An early dinner in town, followed by a nice G&T (Tanqueray Rangpur Lime gin of course) in the garden as darkness falls. Peace and harmony - two people and a cat. And then we realise we've got company. There's Something in the bushes alongside the fence.
It's moving, slowly, surreptitiously, rustling and scratching. Getting closer. We sit absolutely still and listen. Whatever it is, it's large enough to move the leaves of the plants as it approaches. First conclusion? It could be a rat. Oddly though, the cat, on my lap, hasn't moved. Not even an ear flick.
Then we see it, as it emerges from the vegetation at the edge of the patio area. In the darkness it's clearly the size of a rat, but indistinguishable in shape. I grab my phone, dislodge the cat (she's like, "What the.....??") and get some light on the subject. In the glare of the torch, caught in an 'uh-oh' moment, is a hedgehog.
It's wary, but not frightened. It retreats - more rustling and leaf waving - then re-emerges onto the lawn not two metres away from us. Apologies for the quality of the video. These little things move surprisingly rapidly so no point wasting time faffing with settings.
"Oh. You again. Do you have to shine that torch in my face?"
"Had enough of this. 'Bye."
And the cat?
"FFS what are you so enthralled with? It's just that silly ball thing I can neither eat nor play with because it's covered in spikes. No, don't try and placate me."
Comments