The Beast

We don't know if it comes from the east but it has been arriving in the dead of night for the past fortnight. Initially we noticed large holes, about 25cm deep, appearing in the flower beds. We didn't think too much about it and just filled them in. However when we regularly saw each morning that a "JCB on caterpillar tracks" had been marauding through the front garden each night we became a bit more concerned. It even had the audacity two nights ago to plough through the bank in front of Jean-Jacque and Nadines house. It appeared to favour areas covered with wood chippings and the light soil on the bulb bank.

We suspected a badger was the culprit. However yesterday the dastardly creature left a clue, he deposited some droppings in one of the holes.

 Further investigation on the internet seemed to confirm our suspicions. We assume he is looking for worms which have risen nearer the surface with the rain we have had in the last few months. Despite his devastation we are very proud of the garden at present as it is tidy and floriferous.......but it wont last, more rain on the way.

I am particularly pleased with the ranunculus (persian buttercups) which I have never grown before and have been a great success.

The badger is not the only unwanted creature in the garden. Our box hedge was killed by an infestation of box caterpillars last year, it will have to be cut down next winter, and we found some yesterday on the variegated box plant in the white bed, despite taking precautionary measures.