The joys of living in Australia

[Keith Webb]

As we head for a top temperature of 43C (almost 110F) today, and after yesterday's heat of 39C I was having some trouble sleeping so decided to make a culpa around 4AM.

The moon had set and the house was in warm darkness. Walking down the hall to the kitchen I trod on something the cat had brought in, a baby rabbit or mouse I thought as it made a distinct squelching sound as I trod on it.

Turning the light on I was surprised to see nothing at first, then a movement caught my eye on the hall runner. It was a tiger snake, about 18" long looking at me but obviously not in the best condition. The cat was pleased as punch, rubbing me and purring with pleasure.

Think I'll lock the cat flap from now on and he can become an outside animal until hibernation time has well and truly set in.
I'm now having that calming culpa.

And the snake? They are protected here, so let's just say it died of it's injuries which started with multiple puncture wounds from the cat, then helped by being trodden on (I was in bare feet). If if had any fight left in it I'd probably be in hospital now, they're one of the most venomous snakes on the planet.

But I still wouldn't swap Australia for anywhere else!