Some time on and a brief update. I have continued to 'lurk' here but haven't participated otherwise.
We didn't end up with a BRB; instead we fell in love with a columbian rainbow boa (called Ida). A few months in and she managed to escape her viv. She managed to slip between the glass panes. We looked everywhere for her and followed all the tips of how to track your snake in your home but to no avail. A few weeks later and we all had to return to the UK for a spot of work but we have people house-sitting. After a total of 5 weeks the house-sitters were watching TV when she slithered past. Can you believe it?
She's nearly a year and a half old now and looking good. She's a bit temperamental when it comes to feeding but she eats when she's hungry.
We moved away from Stellenbosch and in to Greyton. This is a snake haven. Within 2 weeks we spotted a harlequin, boomslang, puff adder and cape cobra. Now we've mingled with the locals I'm shocked at how often they (or their gardeners) kill any snake they encounter in their gardens or house. We came across a particularly large male puff adder 2 weeks ago but we made the effort to catch it and release it somewhere safe. Now I'm determined to learn how to safely catch and release snakes, since there is only one other chap in the village that will make the effort but he hasn't either had any proper training and admits he wouldn't mind someone else take on the challenge.
I'll be attending the next CT course just as long as I am not away for work.