The rat trap works! Two young and one mature have been caught so far. As far as I can tell there is just one mature individual left clambering up the pole and grabbing leftovers from the birds' peanut feeder. I saw it yesterday on top of the trap, and have a feeling that it has realised what it is and how to avoid going in it.


It is a measure of the rat's intelligence that it manages to work out how to get to the food in the trap - it is quite a complex thing to get into - but, perhaps, the greater intelligence is in knowing not to go for that food. However, Mr (or Mrs) Rat, in the words of the 1979 Blondie song, "One way or another I'm gonna find ya, I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha".

Speaking of finding; on a recent plant viewing thing that Clare did with a local plant viewing group, she came across a really attractive viaduct, only about ten minutes' drive from us. I didn't know it existed, but it clearly does - we have now driven over it and under it, and here is proof positive - as if my word weren't enough!


In preparation for our next visitor - Clare's Dad is coming in a couple of days to look after the hellhounds for a couple of weeks whilst we are in the UK witnessing some nuptials being spliced - we have done some more work in the old bread oven room. There is still a long way to go, but I thought you might like to see what we have so far achieved. There is now a TV with satellite feed and DVD player, a stereo stack (which I shall link in to the TV to provide better sound), a rather nice sofa and, out of picture at the back of the room, a double convertible settee to provide sleeping accommodation if needed. Having cleared out most of the junk, and having moved the woodworking equipment into the workshop, this was our starting point:


Under the tartan cover in the corner was a very heavy china sink and drainer, on top of which we had placed some board to make a level surface. The whole thing was supported on what we thought were simple concrete blocks, but which turned out to be so much more. Built into the wall and floor they were, as we suspected, hollow concrete blocks. What we did not suspect is that each had been filled with concrete strengthened by no less than five reinforcement bars on each support, these bars being sunk into the floor and wall! Removing that lot gave us a few hours' work, I can tell you. Nonetheless, it was done, and this is the result so far.


There is no communication between this room and the main house. The external door is quite old and solid, and secured by a key that would be the pride of any medieval gaoler!


Tuesday, the day Clare's Dad arrives to look after the hellhounds, is Clare's birthday. I hope she will be pleasantly surprised with her present. Those of you in the know - only two more days to keep it under your hats!

Speaking of hellhounds (another smooth transition between disparate subjects), they really are comfortable together. Sometimes like yin and yang ...


... sometimes more like bookends ...


... and rarely, if ever, a cross word (no picture to go with that)!

We shall be away from home from 2nd to 12th October inclusive, so I'm not sure to what extent I shall be able to give updates for a week or two.

Have a good week.

À la prochaine