On a lighter note. Hildebrand left the bedroom in rather a hurry yesterday. Basking in the sun - on the floor, on my side of the bed, was a beautiful gold and brown Tiger Snake! I think it was the one I'd spotted the day before draped tastfully in the native violets by the back door. About 3 feet long but slim and young. There's a narrow gap below the front door which we should have blocked. Not many people are willing to tolerate snakes - all of our local ones are deadly although they usually give humans a wide berth. We see them as a necesary part of our world. We'd rather not have them hunting mice in the house though. We persuaded it to leave finally. Long story. We all survived it. Me, Hildebrand and the snake. Cheers, Joy