G strokes a sssnake!

On my way down to uncover the pool this morning I saw something under the apple tree. I called Mr F and he approached, but nothing moved, was it a dead snake?
He fetched his snake catcher (didn’t you just know he had one?) picked it up, but the snake was very much alive and started curling up his arm!
Long before this I had distanced myself and took this photo from a long way off! All the gîte children were very interested and took turns to touch the snake before Mr F released it over the road.
Today was very hot and humid, and I was mostly in the kitchen with the ceiling fan going, making rhubarb and ginger jam.