I was going to write a serious post about getting my manuscript to the publishers and reinstating my vanished website, but I have spent this evening rushing to the glass back door to shine a torch on the hedgehogs just outside.
So, I have some very bad photos of the Big un and the Little un trying to eat out of the same flower pot. When I first heard the thumping noise and went to look the Big un was hunched and immobile over the front edge of the pot, while the Little un bumped the back end, moving the pot in every direction. Then the Little un came round and tried to push the Big un out of the way, but he just went further into the pot and sat on the food. 
Eventually the Little un gave up and went round the back to feed on the scraps that fell through the holes, while the Big un munched his way through the nibbles. 
When I next looked there was no one in sight, and some food still in the pot, but a while later the Little un returned. He polished everything off, had a little wander and disappeared into the night. I have seen variations of the battle on several occasions now. 
I’d love to know their relationship, but can’t work out.
A couple of photos from the amazing and unique Hauser and Wirth garden and gallery at Bruton in Somerset. The galleries are full of beautiful, moving and astonishing sculptures, but you may not photograph them. 
Green Writing Room 
I love the las shot of the hedgehog. Very cute.
I was just glad he/she got his feast after all the work he put in.
TOTALLY adorable, Hilary ! I can easily understand your being thus distracted ! 🙂
The H & W garden – glorious long grassy things ! Know what they are ?
That was good for me, I looked up the ornamental red grass, it is Imperata cylindrica Rubra Red Baron… try that on your local garden centre.
I would – if I had anywhere to plant it. But I like VERY MUCH knowing what it is. Thank-you, me old china ! 🙂
The hedgehogs are having a great time. Scupture gardens are great places to visit.
The hedgehogs have given me so much pleasure. I only hope they will forgive me as they will be abandoned unfed for 10 days in the near future. Some of the sculpture was marble with stories relating to war, and there was a very beautiful collection of human bones.
Delightful post Hilary! Sorry the sculptures couldn’t be photographed.
They didn’t even sell postcards, so it was see it or nothing.
I love this, Hilary. Little Un has spunk to try to push Big Un, that’s for sure.
It’s very funny, because he makes not the slightest impression on the Big un… but you’re right, he has no plans to give up.
Hungry little fella.
Indeed, but I hope they don’t depend on this as we will be away for a bit in the near future.
I think your Hedgehop may be the subject of a book you need to write. Just a thought…
When/if I get back to my novel I hereby pledge to put a hedgehog in it somewhere.
Can we adopt any spare hedgehogs please. They seem to be in short supply here. What a shame that you can’t photograph the sculptures.
I am 2/3 of the way through lifting the turf for my rose bed. Soon I shall be ready to dig in the horse manure. Gardening is becoming addictive.
You have set up a train of thought, I wonder if you can adopt hedgehogs. Worth an enquiry at a sanctuary for a breeding pair?
I guessing that Hauser and Wirth have some interesting principles – that you should appreciate the sculpture in the moment.
Gardening is totally addictive, and it doesn’t matter if things don’t work out because there is another season to try again. I needed you at my elbow today; the Golden Rod was humming with insects in the rare sunshine and there were many I didn’t recognise, among them a sort of fly with an orange bottom?
For garden wildlife I recommend Richard Lewington’s guide. I don’t know whether it includes orange-bottomed flies but it may. I was digging this afternoon and snapping Tufty. I need a herbaceous border. My sister-in-law has a wonderful wild garden full of buzzy things, fruit, veg, plants, the lot. I hope next year I can do better. I suspect I could adopt hedgehogs but they may be thinking of hibernation soon. I know I am.
Yes, perhaps next year for the adoption process. You’ve sort of moved mountains already this year.
I’m always happy to know that someone, somewhere, may be eschewing paperwork in order to watch hedgehogs. It’s interesting that the garden/gallery didn’t offer any postcard photos. I ran into that when visiting a couple of tourist attractions, lately. Could it be because almost no-one writes postcards anymore, and everyone has a camera phone?
I have lived on my computer for the last six weeks and by 9.30 pm a hedgehog is irresistible… in fact I just went to take a peak, but no show tonight.
I think the no photos and no postcards is on principle in this gallery. They want you to look at and appreciate the work in situ.
I’m a big believer in that….though in these parts, with all the photographing, it feels like a fuddy-duddy old fashioned way…..keep to your hedgehogs 🙂
I love the hedgehogs, Hilary! There must be a children’s book in there somewhere!
Yes, so many books to write, so little time!
You’ve got your very own episode of Wild Kingdom going on in your backyard! Oops. Did I just date myself by referencing that show?…
I’ve never heard of Wild Kingdom, so I think that dates me even further back!
🙂
Great post, Hilary. We have a family of hedgehogs that visit every Autumn. Well actually they live underneath the neighbours wallnut tree. It’s great to hear them at night rummaging around.
I love the last photo with the bright leaves.
Have a lovely weekend.
They have been around for years, but last year we realised that they were less and less in evidence and started feeding them. They have given us so much pleasure with their antics since then. I lot those leaves too, but I have so far failed to grow them in the garden.
Have a great weekend too.
I can’t be sure of their relationship, Hilary. But I’d say they’re married.
You must be right – established patterns (sorry ‘games’) of pointless interaction.
That little critter is so darned cute! Isn’t nature wonderful? It can wander into your yard and sit at a fabulous dining table…and no tip required! The photos of the Somerset garden were so inviting!
I would choose hedgehogs over anything. Except maybe chocolate. Glad you eschewed the serious post for more of these spiky balls of cuteness.
Your hedgehogs are so entertaining. That garden looks fascinating but it’s a pity you weren’t allowed to photograph the sculptures. A little unusual, that.