An early drama....

Today's blip was taken far earlier than I would have liked and not in favourable or happy circumstances. Early this morning t'other half heard a couple of knocks coming from behind our decepit old sixties-style Gas Fire (which, incidentally we'd like to swap for something much nicer). After some discussion we decided that there was, indeed, something rather hefty residing in a space it had no right to so National Grid were called out to remove the fire tout suite so we could free the interloper.

Within 40 minutes of being called a chap from National Grid rolled up and in double quick time (around ten minutes) had freed the monstrosity (the old fire, not the hefty critter) from the wall ready for complete removal. We opened the Patio Doors and closed the curtains at the other end of the room so that whatever it was would flee in the right direction.... All tensed and ready for the explosive escape we waited as Mr NG removed the fire from the wall..... Nothing.... Silence.... Nothing! After a moment t'other half ventured forth and reached up into the cavity and clutched firmly and removed from the wall one of our regular Woodpigeons who was very docile and well behaved and not at all stressed by being handled. We gently took him/her out to the patio and released him/her gently.

Our newly evicted fluffball was showing signs of difficulty in flying but otherwise seemed in rude health and eventually made a beeline for the pond some 20 yards away to refresh itself after its ordeal. We will be keeping an eye on Fred(a) as he/she hasn't managed to fly and has several rather bent tail feathers but has plenty of hidey-holes and places to seek cover in the garden.

After we'd evicted our new friend we took a closer look at the Fireplace and found another, dead this time, Woodpigeon in the bottom of the opening. This weekend we will be organising a mesh 'cowl' to cover the chimney opening and looking at fireplaces sooner than we had planned to now that the Fire has been removed. So, on the bright side, one of our renovation tasks has started earlier than planned!