It was a nice, sunny morning, David was sanding in the kitchen and I was thinking about taking a few shots of my Golden Rod which has recently started to flower. I kitted up my camera with the close-up lenses (all three) and tripod and headed onto the patio - a real sun-trap.

I set down my tripod and all hell broke loose - dashing and wildly barking dogs. I looked down and saw a big adder about three feet from my feet, with Archie standing over it.....it started to move, quickly at first then slowly across the back of our conservatory until it wound itself round the base of a big plant pot. I assume it thought it was well-camouflaged there. I was screaming at Archie to try to stop him from attacking it, Archie was barking and David was totally oblivious in the kitchen with his Black and Decker going full-pelt. It was complete pandemonium. Where was Rosie - the fourth member of our family? Yes, you've guessed it....hiding in the garage with her tail between her legs. Good old Rosie!

The snake tucked itself under the bottom of the timber of the conservatory and I was able to get inside and get David for help.

Me - I was completely TERRIFIED and David was really EXCITED - he'd never seen an adder 'in the flesh' in the garden here though he'd heard me talking about seeing them before - I think he'd thought till now that they were harmless grass snakes and I was imagining the fact that they were adders. Not so! Now he knows I'm not exaggerating and has issued me with warnings about being careful and vigilant - especially in the sun.

I have such mixed feelings about these creatures - I am terrified of snakes and really worried about one of the dogs getting bitten but equally I feel really excited to have an endangered species living in the garden. What a dilemma that is!