Wednesday 8 May 2013

A Lazy Sort of Day



Been having a weeding, clearing out purple sprouting stalks today. Took a barrow load up to the compost heap at the top of the garden. Whipped off the black plastic sheet to tip the contents. Something big, brown and furry leapt out. I screamed and it disappeared at the speed of light down the side of the brook. it was probably more terrified than I was.



And where were the cats ?  ... yep ... stretched out and fast asleep in the poly tunnel.

Did you know that apparently, according to an environmental programme I watched,  wherever you live, you are only four feet away from a rat.

34 comments:

  1. Horrible thought! We had a rat run past the back door yesterday - Sparky lifted her head and then just continued her feast of freshly caught baby rabbit, and Bennie was snoozing in the poly tunnel, oblivious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know it gives you the creeps doesn't it.

      Delete
  2. I just love cats' ability to secrete themselves INSIDE something

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yuk, I hate the thought of them but have had to deal with a few brought inside since we have been here - most dead but one alive!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's the only one I've seen so far - one too many, a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Four feet away from a rat....ick!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. whever I live I am only 4 feet away from a bar of chocolate LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. I certainly believe that, and now I will never think of it again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This programme said that it was all to do with the increase in fast food outlets and litter being dropped - yuk

      Delete
  8. The cat is too sweet. My flower garden has been invaded by slugs. I am drowning them with beer:}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet they die with smiles on their faces and slurred speech :)

      Delete
  9. It is even worse not knowing what is was. Here it could be many things,none of which I would not like to meet up front and close. The cat has the right idea; hide out and sleep.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have a problem with grey squirrels - it disappeared that quickly - one flash and it was gone, so it may have been one of them. I'll be taking the cover off very gently from now on.

      Delete
  10. Even with our hens, I've not seen a rat for ages. Maybe Freddie the Cat is doing his job better than I'd thought.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Freddie can come to Wales for a holiday if he likes.

      Delete
  11. What a horrible surprise! We have got our compost in a box with a lid and our daughter insisted we did the same at the allotment
    as she too had a nasty experience last year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've got a couple of those green plastic 'dalek' bins too, but they sometimes burrow up. I have seen a grey squirrel in one of them looking for something tasty.

      Delete
  12. Ugh! I knew that fact, Molly, but that's not the same as having it proved in such a way. I always use the plastic compost bins with lids and am very careful only to put material of vegetable origin in them in an attempt to lessen their attractiveness to rats.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I try to put just vegetable peelings as well. It's a job to keep the wildlife out.

    ReplyDelete
  14. That's why we have our cats patrolling Molly, love the photos of your cat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My two cats love their meals in packets and then all they want to do is snooze in the warm (can't get the staff these days)

      Delete
  15. My 3 cats caught one the winter before last, so at least they were doing their job. I do hate rats - my worse nightmare. I was once confronted with one coming up out of the loo when a nest was disturbed - not in my house, thank goodness. The place had to be fumigated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A rat jumping out of the loo would be my worst nightmare too - how horrible for the people living there.

      Delete
  16. Many years ago, during the winter, I put my mittened hand into a chicken feed barrel, and sensed a movement, but the room was dark. I flicked the light on and went back to look, and there was a rat. I had the shakes and shivers for a while after that, just thinking about it. In fact I still do as I write this. Rats....ugh!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh wow I could have done without the rat tidbit :) hopefully my grey tabby (Ruby) would fend them off!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Me too. How do you train decadent cats - mine prefer soaking up the sun to catching rats:)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yes, I knew that. I did a post on rats and had the shock of my life.
    I often find sweet little mice, those soft, velvety little things n the compost bins. I always let them escape.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I worked in Environmental Health, the young lad covering pest control duties could not bear to kill the mice so he used to trap them in one place, take them off in his van and loose them out somewhere else. Don't think powers that be ever realised that one :)

      Delete
  20. Hi Molly
    I did not know that I'm only four feet away from a rat. I find that very hard to believe, but I guess I have to believe it because I'm not in the know about such things. I never see any around here, not even any mice. (I think the three kitties keep them away). Rats are creepy creatures for sure. Mice don't bother me and I wouldn't set a trap for one. I can't bring myself to even kill a spider in the corner.
    Your kitty is so adorable. They love the sun and warmth. I find mine sprawled out on the carpet in the east sun every morning when I get up. I hope you're enjoying beautiful spring weather Molly. It has finally arrived in these parts.
    Happy week to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Becky, lovely to hear from you. We did have a couple of days of wonderful sunshine - but today rain, rain, rain and grey all day. have a good week xx

      Delete