Mouse Buster!

No, not Archie - the plug-in gizmo!

Yesterday afternoon and all evening, in fact, Mr Mouse joined us in the lounge!! Along with Mrs Mouse and several of the kiddiwinks. (Actually, it may just have been the same two). They came out and frolicked from every wall and from under every sofa and chair. No fear whatsoever. They're tiny wee things - just bigger than a Malteser, but smaller than, say, a Ferrero Rocher.

Archie was useless with his lampshade on, and he was usually facing the wrong direction. Uncle A came for tea, and at one point there was a wee mouse leaping up at the door, but Uncle A was facing the other way, so while JR. and I exchanged horrified glances, Uncle A was blissfully unaware. So was Archie in his lampshade.

But... I sent for what I hope is THE SOLUTION. Next day delivery! A plug in thingie that drives them away. No traps, no poison, no chemicals. It 'alters the existing electromagnetic field in the house' and so persuades them to move out. Fingers crossed that they will all depart to the house next door, which has been empty for four years, and is probably where they're all coming from.

Archie looks skeptical...

The Aga Saga man came this morning at last. We have four possible courses of action:

1) get a new, slightly smaller stove (£££££s)
2) replace the wooden mantelpiece and fire surround with a marble one (£££££££s)
3) attach some sort of protective stuff so that the wooden fire surround is protected (££s, but will look weird)
4) do nothing, carry on as usual (free)

Needless to say, we are choosing No 4, and getting the chimney swept. It seems that measurements and regulations vary such a lot and we're only talking a few mm out.

A blissful night's sleep. For me, though not, I suspect, for Archie, who wore his lampshade. He's back to normal today - frisky and silly and lampshade-free.

Just finished Harold Fry - I'm an emotional wreck. I don't think I can move straight on to the sequel yet...

Check out our mouse friendly doors! Previous owners had shagpile carpets and just sawed the ends off!