've procured another 20Kg of worms - this is to buy time rather to rely on internal organic growth. A multi-tier worm bed was constructed to expand the nursery.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQToOBvdPc1ysBfz5NrKfaLvR-QHyO8ujulG2xapychqMAv-walgtTVypN_QYJ-kZFPREZPJHIylagg0IDtpuIF69v2FSFfENX8Pq77ejrLU6MlVbc0gzaaGnWyt3oo4J4OVZ37k8Dsc/s1600/DSC00529.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQToOBvdPc1ysBfz5NrKfaLvR-QHyO8ujulG2xapychqMAv-walgtTVypN_QYJ-kZFPREZPJHIylagg0IDtpuIF69v2FSFfENX8Pq77ejrLU6MlVbc0gzaaGnWyt3oo4J4OVZ37k8Dsc/s320/DSC00529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568727726449806114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Meanwhile we are studying into mechanizing the vermi-cast production process by some level of automation. Plenty of scope for DIY activity again!<br /><br />A bigger plan is the prime motivation behind. Let's see how it unfold over time.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-44143676538412101822011-01-24T08:51:00.000-08:002011-01-26T17:06:54.042-08:00Swiftlet Community Education FundSoon as I got back to Thailand, I were eager to set foot on my farm obviously. No dramas this time - a sigh of relief!<br /><br />There is something else restless in mind, over a series of questions about the funds I raised & viability of the school project. Several "what if" questions and "If.. then... else" scenarios popped up. Am I really getting suck into this, I wondered?<br /><br />Firstly I need to convince myself this is justifiable in terms of enrollments. Is there a sufficient population base of youths in the region?<br /><br />What if the school project does not materialize? Then the part of fund I raised should be utilize as subsidy to selected few in higher learning.<br /><br />Even if the school is built, is funding sufficient to be sustainable? A cash crunch over a few months can be disastrous, all efforts will go down the drain. I have some ideas they can generate an income stream. Is it feasible for them to undertake?<br /><br />These are really not my problems but I still need a trip up Sangklaburi to clear my mind and touch base with Da Da in person and do some due diligence as well. I felt a sense of responsibility to those who make a contribution.<br /><br />Sangklaburi is 500KM from where I am, almost a 7 hr drive to get there. Break for lunch at a floating restaurant on River Kwai, Kachanaburi. The infamous "Death Railway" bridge is in sight at the far end.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzlvTs-9ZJPokwF8_leFBLExsKGmW35oQs9buNQyv5zhgbOicCUGK04nKhREGeymPyjTSleIKX1VxE0VocnVPJlBscwsktr9um6TEEmNid-Xp1BbMxPi6ZwwOx2V97lo9iL_wChS9hUg/s1600/DSC00373.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzlvTs-9ZJPokwF8_leFBLExsKGmW35oQs9buNQyv5zhgbOicCUGK04nKhREGeymPyjTSleIKX1VxE0VocnVPJlBscwsktr9um6TEEmNid-Xp1BbMxPi6ZwwOx2V97lo9iL_wChS9hUg/s320/DSC00373.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565962406278994418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Speeding long tail boats skimmed over water surface with load of tourists.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus-MM3crwKpmNFBjLdr6hzrGKNbCmMhQM_5mLL7Ub-sC1b8PtArKjWrxwQ6k85ffOkktBF-gyWJlbuRkb1P5zqclKOo5nrwIRtrPAf7_uojHAq_290fa7CW7gGwFU4CB67x4dYfs2siQ/s1600/DSC00375.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus-MM3crwKpmNFBjLdr6hzrGKNbCmMhQM_5mLL7Ub-sC1b8PtArKjWrxwQ6k85ffOkktBF-gyWJlbuRkb1P5zqclKOo5nrwIRtrPAf7_uojHAq_290fa7CW7gGwFU4CB67x4dYfs2siQ/s320/DSC00375.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565960145791420658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It was evening by the time I arrived. Remote may be, this is a scenic town overlooking a huge lake created by Khao Laem Dam. Ha.. a cluster of weaver nests hanging down artificially at the lakeside resort.