Mango rains

 

11th March 2026

Most of the time it's hot and dry now, getting hotter every day as the air quality gets worse, with no real rain for weeks. And then once in a while the skies cloud over and a heavy shower arrives. This is known as mango rain, because the mangos are in flower. Suddenly the mountains reappear and everything feels fresh and alive.

Mango flowers

Nothing major to report for late February, early March other than an exciting day spent filming on set with a Chinese film crew, our tenants finally handing in their notice (leaving on Sunday 15th) - oh and a marriage proposal.

In the evening light after a rain storm

The hillside digging continues apace. They are now taking away stone and soil to sell elsewhere

The resident skinks are back again, now the weather is hotting up. They need to be wary of next door's cats, who in turn need to be wary of the Red-necked Keelback that Josephine has spotted

Sunset beer by the Mekong and the paddlers were practising for the boat races later in the year.

We were sitting in a riverside cafe a week ago when a young Chinese guy approached us and asked whether we would consider joining them next day to appear in a short film. Our default would be a firm "No" of course (we're English!) but somehow we ended up agreeing

As it turned out it was fun. We had to play an elderly couple sitting in a cafe (hard to believe, I know). The storyline was that the female lead sees us and is reminded of her recently deceased grandma! Here's me on set. We were paid in coffee and croissants (which the continuity guy had to keep replacing when Trevann ate them!)

The young star checking the rushes. We look forward to seeing the final film.

It's a great time of year for butterflies

Yes, we've decided to get wed. Sadly less romantic than financial but it seems a sensible step after 43 years together. We can't get the dates to work for April but hope to set it up for September. Registry office, two witnesses, cheap as chips!