After A Hectic Couple Of Days In The UK.

I was off,

to sunny Thailand, I did not arrive until the evening of Friday 6th. November, arriving at my hotel in Pattaya, new for this year just opened opposite it a food outlet, no idea what it sells but it did not have many customers, 

but I do know what this shop sells bikinis, in so many styles, 

I went to Walking Street, looking at the restaurant whose Photograph I took that gained me second place in the clubs last photograph contest, 

I have to say in the 30 or so plus years I have lived here I have never seen Walking Street so deserted at this time of year,

and there it is the sign at the start of the street,

no tourists but the traffic is as bad as ever,

and this is where I was headed, the Thai Restaurant,

so many dishes to choose from, 

for myself a portion of spare ribs, 

followed by sliced roast pork and sliced duck on a bed of rice, all delicious with a small beer 480 baht,

then to Walking Street, 

lots of new establishments, 

past the Sea Zone,

and the New Star Bar, that we all know as Dang's the owner who a few years ago went to that big beer bar in the sky, sadly missed by all,

I walked along the length of the street, this was once the site of a huge tree, that was revered by all, but it was cut down as it took up too much of the road, now just a shrine with many like me with only memories of its grandeur,

pink flamingos anyone? they reminded me of the ones in Namibia, 

the signs out here have to be seen to be believed, 

they almost spring out at you!

I made my way back to Dang's bar, where I meet up with Vic & Joy, we had a few tipples, and what difference did we notice from last year? so many new Indian venues, and not a single tour group from China, it was so obvious, I mentioned the lack of Chinese tour groups to Vic, who agreed for the past couple of hours we had sat at Dang's bar, not a single Chinese tour group had walked by, after that comment, we said our farewells and we were all off to our beds.

One Of The Things I Bought In Nambia,

was a small packet of Christmas decorations, 

although early I also brought the Christmas tree down from upstirs, that will save me from bringing it down when we return mid December,

and amazingly all of the lights worked!

then we were out, 

cold clothes on,

as we made our way into town, 

past the Remembrance Day display at the church, we had some shopping to do in town

and here she is,

back past the green,

to O'Neil's,

for our lunch as it was Diana's day off, 

a huge plate of spicy chicken quesadilla for Diana,

for myself scampi and chips, arriving home Diana spent the rest of the afternoon packing, in the evening a double helping of Midsomer Murder before we were both off to bed, but now a update, Diana had decorated our tree, and sent me a photograph,

and here it is, Merry Christmas!

Namibia, In The Morning,

bird song, 

 filled the air,

we made our way into town, past a punk zebra, 

to a craft area with restaurant, 

lots of take home souvenirs to choose from, 

upstairs the daily specials menu,

with lots of cakes for dessert,

back to shopping,

lots on offer, 

although I am not sure of a wine called Salt, 

here we are Helen, Seyhan, Howard and Sal,

we were entertained by a local combo,

game meat, 

or chicken salad, delicious!

on the way back the heavens opened up, after which a pleasant sundowner at the hotel.

I Arrived Back In The UK Safe And Sound,

I am only making a short post today, 

as I am re-packing for my visit to Thailand on Thursday, in the evening I was out, but first my meal,

a read and no not a sherry, tonight a glass of milk as I will be driving later, 

Diana had bought me a prawn cocktail, 

and a shepards pie, 'Cheers!', after which I was out to Beckenham Photographic Society, in my absence Andrew had entered a couple of my PDI's for me last week, (Projected Digital Image) they are shown on a screen rather like slides were when transparency film was used, a lot of people do not like making prints preferring to keep to digital images, the judging was tonight, but first a small ceremony as a award to the club was given,

Rodger on the right, 

gave the shield to Andrew, the club chairman, it was that the club was triumphant against 23 other photography clubs in Southeast England, next back to the judging, I entered 2, as did 11 other club members in the standard group and here they are, 

there were 22 prints entered, above The Dulcimer Player, he scored a low 7.5 out of 10,

but I did rather better with Neon Lights In Chinatown, Pattaya, scoring 9.5 and as it happens 2nd. place, as I will be going there tomorrow I might treat myself to a evening meal in Sea Zone to celebrate! after the meeting I picked Diana up from work, arriving home we chatted away as a Midsomer Murder was playing, after which we were off to bed.