Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2024

Hedgehogs tend to have a litter in June but can sometimes have a second one late Summer. I believe that a hedgehog out in the day is usually a nest-building or nursing mum, but a poorly hog is possible I suppose. I had a similar dilemma the other year but decided that not interfering was the most natural option as long as safe shelter, water, some nesting material and access to food was all available. I hope the hedgehog is well and maybe you’ll capture new hoglets on camera later in summer.

 

Afternoon all, I am so envious @Liriodendron, I'd love to see some hedgehogs here. We're hoping they might return one day as the badgers have been culled in Somerset/Glos I believe.

It's been much cooler today and we both slept better last night, but still no rain unfortunately.
Did an hour's deadheading, watering pots and generally tidying up in the front garden and hope to do the same in the back garden tomorrow perhaps - first gardening effort in nearly two weeks.

Have a good weekend all.

 

I have had a look online (searching for info on European hedgehogs as opposed to Pgmy hedgehogs), and can't really come up with much.
It might be worth ringing Hogsprickle (great name !) sooner rather than later @Liriodendron , just so's they can put your mind at rest (and mine ).

Hedgehogs seem to be having litters very late in the year these days, even as late as early October, which means the hoglets really struggle.

https://www.hornbeamwood.org.uk/pos...hedgehogs-and-baby-hoglet-habits-and-habitats

 

Thank you, @AuntyRach and @AnniD . I'll see if I can email Hogsprickle (yes, great name!) so I can send them some photos from the wildlife camera. I believe I'm right in thinking that male hedgehogs also make summer nests under sheds and the like? "Our" hog looks very much like the one who made a nest under the shed last year. Size, colour and pattern of prickles behind the head are very similar.

There's water accessible but we don't feed the hedgehog, because we're surrounded on three sides by farmland, and have lots of stray cats, plus the odd rat (sometimes in the mouth of a cat or fox, according to the wildlife camera). It doesn't look thin, though, so I guess it finds plenty of wild food.

Yes, @lizzie27 , we're very lucky! We only saw a hedgehog twice in the 13 years we lived in our previous house, in west Yorks, and I'm told they're not that common here either. I only found out recently that they're not native to Ireland (introduced by the Normans for food, I believe, in the 12th century).

 

Hello everyone. OH and I have had a day off. There's a rusty metal sculpture exhibit of Greek gods in the grounds of the priory on the seafront at La Chaume and I wanted to go before the parisians and co descend on the area this weekend. It was also a good opportunity to go to a favourite market with local producers and then on to lunch at a seafood merchant's that has opened a restaurant right over the rocks on the shore. Tide coming in, next stop south east Canada if you sail straight across.





We started by sharing a dish of locally caught queenie clams cooked with finely chopped shallots, parsley and garlic and then went on to have locally grown moules de bouchots and frites, OH with some nasty andouilette stuff and mine à l'indienne with the chef's own spices and chunks of apples and oranges. Sounds odd but it works and is delish.

The sculptures were underwhelming but suitably Olympian in theme I suppose.


but the old priory is lovely and it was only 30C with a light breeze so a nice walk after lunch.

We've brought home spider crab claws and fat gambas for dinner. Slow food.

I hope your hedgehog is OK @Liriodendron. We had them in Belgium but not here as far as we know. There's certainly lots of shelter for them and I put water out here and there for small critters.

Enjoy your evening everyone.

 

Right, @AnniD . I've filled in Hogsprickle's contact form, so hopefully they'll email me and I can send them a photo.

 

Good evening all. I had a nice time today catching up with the old Quiz team. The food today was very nice but you had to order it from a small counter and we were warned that there would be a waiting time. All the different dishes arrived randomly and I had actually finished my meal before the last person had received his. I was not impressed. We do take it in turn to find a new venue and we have been to some good ones and some rather mediocre. Still, its all rather interesting.
@Tui34, when my Mum and Dad lived in Malta they were introduced to caponata and they passed their recipe on to me. It often features at family BBQs.
@Liriodendron, that is such a sweet picture of the hedgehog and I do hope that it is a 'lady in waiting' rather than having something amiss.
What a lovely day you have had @Ergates. I hope you do get a share of the rainfall to help your hydrangeas settle in.
@redstar, I haven't really looked to closely at my plant as it is quite concealed amongst other shrubs but I will make an effort this winter. Enjoy you birthday meal out.

 

Stunning pictures @Obelix-Vendée. Thank you for sharing them with us. Yummy seafood too. I do have to say that I find andouillettes disgusting (sorry to any who like them!) but I do love torchon ham and that would be my go to food with salad and a crispy baguette. Maybe some compté cheese too.

 

Time to sign out whilst I watch GW. See you all tomorrow.

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I hope you enjoy your birthday dinner @redstar.
Your meal sounds good, apart from the andouillettes @Obelix-Vendée. I love gambas.

 

their Wednesday special is Lobster Risotto, might get that.

 

Good morning all!

Although we didn't get any rain (Montpellier was a deluge), the air has cooled down some but there is a raging Tramontane whipping down. In fact, it blew all night. So tiring!!

I hope your hedgehog is all right @Liriodendron and there will be the pitter patter of very tiny feet!!!

Nice photos @Obelix-Vendée Obviously, the heat has subsided somewhat where you are. Seafood is my favourite - I could survive on a desert island no problem!!

I hope you all have a lovely day. I have a wee doggie looking at her watch and telling me it's time!!

 

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A very good morning everyone. Everything is dripping wet outside so I guess it continued raining in the night. Still warm but overcast. The garden is screaming for attention so I'll have to wait and see.

 

Good morning @Tui34. Enjoy your walk with Fizz.

 

My leaf cutter bees were very busy yesterday:

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