h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There's something in the loft . . . I can hear it scuffling around right now.

Its gone quiet ...

I hear it again,

its right by trap door,

Ah, Wazu, I'm not too sure how to say this: have you thought of calling an exorcist in?

Failing that, there's one sure way of discouraging a wee beastie that's less than welcome in the house: borrow a ferret and let it investigate for a bit. Even the faintest smell of ferret will often send wee rodents scurrying for cover, never to return.

If you would like to actually encourage the critter, try baiting a trip-trap with a few bits of white chocolate. It's stuffed with vanillin, which carries well and attracts all mammals.(Leave it there long enough, and you might find me in it)

All efforts to find someone with ferret contacts have failed! But they may, fingers crossed, not be necessary. Last Tuesday, it being sunny, there being a lot of scrabbling going on and my having been woken up early, I investigated. In dressing gown and tennis shoes, armed only with the bed side lamp, (hadn't read your exorcist warning at the time), I finally got up the nerve. It was weird. Nothing. Not a sign of anything. Then the noise started while I was up there! After recovering from '', I realised the noise was from between the tiles and the lining that covers them. I prodded the exact place and there was a squawk. Definitely a 'squawk'. So I reckon it's jackdaws in there. Or starlings.

I need to do more investigating though as it's a little hard to believe *all* the noise has been from there. Sometimes it has seemed very loud in the room next door. I may yet need the garlic and ferrets.

White chocolate? That's almost criminal . I tried cheese the time it did turn out to be a rat up there. It ate the wrong end of the trap off, got the cheese out and scarpered. I resorted to something a lot stronger. That's one of the reasons it took me a while to investigate this time. There's the remains of a rat up there somewhere ... but I couldn't have it chewing on the wiring,
Waz

How about house martins? Had them here last year. Also have a resident bat community. Where nature and man meet.

I've been looking at your Space and am very impressed. Well laid-out and full of good stuff. Will have to do something with mine. Did you make the 'waders' yourself? Any tips you can share?

Also, saw your Journal entry about quinces. I have two quince bushes, which were both laden with fruit last year, and to a lesser degree the previous year. Quince jelly... mmm. However, an over-zealous relative decided to 'prune' them, and I doubt very much whether I will see any fruit again for a long time. Wonder why quince products are not commercially available? Always look out for a jar of something on market/fete stalls and the like.

Interesting piece about the garden. To survive, us humans have to manipulate nature to some degree. Growing your own veg is, to me, one of life's pleasures. I have happy childhood memories of a wild garden too, and the more nature can be brought into my 'civilised' world, the happier I will be.

Finally, also read a thread about people who get involved in conservation in adulthood having had a positive experience of the outdoors in childhood. Made me think, and I realise that it is true for me. Parents who enjoyed the great outdoors, lots of hiking, and a particular high point (for a child) - winning a prize at a Friends of the Earth fete. Thanks for making me think about that!

Sorry if it sounds like I'm stalking you! Just found your page, and everything attached to it, very interesting.

Thanks Epic, for those kind words. And as far as I'm concerned writing on websites is like writing on public notice boards, its all there for reading.

I will post a proper reply later, I'm all out of posting time tonight.
Waz

I have no bats, regrettably, but I do have martins under the eaves. One arrived back on Friday. The first I've seen in the village and on Saturday evening he was sitting in one of nests at the front of the house. I haven't heard whatever was scuffling around in the loft since I got back from holiday a fortnight ago. Its gone very quiet.

I drew the waders using Twinkle's http://www.geocities.com/dragondreamer.geo/ site. It creates table codes for miniature pictures for you. Its fun to play with but the tables take up an enormous amount of space in GuideML.

My quince is supposed to be a cordon, I used to prune it but then gave up. Last year was the first time I had fruit on it in years. Its covered in blossom now, remains to be seen if last year was a one-off. A neighbour had a lot of quinces last year too and took boxes down to the local grocer. He looked very doubtful about taking them but called later to ask for more as they'd sold out in no time. So there is a demand for them.

I had quite a long discussion with The Mixer, who works on a farm about that 'manhandling' comment. It was interesting seeing the view from his side of the fence (as he put it ). I know we need to cultivate the land but I think we've forgotten what truly wild countryside is like, there's so little of it to be seen.

What was the prize, it seems to have made a lasting impression?