Ants & snails

To my horror, I found ants on the kitchen worktop next to the window as soon as we arrived & had to overcome my repulsion at squashing insects with my bare hands, & my feelings about killing defenceless animals/insects. But, I happen to know that ants inform other ants where they are & if there is any food; & as there were opened bags of sugar & flour I had to act quickly against the invaders. I asked advice from my friendly neighbour M in the medium of dance, & she eventually showed me an aerosol of Raid which I have sprayed in all the cupboards etc after I cleaned them. I have not seen any in the house this week so I think I have eradicated them. I am becoming an expert in mime.

For anyone literary, there are interesting chapters about the social networks of ants in 'Angels & Insects' by A S Byatt. Not the easiest book to read, but persevere and your effort will be rewarded.
PS Patsy Kensit starred in the film version. I laughed (quietly,as I was in the cinema) hysterically at at least one point in the film that is suposed to be serious. Do NOT let this film put you off the book

In the garden, however, it's a different matter. There are ants of different shapes & sizes, & I like watching them. I have something to confess, but as hardly anyone is reading this, I'll tell you. One morning, while eating my Shreddies brought from home,(running out fast!), I saw an ant carrying a toenail clipping of mine that I left there the day before. ( I answered the door & forgot to sweep them up from the decking.) Don't tell anybody; I'm not proud of it. I do not know yet whether any of the ants fly like they did in Corsica. Will let you know if they do.

The snails here are so big that you could have them as pets. They have presence & personality. I have a photo of one somewhere. Rich throws them off the deck into the hedge bottom, where they'll be happier, but I must tell him to avoid throwing them towards the raspberry bushes that I found yesterday, because if I ever find some cream & custard, I will make a raspberry trifle.

Remember Brian from the Magic Roundabout? Time for bed!