I've been living on my own for the past two months; Eveline's mother who lives in France, was taken ill so Eveline went over to look after her. She intended to be away for a month, but one month stretched into two and (with any luck, oops!) may even extend to three. I've LOVED being completely alone with only my dogs for company; I keep discovering how much I've changed and adapted to life in the bush, and it thrills me to know that I can take care of myself and deal with baboon spiders - BIG MOTHERS - red romans - don't ask - and lots of things that go bump in the night. I went to the loo one night, well it was early morning actually, about 3am and as I sat on the loo, I saw out of the corner of my eye a movement in the bath. The bath is next to the loo, - it being a very small bathroom - and the distance between bath and loo is about ten inches. I turned my head and as I did so the head of a snake appeared over the side; I could see that it was long and quite thin, but quite what make it was I couldn't say. I knew it wasn't a spitting cobra from the shape of the head, but although unsure of it's provenance, I knew it could probably finish me off quite easily. We looked at each other, I remained perfectly still and, curiously enough, completely unafraid. I was also unable to move as I was mid pooh at the time. I lowered my gaze as I believe snakes, like monkeys find direct eye contact threatening. We continued to hold our positions, both of us completely motionless, and at the same time, I finished my contribution to Nature, and Stanley snake looked for an exit via the plug hole, which of course was far too small to accommodate an escape. So I decided to make mine! I moved noiselessly to the door - without first flushing - left and closed it quietly behind me. When I returned some hours later in order to flush, there was no sign of Stanley and we had both survived our encounter unscathed. I believe he got in through the open window; so I now make sure it's closed at night!

My plans to go to Cape Town have obviously had to be put on hold; one of us has to be here in order to look after the dogs. I've also been having some heavy dental work done and can't go anywhere until that's over, which I understand will be quite soon, thank fuck. And the weather has been horrendously hot for weeks now with temperatures in the early 40's which, trust me is EXTREMELY hot. The humidity which accompanies it makes it unbearable, and ...read more