Ark stowaways

Our daughter Alyson suggested some time ago that I should mention some less welcome passengers on the good vessel.  I was opening the understairs cupboard some years ago, which we use as a larder. The scene runs as follows
  Me  Arrgh !!
  Kim  What`s the matter?
  Me (slamming door to cupboard) There`s a ruddy  great snake in here!
  Kim ( Re opening door) Eeek !!, there`s a ruddy great snake in here
  Me That`s what I said to you !

  After this brief but entertaining exchange it was decided that Aaron, our grandson, who was staying with us at the time should be sent to bed before we investigated further. The snake was quite large from our initial glance, probably a grass snake about four feet long. When the coast was clear we carefully opened the door and saw...nothing.  The snake was clearly hiding among the items in the cupboard, which is quite low especially at the back. No volunteers were found to crawl into the space, and it was decided to drag the items out one by one with a walking stick and search each one , After the search had been done it was clear the reptile had escaped by the same route he had used to enter. The cupboard is alongside the outside wall which adjoins our neighbour`s barn (see my earlier blog) and the snake must have crawled through the wall, though how such a stout creature could do this remains a mystery.

 Another creature less than welcome was this one found on the mosquito netting. It`s a praying mantis and its air of praying is deceptive as it can shoot out its front legs and give a nasty nip. This one was carefully gathered up in a jar and invited to leave the Ark!
 
 There are more `guests` I could mention but it`s time for lunch. Bye for now!