In the last month, whether we visited a campsite or free-camped beside the river, I have to report increasing cases of undesirable visitors to our tent. All manner of unwanted local wildlife seem to want to share our living space. The pesky creatures start to arrive at dusk and continue their attempts until dawn. Desperate for a dry shelter, eager for a warm fold of sleeping bag or skin, or a tuft of hair to nestle in. Midges, beetles, caterpillars, ants, spiders, flies...oh, and slugs.
Slugs can be a particular problem as through their folly they can meet their untimely demise after being rolled on by a heavy, warm human. Peeling the soggy remains from ones clothing or skin can be a rather unpleasant task.
Most of the interlopers have checked out by morning, with just the odd carcass remaining.
And talking of wildlife, did you know that France has a bird that will seek out your tent, perch in the nearest tree, wait until about 11pm and start singing until dawn. Not an unpleasant little ditty at first, its cheerfull tune lasts around 9-10 seconds. Then it repeats it. And again. And so on...
Now, as most people know, I appreciate music, but in my waking hours I've worked out that by 7am it has tweeted its poxy tune 2160 times. A bit like being Robinson Crusoe with only one Justin Bieber record to play. The worst part is, the same bird follows you all day, and hides, soundless until 7pm the next night, when it fires up again.
Anyone got any earplugs?
Love your new little hitchhiker, you should take him along as a mascot for the trip!
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