How exciting

We've had a lovely weekend even though Mr John is showing signs of having a cold - hopefully this won't develop into man flu!  We were sitting at Tom's on Friday night waiting for our dinner, when his Dad came ambling up to me carrying a rose from the garden. 

He gave it to me all smiles - which was lovely, as I'd only been saying to Mr John earlier how he hardly ever speaks!  He then ambled back (he's not a well man) to the garden and returned with one for Mr John!!  Not only did we get these gorgeous roses but we were given the plastic "vase" as well.

Saturday was Childrens Day and there were, apparently, festivals on all over town.  Well, we must have got out of the house too late because we didn't see any.  Wat Mai, probably the biggest temple complex in town, had chairs out but there was nothing happening at the time. 

It is Teachers Day on Thursday (could there be any more festivals?) so apparently there will be no classes on but there's some sort of interschool sports day on.  As is the case at the current school, Mr John has no information on what's happening.  At his old school he was (along with the other foreign teachers) invited to the sports day and took part in the tug of war whilst wearing a skirt.  I know, he has no photos but I have seen one picture and, don't panic, the short pink "skirt" was worn over his shorts. 

Today's big news is the shut down of Bangkok.  Yes the political scene is still very active here at the moment.  The current government has called a general election for February 2nd but those opposing the government still aren't happy that the current Prime Minister has not stepped down.  The anti-government protesters have closed seven major intersections in Bangkok (since dawn) and say that it's likely to stay that way until the end of this month or the PM resigns.  I have a Thai TV channel on this morning and whilst I understand next to none of the commentary, the pictures are fascinating.  It's amazing seeing no traffic on Bangkok's roads which are usually ridiculously busy.

Whilst I don't wish to dismiss anyone's political views, our main concern is for our friend Leon who's coming to visit February 7th.  We are going up to Bangkok to meet his flight and spend the weekend there, doing some sight-seeing.  At the moment, the trains continue to operate and the airport taxi drivers have special stickers on their cars (to show demonstrators they're carrying tourists) so that they'll be allowed through the blockades.  Well, that's alright then!!!  Fingers crossed it'll all be sorted by the time Leon arrives.