Ghana Community Project 01 Part 01 Aquaponics ICB Tank 🐠

This title and the follow on ones, are to cover a fairly major set of local social developments. The aim is to put in motion something from our project team, which will be sustainable within the local Tema community adjacent to our construction site. What indeed could we think of for kids and adults alike which was not to big, interesting, sustainable and also create a bit of fun. 

Here at work we have been conscious for some time of the need to "give" something back. The various companies in the area all support community projects.

We as a project team, had already done a full sized football pitch, sports areas and running track.

Now time for something a bit smaller from us as a Client team for the schools. Something a bit more academic. On our site, several of us have got together to try and do something more..

In our case we decided that we would provide some small scale aquaponic systems to the local schools. A schematic (copied off the web) is shown below.

We're making these systems up in kit form at work. Then deliver the kits to the schools so the kids can put them together and learn about planting and growing fish. Will also be powering the system using solar panels.  So a lot of small scale technology and indeed an exciting learning project for the schools. Our company's local community representatives have been very enthuastic and taken this on board. Already they have visited schools, talked to teachers as seen below.

MEETING THE SCHOOL TEACHER

They have identified good locations to establish the tanks. As importantly they have volunteered to follow up making sure plants grow. Fish are fed and that it keeps working.... All very positive.

We've got the tank ready and set it up for a dry run. Well actually with water running!  Hardly dry...... Later we will add stone, plants and fish......

Hua Hin Rayong return

Hua Hin and back                  

We (that’s, Rene, O, Wanna and myself) had been planning a trip to Hua Hin for some time. Really we have been planning a bike trip but every trip needs and purpose. Going to Hua Hin at this time had a good purpose as it was to visit Ryan, a chap who had recently set up an aquaponics system. He had recently decided to set up an aquaponics system on a small commercial scale with lots of room for expansion. While doing tis he has made some very informative videos on the subject all posted on Utube. It was through the utube that I got in contact in the first place. Small world as he also knew some mutual acquaintances/growers in Thailand so some synergy there as well. Ponic Wars

Anyway suffice to say we had good reason to head off to Hua Hin. Hua Hin is famous in Thailand as being where the King has a Palace. It is a beach city with all the amenities to be expected. So off we went. It’s about 350 kilometers from Rayong. Rayong Hua Hin rtn

Route takes you up into Bangkok then across the main Chao Phraya River and down the west side of the gulf of Thailand. Being on motorbikes we are not allowed to use the toll roads which in this case did not make so much difference. The frontage and main dual carriageways are more than adequate for us. And a beautiful bridge over the river. All in all a good trip. Stopping off for coffee breaks and giving our backsides a break !!!! Long ride on a hard seat and I did find most of the potholes.

Only thing we did not could on was rain. Yes I know every day beautiful sunshine and then entering Bangkok we hit the tail end of a storm. I think we missed most of the rain but drover through plenty of water. Chao Phraya 

So Saturday morning saw us leaving early about 06.30am. First coffee stop.

Beginning of the trip

Rene and O on the move

Reason being we planned to get an early arrival in Hua Hin and then plenty of time with Ryan.  We left on time and met up with Ryan about 1.30pm. Then round to his farm and a spent a good few hours discussing the ins and outs of aquaponics farming. Most of the time was spend on looking at his system and discussing with Ryan his approach. And it was impressive stuff. Early days and he will only get better at it for sure. Rene could not wait to get back home and play with his set up and me, my brain cells were worring around as well. Well I was in my mind already designing my next system… So yes a very useful visit.

We have dinner in Hua Hin. Nothing special. However the most noticeable thing to me about Hua Hin was the number of old retired European tourists around. Loads of them. A sort of Pattaya 40 years older !! If you’ve been to Pattaya you will know exactly what I am talking about. If not forget I mentioned it.

Coming back on the Sunday was easy. Unfortunately it was the same route in reverse, However we did make one small diversion to stop off at Wat Hua Hin a famous local temple. 

Then back home. I could add a lot of photos of us on the road but honestly most dual carriageways look very similar. Next trip will probably be to Koh Chang, or down the bottom eastern most part of Thailand. Why ? Cause it’s there that’s why

New Years Eve

Firstly a very Happy New Year to all my readers.

