The Honolulu creepers and the Spider Lilies of the west garden has been on the fence for the longest time – more than 20 years. And they have been through thick and thin. The creeper has survived eradication from one home-owner to the next, hibernating as a decapitated trunk, to emerge and flourish once again whilst the Spiders have survived generations of snails as they chewed and conquered their way through the lilies grove. The Singapore August is no autumn. But it is cooler as the vile sweltering heat of June fizzles itself to oblivion under a mixture of grey skies, thunderstorms, and the rustle of whittled leaves that heralds the end of the South-West Monsoon season.