A tale of two plumbers

Saturday 9th May 2026

On Wednesday we got back to Naxangvuey. There was no cold water in the kitchen tap. Called landlord. First plumber arrives, spends a day digging up concrete, replacing all the pipework for shower, bathroom and kitchen, drilling holes through walls. Still no water. I'll come back tomorrow, he says, to replace the main pump. Second plumber comes in next day. Unscrews the filter on the kitchen tap, removes a bit of gunk. Water flows freely!

Our trip to the UK (31st March to 6th May) was busy but enjoyable. We did a lot of socialising, sorted our wedding plans, had the boiler fixed, weeded the garden and got rid of one or two books. It's a relief to be back to P&Q.

Diary events included four visits to dentist, wedding registrar for notice, two Turner's workdays, one Tatnam workday, hearing aid check, Marylyn's eco event, two badmintons, tree planting with Sarah, Charlie and Ian, trip up north (Jen & John, Chris & Jill, Holly, Dawn & Al), Transition Town Poole gathering at Martin's, meals with Isobel & Keith, Malcolm & Liz, Karen & John, Brian & Sally, Rob F, Jacqui & Manuela. Phew! A few pounds added.

Back in March, Simon and Josephine next door had their roof re-done

We had a farewell meal with them and Damian and Da before we left

It's always a surprise to find extraordinarily talented musicians travelling through. This guy could play Mozart's entire Clarinet Concerto beautifully from memory. 

We took a boat to Cucumber Island, an ephemeral sandbank in the Mekong which hosts a temporary bar. There were lots of cucumbers - and sunflowers

I spend hours trying to photograph golden orb spiders. Here's one eating a cicada

Trevann tidying the garden before we left. We employed our tuktuk driver, Kian, to water the garden while we were away

Bangkok airport - for a 9-hour layover 😒

Back in Poole (eventually) the plum trees are in full blossom

Turner's Community Orchard in good hands in my abence

Vishwam came down from Shetland to visit. We had lunch and a walk with Charis and hounds

The Japanese cherry is exceptional

I celebrated Lao New Year (Pi Mai) by planting trees at Turner's. One of the dog-walkers donated four saplings for the woodland

Then we went up North for the usual round of family

Chris had just finished his last chemo. Looking good considering

 Holly has always loved this necklace that her Grannie often wore. So I was happy to pass it on. It suits her.

A walk round Sandal reservoir with Dawn and Al

Their spring garden is full of colour. Dawn retired 2 days after our visit and the house is on the market.

Useful reminder for dates

I cleaned up Dad's desk chair ready for recaning. To be completed next visit

Back in Poole, Malcolm & Liz have their millionaire's mansion on the market too

Nice pic of Manuela

Lovely salmon teriyaki lunch cooked by Jacqui

Fiona, Tanya and Ian - the Turner's crew!

And we have a pair of ducks on the pond at Turner's for the first time

Ben came back from Teddy Rocks Festival in good spirits.

And then it was Time to Seek the Lord (or wait for the coach to Heathrow)

We think these are Common Tree Frog eggs in the pond at Naxangveuy

I put them in a bucket because the tadpoles will eat the fish

Mango season is just starting

We have a new resident in the garden