Eastern Brown snakes mating on our front grass on Sunday 7 October 2007. They aren't fully grown but you wouldn't want to step on one as they are venomous.

I did a snake handlers course just so I know what to do if a snake gets into the wrong place. I used to be scared of snakes even though I liked them because they belong in the food chain. They keep the mice out of our house.

The day after this event I was watering my front garden when one of these snakes came towards me through the garden. It did not see me so I went away rather than scare it.

The following day I came around the verandah to water my plants and was busy watching the garden bed for the snake/s when movement on the verandah in front of me caught my eye. A snake was on the concrete but it saw me and slowly made its way down into the garden bed and then under a lavender bush.

I scan everything now - just in case. I am gradually removing or trimming my shrubs near the house to remove the hiding spots for the snakes. I don't want anyone hurt, animal or human.