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAH4vD_cZcg4URCByi6dzfthD40ZD2NNDK0_AqrPVVvullHsB6N4g_4-xxhHpB0koh7DNaawsQyzVXTkLFtJTSe85LuhfVs9RauRGuxIW1QbaUjMgkmXpu-s5wK3R6fCzA5dW7GwLstg/s1600/DSC00388.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAH4vD_cZcg4URCByi6dzfthD40ZD2NNDK0_AqrPVVvullHsB6N4g_4-xxhHpB0koh7DNaawsQyzVXTkLFtJTSe85LuhfVs9RauRGuxIW1QbaUjMgkmXpu-s5wK3R6fCzA5dW7GwLstg/s320/DSC00388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565960154252269874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Presenting the contributions from fellow swiftlet farmers - as the "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Swiflet Community Education Fund</span>" the following morning.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRIq9wRNo26aQCprzqizz6XhmtsxG2vjE0CjCh3LbgeNaXlAjJtfhYmn-wFakEyfMdZRudRvQz-2V0eSRJ1cN2iLyd137ivJpSR6wmjpEAbMTbDpfXlOaXdYRbd54fabHF46t7T06vh0/s1600/DSC00431.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRIq9wRNo26aQCprzqizz6XhmtsxG2vjE0CjCh3LbgeNaXlAjJtfhYmn-wFakEyfMdZRudRvQz-2V0eSRJ1cN2iLyd137ivJpSR6wmjpEAbMTbDpfXlOaXdYRbd54fabHF46t7T06vh0/s320/DSC00431.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565803621917942994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The school site (to the left) is along an isolated stretch of road about 16KM out of town. It is preferable to be at the edge of the main town, I mentioned to Da Da. Currently the nearest place to have such vocational training is Kachanaburi - 220KM away, he replied.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7Dl1FSVqD-Pqc8l0vXVynz1lwF2-Qo8Ye7sAANve39-sL_ffZgGdIs8Q33MPvxcxwj5s6zQfXwQU19ji9mIsruPB_fUqGsYOKDhJAmqzdnJlvemXO4rItfa4GTS3mdDmuIlAAe2QYCk/s1600/DSC00435.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7Dl1FSVqD-Pqc8l0vXVynz1lwF2-Qo8Ye7sAANve39-sL_ffZgGdIs8Q33MPvxcxwj5s6zQfXwQU19ji9mIsruPB_fUqGsYOKDhJAmqzdnJlvemXO4rItfa4GTS3mdDmuIlAAe2QYCk/s320/DSC00435.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565803633084364866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The land adjoins to Baan Da Da orphanage and owned by the foundation. Surprise to me is a fair size village community served by the road not far down. I've also surveyed other villages in the vicinity driving around and get a better perspective on Google Earth.<br /><br />What if there is insufficient funds to start and no time line to begin?<br />His response was he has support from the principal of local high school to conduct classroom lessons there and would start building the workshops for practical sessions in October. Well, if he started off walking to Phuket with Bht 15 in his pocket, I can believe his determination to pull it off on a much reduced scale. Start with one course and grow from there, I advised.<br /><br />I toured the grounds of the orphanage and was quite impressed with their achievements. The self built 3-storey children dormitory.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh6kR92iLUhwxlWx3Rq82esPBiZS6_wgVUqRyE1tjrNkwS79nBOJWp9pE2Xu2KJ2FdFOJNIxH2Nt4SZJ1E1vYmoX4c2q6mWA1PyoXovv7ZwxcEj3rd0-rsZqTpxCB3WUhDiq1n5bi1Qc/s1600/DSC00415.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh6kR92iLUhwxlWx3Rq82esPBiZS6_wgVUqRyE1tjrNkwS79nBOJWp9pE2Xu2KJ2FdFOJNIxH2Nt4SZJ1E1vYmoX4c2q6mWA1PyoXovv7ZwxcEj3rd0-rsZqTpxCB3WUhDiq1n5bi1Qc/s320/DSC00415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565803627299714226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A building constructed out of self-made mud bricks behind the basket ball court.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr2JtxZe6xrkea-NjfSWA-PBrAjt17hlrsC1OFgUGD_32diseYCVpptb-mp1jUZs7aSuutSOhJdyst31gC-6nuhEHbUj5-qmSOjN0S-m6ZEX5HklKG-lDhYFc4BQyignJuSE-pHc5Jl4/s1600/DSC00414.