Down To The Wire

One of the many local furniture shops I have visited is somewhat bizarrely called ‘Homeless’ and that’s what I’ll be if miracles don’t happen fairly quickly. OK, so the windows and doors are in

and plants keep arriving for the landscaping –

although they can’t be planted until the perimeter walls have been painted.

Even the inside is being cleaned.But…. still no water, no electricity, no furniture and most importantly at this time of year, no kitchen – and only 5 days until I move in !!!

All is not yet lost, though, as thanks to Bangkok’s IKEA and INDEX ( Hua Hin’s equivalent)

lots of essentials have been bought e.g pots and pans for the non kitchen and towels for drying off after the water-free shower! And if all else fails, I could make alternative sleeping arrangements!

In a predominantly Buddhist country there is, not surprisingly, little evidence that Christmas is almost upon us. However, as Hua Hin is quite a cosmopolitan city, the 2 shopping malls in particular are suitably decked with Yuletide reminders.

All in a temperature of some 30c!

It’s all quite jolly although I do find the canned Christmas carol singing all a bit tiresome!

Escape from the commercialisation of it all is really quite easy, though. Just south of Hua Hin is the Pranburi National Park.

which, overall, is nothing much to write home about except for the walk through the mangrove swamps

which is quite stunning and, apparently, teeming with wildlife – not that I saw any! And just when the dense undergrowth appears to be getting thicker, you emerge into the sunlight as though on top of the world before disappearing once more into the jungle.

So, it’s down to the wire. Over the next few days, an awful lot has to happen at Fairhurst’s Folly to make it habitable for moving in but I’m realistic and old enough to know that miracles rarely happen which could make Christmas pretty memorable. Maybe the ‘Homeless’ furniture shop will accommodate me!

Until I have an internet connection again,

Phileas!