[motto]

Many years ago a friend from Brisbane and myself went down to Grafton to look at some gear and the lady who owned the property went in to open up the shed for us. She came out and told us there was a snake in amongst some packing material just inside the big doors and gave us a shovel each so as to take care of it. We carefully slid the doors open and positioned ourselves ready for action. I put my shovel under the edge of a sheet of cardboard and flicked it away to reveal a good sized tiger snake. The snake was trying to escape but couldn't get a grip on the smooth concrete. What then took place would have won a prize on Funniest Home Videos as we went into a shovel clanging frenzy spoiling each others aim time and again as the snake writhed around on the floor. The situation was only saved when I stood back and left George to it. I thought it was hilarious but the poor snake didn't see it that way.

As an aside, my late father who was something of a bushman would kill any snake he encountered and if there was nothing to hand to kill it with I've seen him grab them by the tail and crack them like a whip. When this is done correctly the head is torn off. I can't even crack a whip so I know damn well that if I tried it with a snake I would end up with it wrapped around my neck.

My most recent encounter with a snake was somewhat of an education. I was standing in the doorway of Simon Allen's shed (He who manufactures new Dodge Command Car bodies) chatting with him when a mouse went past outside squeaking in terror and kicking up puffs of dust as it hurtled across the yard with a 3'6" Tiger snake in hot pursuit. I never imagined the damn things could travel so fast, you would have to run quite fast to keep up with it. Just as well they don't hunt humans.

David