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr2JtxZe6xrkea-NjfSWA-PBrAjt17hlrsC1OFgUGD_32diseYCVpptb-mp1jUZs7aSuutSOhJdyst31gC-6nuhEHbUj5-qmSOjN0S-m6ZEX5HklKG-lDhYFc4BQyignJuSE-pHc5Jl4/s320/DSC00414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565803639734895506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A weaving room to teach local women folks skill of the craft.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWi4G1znbA6McLPH0w14R8xZtF8Rgmha4BwvTAi64yk22E_sHALPUKa6JIJE-AxMimC5zvScQXlo6bfOSY00-qyEXOUA_po_76R-hLfbnF_1edtIsSnyxcToqj7t9UMQBO81NiiknKUA/s1600/DSC00434.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWi4G1znbA6McLPH0w14R8xZtF8Rgmha4BwvTAi64yk22E_sHALPUKa6JIJE-AxMimC5zvScQXlo6bfOSY00-qyEXOUA_po_76R-hLfbnF_1edtIsSnyxcToqj7t9UMQBO81NiiknKUA/s320/DSC00434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565798030382678386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Girls having a break in the yard. Behind is a music hall where the children band practiced for the evening performance.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO928Dk0PrIX9OJEAvYLG667QZ2AhV74l-WfyimpaoDmTXn9tIe4A5wnMmkI9Az1qr4r-Ovu4PGJSsSPaxgWY_Jcm2BPWT46S0GXZ6OHng4Z1R3g49XnK4aySSNJveNzyiVazk_hTEfA/s1600/DSC00416.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO928Dk0PrIX9OJEAvYLG667QZ2AhV74l-WfyimpaoDmTXn9tIe4A5wnMmkI9Az1qr4r-Ovu4PGJSsSPaxgWY_Jcm2BPWT46S0GXZ6OHng4Z1R3g49XnK4aySSNJveNzyiVazk_hTEfA/s320/DSC00416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565803615656510418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Beyond the core activity areas are well established fruit orchard & vegetable gardens, tended by residents. Evidence of their spirit of self sufficiency that become part of up bringing.<br /><br />A fully grown avocado tree.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUokgqHwWUyAZ7Wz_T-ykEZ23i4tArnzVDBT8_wFhFO87F5haXgGa394r9DuXPELvFKynJx3_f_n1OvxTtmO-C28zAl8o-8c3FEY2gk5sqm5yx19p7WoHmmGBwugV7FmnmmHbGoRl7fQ/s1600/DSC00419.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUokgqHwWUyAZ7Wz_T-ykEZ23i4tArnzVDBT8_wFhFO87F5haXgGa394r9DuXPELvFKynJx3_f_n1OvxTtmO-C28zAl8o-8c3FEY2gk5sqm5yx19p7WoHmmGBwugV7FmnmmHbGoRl7fQ/s320/DSC00419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565800637694844962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Pineapples planted between rubber trees. A good number of rubber trees planted 3 years back, an investment to supplement operational expenses of the orphanage in future.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FhdE8T8l4gq0jGCsdebXwIlly5lXraT89dU5cObh1drioXmhwONKQVQAx_Zb1M1l6SOi6ugaT4Fl1B1Y8j3dKY9Dhy_Qh6HKK5SLJ7KwakvzukDK8o5Am4WJ1Qr9iM0z1pajH4UsmxQ/s1600/DSC00420.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FhdE8T8l4gq0jGCsdebXwIlly5lXraT89dU5cObh1drioXmhwONKQVQAx_Zb1M1l6SOi6ugaT4Fl1B1Y8j3dKY9Dhy_Qh6HKK5SLJ7KwakvzukDK8o5Am4WJ1Qr9iM0z1pajH4UsmxQ/s320/DSC00420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565800626060106194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A new plot of arable land being prepared alongside matured bananas trees.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9DApkie0J3IM7x0Ym2k8GDZweTPt9_MznvkHQ86mDP5d-WXXejV5bBUlEac3s73Mqcj61jx1tpC_UKtrRhZIxIljp5gxPPzcqn3koLHSpkjWBfeC99A0HUtMMcGlAXu5QPCUfv5BfJc/s1600/DSC00425.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9DApkie0J3IM7x0Ym2k8GDZweTPt9_MznvkHQ86mDP5d-WXXejV5bBUlEac3s73Mqcj61jx1tpC_UKtrRhZIxIljp5gxPPzcqn3koLHSpkjWBfeC99A0HUtMMcGlAXu5QPCUfv5BfJc/s320/DSC00425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565800617184189890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Maximizing land usage - vegetables plots between rubber trees.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PVgdAtqjyOsIsDKTSUl26VycHC8XDHccVkjk_TgdKJTIdKPO-A4_9I7_ROdkFGx7Ek8rGLYOdwNMe1mVwyAbLoATHm-1KQIFIIYpMp1FaUwnRphN0sxLv7mSAC9uV5EU1Mh4Z2vxVuY/s1600/DSC00422.