General Chat

Ashamed to say I was once an unspeakable but I was young and naive then. Not all "country people" are pro hunting.

Not that fond of bunnies either.

Gwynne

Horses for courses. I'm proud to say I am one of the 'unspeakable'. And I don't give a hoot what anyone else thinks of that! Yes, I agree, that not all country dwellers are pro. There are a few who aren't. But there are lots of townies who have relocated who are anti, but they aren't country folk, so they can be blithely dismissed as irrelevant. Mostly the same ones who complain about mud on the roads and the noise of cockerels early in the morning and the bleating of sheep spoiling their bbq's.

But long live the urban fox!

"How many more people are going to be mauled by crazed foxes roaming round the countryside before we do something about it? Eh? It's becoming an epidemic and needs to be sorted now! What's the government going to do about it, that's what I want to know."

I've got an idea - maybe the government could find a group of people who are prepared to dress up in "de you ken John Peel" outfits? Maybe they could be a tourist attraction? Maybe we could give them Arts Council grant?

Or then again, maybe not.....

Sue x

...bit like people who visit the new Forest, complain about the speed limit, stop to 'feed a pony', then wonder why they are kicked or bitten.
Shriek when they see a slow worm or snake and promptly hit it with a stick and wonder why they have been almost eaten alive when they sit on a wood ants nest!

A New Forest pony is unlikely to come to you (and therefore be in a position to either kick or bite you) unless enticed.
A snake has little interest in you - unless you pose a threat - so just keep clear - this only applies to adders. Slow worms and grass snakes are harmless. If you can't tell the diffference, as with adders just leave them alone.
Wood ant's nests are huge - but are not designed for your bum. Look them up before visiting the New Forest, a wood ant can give a horrendous bite - a nest full - well.............

All the above applies to most wildlife - including foxes.
If you don't like them in your garden, get a water pistol or some 'caps' - you know, the old fashioned things that go 'bang' - very good at keeping un- neutered toms out of your garden too!!
But don't winge if you feed the foxes and they then proceed to crap all over your garden and kill your pet rabbit!!!

They're wild animals!!

Personally, I can't stand ponies - the smaller the more vicious. However, this doesn't stop me visiting the New Forest - I just avoid all eye contact with the nasty things - especially during mating season or when they have foals!! I haven't been bitten or kicked yet!

we have snakes in this country **screams**




Yours Hayley the Townie.

We can agree to differ, Eldrick, but I have to say that around here the antis outnumber the pros. The hunt was already banned from many farms by the farmers themselves.

Agree with you about townies moving in and moaning, though. Can I add to your list townies who buy old vicarages then moan about the bells for the 8am Sunday morning service. Not all of them are like that, fortunately, some incomers take an active part in village life and are very welcome.

They keep the pubs and schools open for a start.

Gwynne

Yes, the bells, the bells - that's another one for sure!

I agree that some of the incomers take an active part and that's welcome. Don't know about keeping the schools or pubs going, though. Most of our emigrees are retired or nearing retirement and seem to be teetotal reclusive hermits with gas guzzling chelsea tractors that never get dirty.

Eldrick, do not get me started on Chelsea tractors.

Gwynne