Oh, What a Beautiful Day

Rainy season in Thailand can produce incredible storms and downpours, feeling even more dramatic in the countryside where we live. With no lightning conductors in the village, we switch off electrical appliances and simply sit and wait. When the skies finally clear, opportunities are there to be seized, like when I was up bright and early the following morning for a cycle ride through the surrounding countryside.

One question I'm often asked is how I fill my time living in a remote part of the world. Well, while resting and relaxing, I try to do as many creative things as possible. Cycling is something I genuinely enjoy. It keeps both my body and mind healthy while giving me an excuse to explore somewhere new.

Our nearest convenience store is a few kms away, with no 7/11 for 15km. If we need anything, we plan, or I head out, making the trip to the shop into something a bit more, listening to music or a podcast along the way.

We have a three-wheel electric buggy, which my wife, Taew, will sometimes follow me in. We meet at a local café for a drink, so we both get something out of the adventure.

While a cycle ride often clears the mind and sparks new ideas, I never imagined I'd end up writing a poem about one. Yet that's exactly what happened. I'm always happy to try something new, so I dictated the lines into my phone as they came to me before putting them together when I arrived home.

Stunning Sisaket Countryside. And Me.

My First Poetry Attempt

Heavy rain fell yesterday 

So, at 6 am, I am on my way

Getting out early to avoid the heat

I’ve no idea which people I will meet

As I head out on my mountain bike

I cannot think of many more things I like

Oh, What a Beautiful Day

There’s no need to get involved in races

I enjoy the views while seeing new places

The kids await the bus for school

As I take on water, to provide me with fuel

The congested city noise of traffic sounds

Are replaced on my route by hens and hounds

Oh, What a Beautiful Day

Strangers greet me with warm smiles

As I continue to put in the miles

The fields with yesterday’s downpours are glistening  

While some favourite songs provide easy listening

Even potential stray dogs want to be my friends

Waving me safely to my journey's end

Oh, What a Beautiful Day

The Waterlogged Fields

Whether it's a bustling city, a quiet village or a country lane with something that catches my eye, different places have always excited me. This is why I spend time on Google Maps trying to work out routes that are new, hopefully interesting, and manageable.

This one was just the job. Testing, but not too tiring. Just under 30km in length. I had the advantage of a stop at our relations on the way back to drink water and have a brief rest. Everything went to plan. Well, nearly.

I was turning off the road that runs through our village into the lane that leads home when my chain came off. I walked the last bit and left its repair to my pit crew. Otherwise known as my 78-year-old father-in-law. For me, it was time for stretching exercises, a shower and then pork, rice, and a fried egg made by my good lady.

The Approach to our Village

It wasn't a remarkable ride by cycling standards. There were no mountains conquered, no personal records broken, and no medals waiting at the finish. Yet it reminded me how much happiness can come from simply getting outside, exploring somewhere familiar from a different perspective and appreciating what is around us.

If you are considering moving to Thailand, you might enjoy my article entitled Living the Retirement Dream in Rural Thailand. The countryside isn’t for everyone, but there are lots of tips in there for wherever you choose to live.

If you’ve any questions or even your own Thai poems, feel free to pop them in the comments box. Please keep them clean. This is a family platform!

Thanks for reading.