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PVgdAtqjyOsIsDKTSUl26VycHC8XDHccVkjk_TgdKJTIdKPO-A4_9I7_ROdkFGx7Ek8rGLYOdwNMe1mVwyAbLoATHm-1KQIFIIYpMp1FaUwnRphN0sxLv7mSAC9uV5EU1Mh4Z2vxVuY/s320/DSC00422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565800615261975266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A well tended vegetable garden and more are still developing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-5Em7dXBCSOqtoytTVkEwNM__dEE-4BhwzB8ggYqm1tBzhFcKMXXeFchtCGI8cEZOi0W0VNAbZaC0xILYfw1arBk3XgKkSCGuPuKWOIST0yJlFkwqdVSDboNfDpF27kuT9ImlI-EpNU/s1600/DSC00426.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-5Em7dXBCSOqtoytTVkEwNM__dEE-4BhwzB8ggYqm1tBzhFcKMXXeFchtCGI8cEZOi0W0VNAbZaC0xILYfw1arBk3XgKkSCGuPuKWOIST0yJlFkwqdVSDboNfDpF27kuT9ImlI-EpNU/s320/DSC00426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565800607489612562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I proposed they go organic and we visited a nearby NGO to obtain some worm culture. Once they get a hang of it, I'll sponsor their start-up of a commercial scale vermi-compost facility. Finally I see some parallel to my hobby farm activities.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsZH2_uSDIvmE8dyOP6VTt8KgTBbhKG4EDkqc_prwFJyAp_9k6lHK9-ht_Ma8CQ0d8jiga6pel6T5DA-AbkTwWPspREJnw0qfirJjKGJ2dvmxb-r6ENUKtRt-aTrV9hUWtqvhz2CHik4/s1600/DSC00444.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsZH2_uSDIvmE8dyOP6VTt8KgTBbhKG4EDkqc_prwFJyAp_9k6lHK9-ht_Ma8CQ0d8jiga6pel6T5DA-AbkTwWPspREJnw0qfirJjKGJ2dvmxb-r6ENUKtRt-aTrV9hUWtqvhz2CHik4/s320/DSC00444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565798023480146706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In the evening, the children performed at Songalia Resort. Performers keep 20% of receipt as pocket money and 80% goes toward paying school fees.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN9PZKQmFf1MQRq-ch8ZmYUPNkuE5yMAtMw_V1yFJ_SSkkFTA_9M45L9m1Xrm5KgtAlufG9DzELmFqTnitkU-MUmLrFFsP1K-ca2XDUlalNiiAOm4QbHFm_SbDV8LUfn70eKd71qyK0M/s1600/DSC00470.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN9PZKQmFf1MQRq-ch8ZmYUPNkuE5yMAtMw_V1yFJ_SSkkFTA_9M45L9m1Xrm5KgtAlufG9DzELmFqTnitkU-MUmLrFFsP1K-ca2XDUlalNiiAOm4QbHFm_SbDV8LUfn70eKd71qyK0M/s320/DSC00470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565798018943122962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Da Da in animated gesture guiding the drummer from sideline.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRGCozazUZIaUwwRpnYrkjOIru75AL9TRtT3aCnkZKAqUNH_4WYaUxw9g0cXWmDDKUIOx0dBxOunpL4qpaQ0SOUN8VXoo3ZEQ67s7CEBKYk0mgQlqVfi0NAoh4_lR0H5E1INj6Gzhz-Q/s1600/DSC00468.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRGCozazUZIaUwwRpnYrkjOIru75AL9TRtT3aCnkZKAqUNH_4WYaUxw9g0cXWmDDKUIOx0dBxOunpL4qpaQ0SOUN8VXoo3ZEQ67s7CEBKYk0mgQlqVfi0NAoh4_lR0H5E1INj6Gzhz-Q/s320/DSC00468.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565798017416051490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ILzj3tx5A58?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ILzj3tx5A58?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />The group of visiting volunteers came by to lend their support too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIs-K5qLh__S7K018PwhEjwrTQciSLk0DL04HNQ-g9rHwnsQisZUOrQsG34paqzQugNNNZ1WAOGUUlq0z3bZv_i5EIl-3VVxXjbGP2pZJFiZU_NtvKc1LwlG6YogMOuXAyiFLeH1_kXA/s1600/DSC00466.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIs-K5qLh__S7K018PwhEjwrTQciSLk0DL04HNQ-g9rHwnsQisZUOrQsG34paqzQugNNNZ1WAOGUUlq0z3bZv_i5EIl-3VVxXjbGP2pZJFiZU_NtvKc1LwlG6YogMOuXAyiFLeH1_kXA/s320/DSC00466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565798010989796386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It is a good feeling if a little contribution do make a difference in others life. To me "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Giving is not necessary helping</span>", but "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Helping people who help themselves</span>" is more meaningful and worthwhile. My mind is cleared now.