One year older? - surely not

I had a lovely birthday, starting with chanting monks, a coffee in a pretty cafe, an afternoon walk along the peninsula, past the riverside construction works, a delicious sunset mai tai (my first cocktail since 2005!), a wobbly boat ride back across the river (because the bamboo bridge has gone), a simple meal and a couple of beers with a game of pool down the Red Bul.

We made a start on looking around for a house to rent in March. It's a bit early yet and there will be more choice at the end of high season but it's interesting to look.
 

Noi and her sister planting a type of ginger root in the Greenhouse garden. She says it will be ready to harvest in a year. She's also planted sugarcane and taro this year.

The view from the Old Bridge to the Peacefulness Chedi

Most nights we eat out but once or twice a week we cook at home. Tuna salad is a favourite. Food is generally more expensive than before. We pay 100,000 (about £4) for a simple local meal up to 350,000 (£14) for a more classy or western-style meal for both of us. Beer ranges from 20,000 to 45,000 (80p to £1.80)

I was pleased to see Greenpeace campaigning about the aggressive marketing of single-use sachets by Unilever (Dove). Disgraceful and totally uncalled for in 2023. This is a shop in our road

I always love this view from the Greenhouse terrace over the Nam Khan to the city on the other side.

These are the plans for strengthening the river banks. It's unclear whether our garden will be affected.

Yet another fiery sunset.

I've been experimenting with growing some seeds. Beans, spinach and tomatoes are getting away well; lettuce is struggling. 

My birthday coffee spot

Can't escape this - nohow!

Because of the construction work, the iconic bamboo bridge at this spot has been removed. Sad for the family that relied on it for high season income.

This is the start of the works.

Birthday mai tai. Absolutely delicious.

Another selfie attempt!

Later on we decided to cross the river on the ferry. Rickety old steps, pitch black, wobbly boat, tipsy old girl - but we made it without getting wet.

Ah - the Red Bul with its immaculate baize!