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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI know it gives you the creeps doesn't it.
DeleteI just love cats' ability to secrete themselves INSIDE something
ReplyDeleteAnything round and warm.
DeleteYuk, 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!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's the only one I've seen so far - one too many, a lot.
ReplyDeleteFour feet away from a rat....ick!!!
ReplyDeleteNot a nice thought.
Deletewhever I live I am only 4 feet away from a bar of chocolate LOL
ReplyDeleteI know which I like too :)
DeleteI certainly believe that, and now I will never think of it again.
ReplyDeleteThis programme said that it was all to do with the increase in fast food outlets and litter being dropped - yuk
DeleteThe cat is too sweet. My flower garden has been invaded by slugs. I am drowning them with beer:}
ReplyDeleteI bet they die with smiles on their faces and slurred speech :)
DeleteIt 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.
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
DeleteEven with our hens, I've not seen a rat for ages. Maybe Freddie the Cat is doing his job better than I'd thought.
ReplyDeleteFreddie can come to Wales for a holiday if he likes.
DeleteWhat 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
ReplyDeleteas she too had a nasty experience last year.
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.
DeleteUgh! 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.
ReplyDeleteI try to put just vegetable peelings as well. It's a job to keep the wildlife out.
ReplyDeleteThat's why we have our cats patrolling Molly, love the photos of your cat.
ReplyDeleteMy 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)
DeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteA rat jumping out of the loo would be my worst nightmare too - how horrible for the people living there.
DeleteMany 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!
ReplyDeleteEeeeeek, how horrible
DeleteOh wow I could have done without the rat tidbit :) hopefully my grey tabby (Ruby) would fend them off!!
ReplyDeleteMe too. How do you train decadent cats - mine prefer soaking up the sun to catching rats:)
ReplyDeleteYes, I knew that. I did a post on rats and had the shock of my life.
ReplyDeleteI often find sweet little mice, those soft, velvety little things n the compost bins. I always let them escape.
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 :)
DeleteHi Molly
ReplyDeleteI 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.
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
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