SOMETIMES I’m the first one up and about in my household. But not often.
The other morning I stumbled through to the lounge, still rubbing sleep out of my eyes.
I saw a snake curled up on one of the couches, it’s perfectly formed head facing away from me, thankfully.
ALSO READ : My Take: Savouring the World Cup victory
Suffice it is to say, I was jolted instantly awake. So wide awake that I could now see clearly enough that it was in fact a plastic snake. A toy.
A few days later I dropped the family car off at the car wash and my heart stopped for a split second when I noticed the same reptile on the back seat.
I know the blokes at the car wash quite well and so left it there, just for some fun.
When I returned a few hours later, having forgotten about it, the snake was peeping out from under some paper on the front seat.
Another heart-stopping moment. “Touché,” I smiled to myself.
Enough of the pranks.
Some snakes are dangerous creatures and while I don’t subscribe to the ‘the only good snake is a dead snake’ theory, I certainly don’t want one slithering around in my home or car.
Recently, I got the chance to play in the KZN Interclub golf tournament at the beautiful Umdoni Park, Selborne Park and Umkomaas golf courses.
Some of the chatter centred around just how many snakes there were at these courses, especially the two parks.
The joke was that even the caddies refused to search in the bush at certain holes. “No way. You hit it there, you find it.”
“If you get bitten by a mamba, how far is the nearest hospital and how long do you have to get there? ” one golfer asked, jokingly, but also with a slight tremor in his voice.
It’s a fair question.
Still, the coastal bush is beautiful and important to keep in its natural state for as long as possible, snakes and all!
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE
