Well this week has been interesting. I've got to know my colleagues and my landlady's family a bit better. (Her daughter had a baby on Tuesday so there is someone else nest door. I went in with a small gift and ended up with a lucky wool bracelet. Mother and son are both doing well.)

Work - Most of the week I have been trying to get my head around the data. It is fascinating to see how different it is from Pailin. It is a far bigger province with 80% rural, which is interesting as I have only seen town. I need Sidney!!

Office - I share the office with the whole planning team. The chief retires next week which is a shame as I feel he really has a good understanding of the data. That will leave 4 others and if one of them is over 30 I would be surprised - I kind of exaggerated when I said 12. They all have basic English so I had started to get to know them before Bunthorn arrived on Friday. When he arrived they stopped talking to me and only went through him - I will have to think of a way around that. They are also very honest about what they need in the way of support.

The actual room is far more what I was expecting. Air conditioning is a thing of the past. You have to open the shutters to let light and air in but that also lets the dust in (there is no glass and I don't actually think I would want it). There are fans which is all I need at this time of year but watch this space when April comes around. There is internet but not Wifi so I am ok, as I have a wire - Bunthorn has to do without.

POE - The director invited me for coffee and has asked me to give English sessions every week for the staff, I said yes because it will be a great way of getting to know people but also I can introduce subjects like assessment and monitoring. It will be fun - I just have to remember to speak slowly - I may ban Bunthorn from coming so they have to speak English.

House - A hinge fell off my front door on Friday morning - gave me the scare of my life as it fell from about 10 foot and landed with a thud. I think if it had hit me VSO would have needed an air ambulance and I would have been in Bangkok (that's their policy for anything worse than a headache). Anyway I explained, in fluent sign language, what had happened and said I would leave that door closed until it was mended. We all smiled and off I went to work. Within 5 minutes of me getting home in the evening two young men arrived - it is now mended.

I am now going to make a green curry in my outdoor kitchen.