(Daniel) This morning I woke to the same searing island heat that had forced me out of bed yesterday. Before I slept last night I had decided I would try to get the shock mount welded.  Martin wanted to come too, so he and I drove the long hard track back up the mountain to the town of Ton Sala.

A small workshop just outside town agreed to do the work.  Once again, I did not ask the price, instead leaving the responsibility on the mechanic to do the work for a reasonable cost.  Anybody scoffing at this idea should try it, in a poorer country where values are high and money is low, this is the only way to ensure good work for a good price.

Martin and I ate breakfast while the old man expertly crafted a new piece of metal to fit the gap, then put on a pair of sunglasses and welded it in place.  He even adjusted the tracking perfectly by eye.  Lucky we caught him before he lost them!

As the sun grew stronger in the sky, the man finished his work, charging us less than £10.  He joked that his eye was the best tracking computer in Thailand.  As I drove away in the Wolf I was inclined to agree!

The four of us had talked yesterday about a game of Texas Hold ‘Em Poker.  With this in mind, Martin  and I carried on into town, changing some Thai baht to coins in the bank to use as chips.  Then we returned the two hours along the rough track to Bottle Beach where Rowan and Gabby were making plans of their own.

As we arrived back the heavens opened and rain began to fall, for those who have never seen monsoon rain, this is not just a shower, it is as if the air becomes electric, as lightning flashes, sheets of water, lash down in huge waves soaking everything, covered or not.

We sheltered in the wooden restaurant, drinking beers while watching the downpour, I got a game of Poker going while we discussed our plans for the immediate future.

Rowan and Gabby had seen enough of the Expedition lisfestyle, they were still reeling from the heavy going of Pakistan and had no intention of returning to the Wolf now.  They would take a ferry to the Mainland, then a bus to the West coast where they would travel to Phi Phi Island.

I would stay on with Martin for a while, mainly because the tent was now very wet, and would take time to pack up.  When we had finished here, we would drive to Krabi, find secure parking for the Wolf, then take a boat to the island to meet them.

I felt like I was straying from the Expedition somewhat, it wouldn’t be long before I have to make some serious decisions about what to do next.  For now though I was loosing at Poker, something which I rarely do, time to get the mind in gear!

Beginners luck prevailed, I lost two games to the others. At least they'll be hooked for next time!  Somewhat poorer I returned to the tent to sleep and think.

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