After filing my last couple of stories I had some spare time before heading to the airport. One final chance to do a spot of shopping, making sure I have souvenirs for everyone. Today was also an example of things happening when you least expect them – and bit like India’s collapse last night.

I’ve got to the stage of not thinking twice about the driving skills of the tuk-tuk drivers and that was always a recipe for something to go wrong. On probably my last journey after three weeks of some near-misses but no actually hits we had a full-blown prang on the way back from the shopping centre. Speeding up a narrow street a van was pulling out in front of the tuk-tuk; I could see it, surely the driver could? Well, he hadn’t, or he liked a challenge. With his foot on the gas we headed towards a narrowing gap between the van and the wall, it was time to just cross your fingers.

I thought we might just squeeze through. Nope. Clunk, snap, screech. I can’t really use the words that came out of my mouth as we pulled to a sudden halt. Sticking my head out of the cab I could see a very irate guy holding up his front bumper. My driver obviously had certain priorities; first he checked his tuk-tuk, which had a huge dent in the side, then went to placate the van owner.

Anyway, no major damage done – except to the bumper, and in many ways it was an apt end to my time in Colombo. It started, three weeks ago, with a journey through the morning rush hour and it has ended with one final brush with the city’s individual driving skills. The time here has been a real eye-opener, both in witnessing a crop of young cricketers to experiencing the subcontinent for the first time. It is certainly a part of the world I want to visit again. For now, though, I’d best get ready to dig out the thermals – apparently it is a bit chilly back in London.