No, not a headline from the Sun, but something that happened this afternoon. I heard a squirrel scampering over the pottery roof and shin down the drainpipe - nothing unusual there. But then there was a loud gnawing noise, and by craning out of the window, I saw the little blighter nibbling away at the lead flashing that protects the top of the field wall.

A bellow of "Oi" soon sent him on his way, but I need to get some Cribox (or perhaps chilli and oil would work?) to prevent his further depredations.

I wonder if he will eventually go as mad as a small furry hatter? I vaguely remember from school history lessons that lead is sweet, which is presumably the attraction. Unless he's planning to excrete some lead shot for nefarious purposes: "Pikey squirrels ate my shed and then shot me" - headline in the Lyme Regis News, next week?