The last 12 days have gone in a blur. We have been busy on the house,  made a new orchid shade area. Its 6 meters by 6 meters, went up to Chiang Mai for Christmas, which was great catching up with a lot of old friends,  while there we went to Doi Interdon highest place in Thailand at 2565 m above sea level. Hardly super high but it is the foot hills of the Himalayas, and then we visited an aquaponics system under construction and now getting ourselves ready for tonight s party. Oh yes forgot.  We bought a small rice field.  Seemed like a good investment located along a small canal so always has water.  Shot a quick movie. Area is about 4000 square meters, about acre. Should be a good investment.

On our travels I saw a custom make chopper motor bike.  That's next years project, after the house, after the aquaponics and after the garden being tidied up and after changing our car etc etc. So maybe I'll make do with the photos of the bike and that project will get put back to 2014...

A few days back the local school had a camping weekend for 10 local schools. Very well organised. The whole sports area was taken with tents on the perimeter and a small fire set up in the centre. During the evening we could hear the singing and general sounds of a massive fun evening being had by all. I passed by to take a few photos. Surprise surprise the girl in the photo is my next door neighbour. She had great fun telling everyone I was the foreigner living next door... I think she got a bit of kudos from it all.

Took the dogs out and managed to tire them out. At least for now. I don't know where Tiger gets his energy. He can run at about 30-35 kilometers an hour.  Good job I'm on a motor bike.

Shade cloth took forever to get right. Kept catching on the concrete posts. Next up is installing water sprinklers and some power. Plan is to have extra storage water tanks and some solenoids to run a decent irrigation system. One more thing to do in 2013. Work seems to be coming a more and more distant thing.... Lets see what 2013 brings in that side of things.

Yesterday we added the lights to the Jetty. One either end. Difficult to see in the photo but they are there. One on left is 6 meters high the one on the right about 12 meters. The 12 meter one is for the UV, which can be seen from afar by insects. Yes I know weird, but the fish love it....

Tonight is party night.  And yes we are hosting it on our new Jetty.... ....Mainly family and a few friends. Just got to set up some lights and music and we're good to go. Others are organising the food and drinks. Wonderful here in Thailand. We need ice and it will be delivered form local shop. Beer and whiskey the same.  Food well everyone brings something.

I think I'll stop there with my ramblings. Seem to have covered enough for today. One last thing. We decorated the outside of our toilet yesterday. There had been a pipe coming through the wall. The hole was patched up with cement morter but Wanna yesterday added a flower to cover it.  Add on a few baskets etc starts to look good. Go on smile.....

Happy New Year.

House Goings On

Roof of house slowly going up. Guys have been busy with final days of rice harvesting. So little got done over the weekend.

I've been busy setting up my aquaponics system. Siam-aquaponics Thats it for today.

Le Weekend

Busy time. Started off on Saturday Morning attending a weeding in the village. We did not really know anyone but a distant relative of Wanna's was getting married. She had been round earlier to invite us so along we went. Started at 08.30 am. We arrived before the groom. Here it is the custom for the bride to stay at home and the groom then arrives in a procession. Goes onto the house and there is a religious ceremony. Lasts about 45 minutes. We sat outside as it was crowded inside. I did not mention that on arrival we were fed breakfast. So before the groom arrived we were full. Enjoyed the time and chatted with a few guests.  Than back to the house.

Where great excitement. Informed there were about 20 Harleys parked up at the shop just down the road. Had to go and have a look.

Later spent the rest of the afternoon round at a farm relaxing having some Bar B Q fish. Lovely spot. Beautiful view.

Then we set up the additional trays for the aquaponics and increased the storage capacity. All takes time and time flys...

And to top it all off Wanna made a lovely breakfast this morning. Must go, I need a rest....

House Extension Foundations

Well finished the jetty, except for the lights, plastering to steps and replanting etc etc etc. So nearly there. Started on the house extension foundations.

Also with Owen up here we, yesterday visited a Harley Davidson shop. Might be another project in the coming months.

Another thing.  I was on facebook today and found a page on 'Aquaponics Thailand'. Followed it up. Now planning on trip to Bangkok Saturday to the Homes and Garden expo at Impact Conference Centre, to catch up with a few other interested parties. Should be fun.