Rory (aka Mr Williams)

OK, so a somewhat interesting choice for a blip I know, but may I introduce to you my Muscovy drake, Rory.

For those of you out there who have a passing knowledge of Doctor Who, you'll recognise the name of one of the Doctor's companions. Like the celluloid version, our Rory is accompanied by a parter called Amy.

They're a friendly breed the Muscovies (well ours are). Inquisitive, territorial, sometimes cheeky, Rory and Amy walk up to the house to greet us most mornings and when we return home from work at night. If the back door is left open, like on most weekends it is, they'll sneak into the house too; the tell-tale sound of webbed footfalls on kitchen tiles often giving away their presence.

Despite having a river alongside one side of our property, they're not that bothered about it during the winter months. Summer however is a different story. When the river flow is lower (and not so much of a struggle to paddle against) they're often to be found swimming around in the shallow pools or preening on the rocks.

They're part of the family now, even to the point that they now roost under the house. It's great that our home is now their home.