“I thought this was a blog about cycling”, I hear myself commenting.
“Had this been a play written for radio about experiences on a bike, that would make sense”, I point out. “But loving the world from my saddle doesn’t mean forgetting about all the inspiration and ideas that exist off of my perch does it?”
“What, are we going to hear about Jeremy Corbyn and Dennis Skinner and ‘that lot’ then?”
Firstly, they are not ‘that lot’ and secondly, I’d prefer to focus on things that are a little less controversial right now, but still based on wanting a better world. For now, we’re considering Hedgehogs and Frogs, because they’re important to me right now … Nothing to say now? A Cat got your tongue?
Talking about Cats, there are 4 of them gradually taking over my life, which is small enough as it is. I love them so dearly that I am frequently engulfed by waves of protectiveness & adoration, especially when they’re sleepy funnily enough. This is an experience, of course, shared by the majority of folk around the world who care about their children …. I’m convinced that, whilst I am morphing into that strange and quirky phenomenon known as ‘madcatwoman’, they are (meaning the Cats, not millions of caring parents) becoming almost teddy-like, melding into the most adorable characters, in part due to the extortionate amount of love and attention that they receive.
“Enough of this nonsense” I hear you say and this time, I’d have to agree. I was, after all, telling you about the importance of Hedgehogs and Frogs. What they share, amongst other things, is their ability to eat Slugs and Snails, commonly known as Gastropods. Said Gastropods are also threatening to take over my existence. Despite frequently relocating dozens of their flourishing population by torchlight, this made little difference to the plight of the diminishing Petunias, Salvias and vegetable plants. All except for the Rocket, which I guess tastes too peppery for a Gastropod’s refined palate.
“So?”
So … we don’t need toxic slug pellets. I really don’t like using them or the idea of poisoning our soil any more than it is already. We need ponds in our gardens for the Frogs or hope that there are hungry Hedgehogs in the neighbourhood. I even have a friend who’s been making Hedgehog boxes, with the help of a lovely local park ranger.
The dilemma I have is, as with having to stop feeding the garden Birds … yes … Cats.
