Rainy Phuket

It takes rain to maintain 'paradise'

as Big Budha will confirm.

This photo taken from the terrace at the rear of the house.

And to keep the garden looking good,

particularly the orchids and other air plants.

The bourganvilla also enjoy the rain,

before starving themselves

to produce spectacular displays.

No idea of the name of this colourful red,

orange and yellow bush,

but it grows in abundance whatever the weather,

around Phuket.....

I'll call it 'Flambouyant'.

And the amazing 'moonflower'

which normally needs the sun

to build up it's strength for 'showtime' in the evenings,

doesn't seem to mind the lack of sunshine too much.

However! Our furry friends beg to differ!!

A noisy start to the day, with the rain hammering on the roof, but the noise of the rain was nothing compared with the almighty row when, during a short period of sunshine, one of the kittens (the brother or sister of the above) decided to vent her curiosity and fell into the pond. We're already down from 4 to 3, having had one drown a couple of days ago and had I not been around on this occasion, for sure we would have been down to 2.

Mama Mia! Taking care of this lot is stressful!

Had a meeting with Roger (next door) about well's and electric (now that makes for fascinating subjects!) but had to cut it short as friends were due to arrive on the island.

The Queen Mary was anchored in Patong today giving me a chance to get together with Carole & Richard who I haven't seen for almost 10 years. We had an all too brief chat at Nikita's in Rawai, along with Mike & his Thai wife 'Happy', who unbeknown to me, live here in Phuket but who I haven't seen for around 20 years.

Following our gathering and whilst I was in the area, I made an attempt to visit Nai Harn, but the weather decided it had more to throw at us, so I diverted to home.

Now, I have a serious schedule ahead of me tonight, as I need to catch up on 5 episodes of Coronation Street.

Sad Isn't it?

Beachbum.