<br /><br />What I like to do as a hobby farm is what they do to live!Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-6182254104527642242011-01-11T22:01:00.000-08:002011-01-12T05:04:32.064-08:00A snapshot of visitors across the regionSometimes I wonder who visit my blogs. Good that the statistic counter has a visitor map. There are many from other parts of the world too but I am more interested in people in our region.<br /><br />This is the current snapshot.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjw02C6qG0U2mt7qLCfV-K8jdVx4MUAzwh2EzWZ-SI6onppmkHMdMa9UJW3tWyPtpklMiPTC7rCOv4ItzB01AHYUZ8GLf2Y_t_DrHEHiU3MYeu2piMF-IEU1RLd_eaiHkh9RjmV-mL-dc/s1600/Visitor+map+2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjw02C6qG0U2mt7qLCfV-K8jdVx4MUAzwh2EzWZ-SI6onppmkHMdMa9UJW3tWyPtpklMiPTC7rCOv4ItzB01AHYUZ8GLf2Y_t_DrHEHiU3MYeu2piMF-IEU1RLd_eaiHkh9RjmV-mL-dc/s320/Visitor+map+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561284406695495586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Actually I am a little bored being away from my farm :0). Looking forward to get my feet on the ground again.<br /><br />Better look where else I can update my blogs.. oh yes, the last visit to Pak Hen's seminar in Jakarta.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-41379496597120316222011-01-08T06:37:00.000-08:002011-01-09T01:24:49.528-08:00Lend a helping hand<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFf6KfmkNPFJVsaSRMIvRGcj_Ra1hk0DHp_zIdPbct3n43gK9U3TW1tZGCQdGxvP6kWZSTu07HAvttb5EX40oe_PG7aUyM51r3FUqsf4CG1c1LVd1bZawWNNgGw-K-K2vV2XR4Rzy3tY/s1600/Helping+Hands.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFf6KfmkNPFJVsaSRMIvRGcj_Ra1hk0DHp_zIdPbct3n43gK9U3TW1tZGCQdGxvP6kWZSTu07HAvttb5EX40oe_PG7aUyM51r3FUqsf4CG1c1LVd1bZawWNNgGw-K-K2vV2XR4Rzy3tY/s320/Helping+Hands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559825424609237522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />An event in late 2010 that re-shapes my activities for 2011 was Da Da's passage through Petchaburi on 13th Nov.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This guy is a nut with a huge heart!</span> Nut because he was inadequately prepared to undertake the 1,200Km walk to Phuket. He embarked on the "Walk for Education" mission without sufficient resources! Saw him on sandals with blistering toes as he reached Petchaburi, covered only 40% of the distance.<br /><br />The first paragraph of his blog wrote: (22nd Oct 2010)<br />Quote<br />Made a phone call to Somchai at 8:00pm to tell him that I only have 15 baht (US$0.50 or RM 1.50) on my pocket and I will start the solo walk tomorrow. He told me that “this is not right and even dangerous”. He promised to arrange some money immediately as he has his bank passbook with Dada Prasanta. I told Somchai strongly that he should not tell Dada P my situation. He said he will call back later.<br />Unquote<br /><br />I can't imagine myself doing that, not even contemplate to walk 1,200 KM in the first place. Yet he set off whatever the circumstance on 23rd Oct and reached Phuket on 6th Dec after 45 days! I take my hat off for his endeavor. This is one <span style="font-weight: bold;">tough nut</span>!<br /><br />The last photo post of his blog towards Phanga, almost there to Phuket. I've passed this way several times before, only on 4 wheels at 120Km/Hr.