Two wonderful things took place yesterday which just about made my week! The first was that Barney swam!! More on that later. The second is that I saw a Viper - or Adder, as some call them. This is the first I've seen in over 3 years, the others all being on the gorse laden high part of Par beach, and I am a very happy camper! I adore snakes and spent many happy hours as a child in Wales watching Grass Snakes, Lizards, Slow Worms and Vipers, lying out on boulders, soaking up the morning sun in the meadow adjacent to our cottage. I often picked them up - Vipers included - to get a closer look! Here is the very young lady I saw yesterday. She was newly born, just a few days old and I'd guess leaving the nest to start out on her own. She was crossing a wide part of the path so I followed until she was safely through the fence onto the heathland beyond. Although only around 14 cms, (fully grown she will reach 50-60cms), she coiled, raised up into the 'S' bend, and hissed a number of times, feeling my presence. Her mother would have been proud! ^=^ Theses snakes are protected here, thankfully! Now I know they are here, I shall keep a look out for them. Oh happy days! ^=^ Thank you for taking the time to look!