Well, it was more of a close-run thing than I’d care to have happen again, but Marion turned up from the Wildlife Rescue Service and saved the day.

She began by being rather braver (and closer!) with a pair of wire cutters than I would have been:

That didn’t see to be doing the trick, though, and after several attempts on the part of the snake to bite her, Marion switched to the ‘get it from behind’ school of animal rescue:

I might mention in passing that Snakey decided to eject copious quantities of poo at this point, producing a unique smell that I shan’t forget in a hurry. Marion ended up wearing most of it, but we all ended up sharing its essential qualities!

Just before the final snip of the wire-cutters, this was Snakey:

I’d usually try to stroke any wildlife we get on the nose before it darts off, but on this occasion, I decided not to.

As he was finally snipped free, Snakey tried to bite Marion, his rescuer, and me, who happened to be passing (a bit too close) by. But she got him into a storage container easily enough, after which he calmed down. Marion (somewhat bravely in my view!) then popped him on her passenger seat and drove him away for a quiet spell in a veterinary clinic. All being well, she’ll return in a few days to let Snakey loose again, back where he belongs.

There’s never a dull moment around here, I can tell you!