Denta chew ...?

I wonder if the lead capping on this gate post is actually being consumed by the squirrels or if they are just gnawing to blunten their gnashers!!!!  They don't seem remotely interested in the wood underneath. .. a bit odd!

First snow today .. came as sleat really... 
Plumber came to fix a leak in the the drain valve for the aga.. a beastly tight job which the plumber muttered about all day.. however .. he managed it.. but guess what.. having relit the aga.. the valve is once more leaking!!!!!!!!!!!  Back goes the bottle... drip drip drip drip...