Therefore we have to be selective and choose a few hobbies and pastimes to pursue and a limited number of subjects to learn about. It's a drag, I know but there it is.

I've always been a firm believer that you should never pass up an opportunity to try a new experience, no matter how outrageous or hazardous. This approach to life has led to my jumping out of aeroplanes, trekking through the Amazon jungle, climbing active volcanoes and many other things besides. It's quite likely that we only get one life (in this form anyway) so we really should live it.

In the past I have spent time flying and horse-riding but time and circumstances have conspired to bring those pursuits to an end. The main things that occupy my spare time at the moment are rifle shooting, guitar playing and keeping snakes! How diverse can one man be?

One thing that does irritate me is that for two out of of those three subjects there is an "anti" group, ie. People with insufficient interests of their own that they spend their time trying to interfere with the pursuits of others.

The anti-gun lobby are a small but vociferous group who seem to be unable to grasp the simple logic that you don't get illegal guns off the streets by taking them away from legitimate and fully licensed sports shooters. After all, shooting was still an Olympic sport when I last looked!

And yes, would you believe it? There are even groups opposed to the keeping of reptiles! Now, I'm a fairly up-together bloke (or "guy" if you're American). I'm well educated and have been around a bit but even I had trouble getting my brain around this one! Most reptiles make excellent pets with the simple proviso that the owner takes the time and trouble to find out the animals needs and provides for them. But no, there are people who will go (and have gone) to great lengths, yes, even terrorism, to attempt to subvert the perfectly lawful and ultimately fascinating hobby of reptile keeping. Luckily, in my experience, those who keep reptiles are the kind of people who don't get bullied easily. The "antis" in this case may be treated as nothing more than a nuisance.