Miho leans out over the Lotus Pond to get a good photo of one of the bright-red flowers when the camera slips out of her hand. Standing next to her, I instinctively lean forward, stretch out my hand (my reflexes, even if I say so myself, are very good) and pluck the camera out of the air with ease.

Just like a movie, the action is in cliched slow motion. But then it suddenly jerks into fast forward like an old Charlie Chaplin flick as I trip over one of the large stones lining the side of the pond and fall flat into the mire.

Luckily, the pond is only about 20 cm deep, so although I'm partially submerged my outstretched arm is holding the camera aloft out of harm's way — just like the scene in "Excalibur" when the Lady of the Lake emerges from the water clutching the magic sword. Or actually, perhaps it's more like a scene when I'm knocked off a bar stool, go sprawling on the floor, but miraculously don't spill one drop of my drink.