First Thing And I Was Around To See Steve,

I needed a major conversion to one of my CO2 cylinders,

I wanted to fill it with helium instead of CO2, but as anyone who is familiar with gases will tell you all of the connections are different for different gases, so it was off with the pillar valve,

 then a trial test with compressed air with the new pillar valve fitted,

helium is an expensive gas, so we did not want to waste any, a water test to look for any leaks,

 now we have to get the helium from that brown cylinder in to my one, for the technical the gas is 99.996% high purity diving helium, a very rare commodity,

now you might think that you connect the two cylinders together and one would fill the other, but it does not work like that, using an air driven pump the helium has to be pumped in,

mission completed my CO2 cylinder now with 100 bar or 1,450 psi, (lbs per square inch) of helium inside it, but what is it for? you may have guessed, a floating project, more in the weeks to come,

 Steve had heard of Just Burgers, so a trip along Jomtien Beach Road was in order,

 drive away from Pattaya past the Boat House and look for this sign,

 Just Burgers,

Steve had the burger with all the trimmings, I had the 99 baht basic burger, with a side portion of chips that we shared, plus a beer of course, the burger and chips was one of the nicest I have had for a long time,

although a bit of a way to drive it was well worth it, the bar is open air with a table at the side if you do not want to eat your meal on the bar,

the background music was just right, so if you are on the beach or fancy a really good home cooked burger this is the one for you, also I forgot to mention Justin has a full range of sauces and proper cheese,

Steve then called round to 388 for a few beers, then it was off to town for us as it was the evening of Loy Kratong, on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, the tide in the rivers is highest and the moon at its brightest, creating a romantic setting ideal for lovers, the Thai people choose this day to hold the 'Loy Kratong' festival, or the 'festival of light.' Loy Kratong is one of the two most recognized festivals in the country, some of the bars had their Kratongs on display outside them,

 whilst others placed them at the front of the Marine Bar,

 they must have taken so many hours to produce,

 having Diana in the picture will give you an idea of how big the ones on display are,

we then made our way to Bali Hai pier, passing some of the food shops, notice the two red plastic bags attached to the lowered ceiling fan to keep the flies away, great idea,

 passing the Turkish ice cream seller on the way,

 we were so tempted to stop off for a seafood supper!

 as we walked along towards the pier there were almost hundreds of hot air balloons lifting up to the sky,

 meanwhile down on the beach people were launching their Kratongs,

 we bought a more modest one at 40 baht than the ones on display,

 then to the beach,

 a couple of flicks of the lighter,

 and we were ready to go,

 make a wish or two and place your troubles on the Kratong and all will be well,

 as the sea takes your troubles away and hopefully grants your wishes,

 quiet a few people decided to have a party on the beach,

 we had a walk along the promenade when I spotted this gentleman with his family,

 he had one of the hot air balloons, which are made of bamboo and paper

once lit the air rises and the balloon takes off, strange to think that once upon a time if you did this in the UK you would be burnt at the stake for being a witch!

 up, up and away,

 I am not sure how high these things fly, but they really did look nice as they floated away across the sea,

 we did stop for an ice cream for Diana at McDonald's, but the queue was so long we decided against it,

then who should we bump in to? none other than that nice chap Kieth and his wife with a couple of friends over from the UK,

speaking of bumping in to people we then meet Wut/Wud/Wood, nobody is really sure of how to spell his name, many I am sure will recognise him from his time at TQ2, well he has now started work at Champions as a bar manager, the other gentleman in the picture is also a manager there, I am sure we all wish him every success at Champions,

 as we walked further along the street many of the bars had their ladies in traditional costume outside,

 there was also a bike display in the street raising funds for flood victims in the North of Thailand,

 and very impressive some of them looked as well,

 especially the Triumph and the Ducati,

 the view from our next venue, the Pattaya Beer Garden,

 'Cheers!', from me, we could not sit on the sea side tables as it was that crowded, but even so we had a good look at the fireworks that hotels along the bay were celebrating with,

 by now Diana was peckish, so a club sandwich did the trick,

  followed by a tequila,

 by now it was late so we made our way home, but the beaches were still packed with people enjoying this the most romantic of days,

then feet up for Sharpe, in Sharpe's Mission, three years previously Sharpe has been on a scouting party with Major Brand whose heroics found him promoted to Colonel, now Sharpe is reunited with Brand, leader of a commando force, to go behind enemy lines and destroy a French gunpowder store, but is Brand the hero Sharpe made him out to be? next for us off to bed.