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpRh6c2SxFyqANsnXhpUehzlEEQ8KmwV5oOx8xp4sCJ3Wn5I2VlLs48YyQ9aGmHNHySNwmES_oqfLjtKtxv1fShWJRt9122aja3bxp7KD04ai7CZD2SVyXYVdWtKNLbZY_Vr19j-stEM/s1600/Reaching+Phanga.jpeg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpRh6c2SxFyqANsnXhpUehzlEEQ8KmwV5oOx8xp4sCJ3Wn5I2VlLs48YyQ9aGmHNHySNwmES_oqfLjtKtxv1fShWJRt9122aja3bxp7KD04ai7CZD2SVyXYVdWtKNLbZY_Vr19j-stEM/s320/Reaching+Phanga.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559824501588691666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />What really touched me when I first met him was this guy has a huge heart. What's the fundamental difference between us I asked myself? The goal he set out is selfless. While mine had always been self-centered.<br /><br />As for his fund raising objective - he is far from it, still very far!<br />He met some journalists while passing through Bangkok hoping to get press publicity. It came to nothing. Huh - a Mr. Nobody doing a fund raising walk to build a technical school for minorities at the Thai-Myanmar border was not newsworthy of course.<br /><br />All I can do at the time was to add a post to Bangkok Post forum captioned "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Lend a helping hand</span>". It invited 3,400 views but again it may not be of much help either.<br /><br />During that time, a person I came to know through this blog called to consult on sound system for his new bird house. I proposed to review his design and he contributes to Da Da's school building project. He agreed without hesitation.<br /><br />Since then another blog reader has also made a contribution. Thanks to their kindness and supports given. There are more helping hands out there I believe.<br /><br />Going forward my intention is to help by do something concrete. I have several loose ideas floating in the head now and will crystallize them over the coming weeks.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-56799815259152839132011-01-08T00:25:00.000-08:002011-01-08T08:21:07.660-08:002011 - What's in store?Another year had passed! It's time for some reflections & look forward to a new year.<br /><br />Ran through content of this blog is like walking down memory lane. It was back in June 2008! My journey into bird nest farming started a year and half earlier with frequent field trips to various countries to learn & find a suitable location.<br /><br />It was like an adventure. There is always something to learn & discover along the way, decisions to make at every turn; a journey began with a goal but without a destination. This is how I see life since stepping out of school - I may have goals but unknown destiny.<br /><br />So I am glad I got somewhere and what's next from here?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb0-_ILK2FeDyN0DzeB5bkDVkPJr4t6PpDa3wbvhXrr5uJmxFWs60YdoHqMOLwEyCPkXPNNlVLwj1euSne8pWp7j-ygp-GNHKh_Lh0Y6qCqGk4a_-7l7Wm2ofRzK_BnXKyRi7sAir0Ew/s1600/what-is-in-store-for-2011.jpeg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb0-_ILK2FeDyN0DzeB5bkDVkPJr4t6PpDa3wbvhXrr5uJmxFWs60YdoHqMOLwEyCPkXPNNlVLwj1euSne8pWp7j-ygp-GNHKh_Lh0Y6qCqGk4a_-7l7Wm2ofRzK_BnXKyRi7sAir0Ew/s320/what-is-in-store-for-2011.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559733452321914338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There is really nothing new to say here except to recap & remind myself the personal objectives to follow through with.<br /><br />On the outset, my bird house is designed with room to experiment with bird sounds. Somehow I have special affection on this subject. That's why I placed my equipment room on top floor with roof access, so to conduct sound experiments - whether on bird sounds or comparative performance of tweeters.<br /><br />There are many claims people made out there - true or half truths; there is no better way than let the birds give the verdict. Well, it is not easy to have the answers but the means is now available; only the efforts needed.