I wish that I had braked for the snake. Instead I stepped on it.

I was about 12 years old and walking along a forest trail with my dad, grandfather, brother and sister. Beautiful day. Eyes upwards looking at trees and birds.

I hear my dad from behind me telling me that I have just stepped on a snake. He tells me that it raised itself up as if to strike but apparently decided not to do so.

I saw nothing, had heard nothing and just kept walking.

He (my dad, not the snake) was surprisingly relaxed about it, now that I think about it…..

I always felt sorry for that snake. Out sunning itself on the track. Minding its own business. Rudely assaulted by an adolescent human foot.

I am one of those people who do not fear snakes.

No I am not in Slytherin House. Just think that they are extremely interesting.

And amazing to touch. If you have ever been so lucky as to touch or hold a snake you are, in my opinion, not brave but blessed.

Feel like warm silk. Wonderful.

One of my brothers had a pet snake. I always felt a bit conflicted about the little fella being kept in captivity. But in a Gerald Durrell sort of way I was fascinated.

The brother would fetch the little snake from its enclosure and the snake (whose name began with ‘W’ but I can’t for the life of me think of it…Walter, Winston, Wilbur…..Willis maybe…….???), Willis, would be placed upon one’s hand and allowed to settle.

“Just relax. And don’t be afraid”.

I was told that Willis would sense whether you felt fear and respond accordingly. Apparently he would bite anyone who was frightened of him. Probably did little to promote the ‘snakes are fascinating’ line.

With me he would wrap his tail around one of my fingers and then extend his body out, exploring the air. He was lovely. And silky.

Sometimes I have seen a snake when out riding my horse in the bush. It has never been a problem. No rearing horses like in the movies.

Once I looked down and a snake was between the feet of my horse. Horse didnt even see it!

Out here snakes are everywhere but rarely seen.

I would love to see a snake…..and not step on it.