what is it good for?

[pensnest]

The Great Pen vs Squirrel War Continues.

This morning I witnessed a squirrel traverse the fishing line from underneath, scurrying along at a great rate. Is there a word for this? I keep wanting to say 'rappelling' but that's not right.

Anyway. I was impressed with the little bugger's intrepidity and permitted it to feast unscolded.

But later, Beast and I added an extra line, *and* strung three plastic bottles lengthwise along the lines between the feeder and the fence. In addition to this extra baffling, the cylinder of food also hangs higher off the ground now that it is supported by two lines.

I cannot so far report any squirrel reactions, but I am anticipating with some glee.


We have also placed a large board over a small hole in the side fence, as there have been muntjak in the garden every day for a week.

*

In other news, my daughter—who is to be hosting us on Christmas Day—reports that her oven has stopped working.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I am loving the squirrel reports!

[copracat]

I had to look up muntjak. OMG FANGS.

[pensnest]

Heh. Excellent.

[pensnest]

They are sturdy beasts, too, and apparently can leap tall buildings reasonably high fences, though I have not witnessed this. There's nothing much in the garden that I mind them eating at the moment, but it will be different when there are tender new vegetables....

[turps]

Those are persistent squirrels!

But oh no, poor Bun. I hope it's an easy fix.

[turlough]

And once again you triumph over the squirrels, go you!!

Muntjaks sound like they could be a bigger garden problem than roe deer. Roe deer is easy to keep out with a fence but muntjaks are so much smaller I imagine they can slip through quite tiny openings. Hopefully you've managed to bar them from yours now *keeps fingers crossed*

Oh no! I'm sending Bun all the good luck getting her oven fixed before Christmas!

[pensnest]

Bun has now reported that a repairman has been in and it is fixed. I hope this remains true!

Boy had a small contretemps with his fuseboard last night. We went over to help him think it through, and discovered to our astonishment that both his ovens are on 13 amp fuses(!) I have never heard of such a thing. But, having reset the RCB switch, they seem to be fine.

I am now eyeing my own ovens with suspicion.

[pensnest]

Muntjak are surprisingly sturdy beasts, and I'm always startled by how large they are. Easily a Labrador, but thinner in the legs, of course. And not as pretty as roe deer! They seem to have been capable of squeezing through quite a small rent in the netted fencing, but we have applied a large board and tied it with wire. No muntjak in the last few days, I'm happy to say!

The squirrel baffling remains victorious so far!