Watch your step these stormy nights

The rainstorms during the past week have been really refreshing.

- Roger Crutchley

They've cooled things down a bit which is quite a relief after perspiring my way through April.

I also appreciate the accompanying rolling thunder which provides a stirring theatrical soundtrack for the rain sloshing down. It's just another reminder of how powerful Mother Nature can be.

There was one unfortunate outcome from the wet weather, however. I arrived home during an early evening storm and sprinted, okay "tottered" in the darkness cross our small lawn. Unfortunately in doing so I trod on an innocent snail that had been enjoying a stroll. There was a grim crunching sound which confirmed the snail had sadly become an "ex-snail". I felt quite guilty about my role in the demise of the defenceless mollusc.

There have been previous wet garden encounters with toads and frogs, but at least they can hop out of the way. The snail didn't stand a chance. So for the sake of the Thai snail community, please watch your step on these dark and stormy nights.

Perhaps the most vulnerable creature for being squashed in the line of duty is the jing-jok (gecko). There's probably not a household in Thailand that does not have a family of jing-jok in residence. They are quite harmless and do a good job keeping down the mozzies.

Unfortunately, for all their undoubted skills at walking on the ceiling the jing-joks do sometimes fall off and have been known to make spectacular plunges unto the "soup of the day" at fancy restaurants. Probably adds to the flavour though.

Praising paella