<br /><br />This is really what I look forward to in 2011.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-34691049573131583102011-01-06T01:08:00.000-08:002011-01-06T01:20:59.612-08:00A nest to rememberThis is a special nest to me. Why?<br /><br />I mentioned the use of fake nests & Styrofoam pads some time ago. The intent is to encourage young birds to populate new areas of the bird house. This is the first nest I decide to harvest finally after 2 rounds of fledgelings had grown from it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt_TW5HjA4-Tqb3wPBogeAICDsJOPKfba26WO3EUo7ZuzBvAwDzoozccr9oN48YDbtaV-bkXzvhJqNGtgQVUc-fm0VHl_zL8vdIaVgBywfxJuemS1pQ1vYOhvUh3Vb59JUlcXgrCTyRQ/s1600/DSC00363.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt_TW5HjA4-Tqb3wPBogeAICDsJOPKfba26WO3EUo7ZuzBvAwDzoozccr9oN48YDbtaV-bkXzvhJqNGtgQVUc-fm0VHl_zL8vdIaVgBywfxJuemS1pQ1vYOhvUh3Vb59JUlcXgrCTyRQ/s320/DSC00363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558997599668437890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That area is now been populated with some 40 nests. I am quite content with the results. I didn't use aroma. Just a combination of tweeters & fake nest/Styrofoam pads.<br /><br />Growing the population is always a challenge. A friend posed a question to me before: "How would you keep your young birds from going away?"<br /><br />I guess this is one good way.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-71928853233497234072011-01-01T23:52:00.000-08:002011-01-05T03:30:20.586-08:00Un-welcomed visitor - A predator birdRecently there was a predator bird (hawk) came around the bird house during late afternoons when swiftlets return to play. Swiftlets don't seem to be perturbed by its presence, even with roving eagles at times!<br /><br />The hawk stood on the roof's edge, changed a few spots while sizing up the situation and finally positioned itself over the entrance hole. That is a blind spot to swiftlets flying out. It leap and swoop down on them. Well so far, no birds were caught in my presence.<br /><br />What is interesting was each time the hawk leap into flight, swiftlets in the air gang up and gave chase for 100 - 200m till it flew far enough away. Witnessed this behavior many times - seem they have a colonial spirit and are protective of its territory.<br /><br />Predator bird (circled) flew with swiftlets (not quite visible) in hot pursuits..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgtq1khg27vbT7BWlgYw2FNy0Vew8DxhMhU6fgAIA2imbCtjS3q0zZMwktkHFh112XL0yd0fAoZhJGY2HiHaFp4x_2Ag9yiR-aEZZia85BEU05otrc9EQWyZ2bB-TF3ATB3ISr68wCc8/s1600/DSC00246.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgtq1khg27vbT7BWlgYw2FNy0Vew8DxhMhU6fgAIA2imbCtjS3q0zZMwktkHFh112XL0yd0fAoZhJGY2HiHaFp4x_2Ag9yiR-aEZZia85BEU05otrc9EQWyZ2bB-TF3ATB3ISr68wCc8/s320/DSC00246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557493803429059426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well, the long term solution is to electrify the roof's edge.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547233323688462449.post-29294183008753802712010-12-19T03:26:00.000-08:002010-12-19T05:43:38.410-08:00Swiftlets play over waterAppear to me that swiftlets are playing over the pond more frequently these days. Could it be that the rainy season was over? I've got a better video clip this time closer to the birds.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4FSwaw4Hxgw?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4FSwaw4Hxgw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />There are two fair size ponds, one about 1,600 sq. M and the other 4,500 sq. M. Somehow the birds seem to favor the larger pond. I haven't figure out other possible factors yet.Walet.twinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210388939671378989noreply@blogger.com0