Mrs Down's Diary

"I'd much rather them be here than in our bedroom at night" I commented to John. I seem to spend a good half hour before bedtime swatting Daddy Long Legs, craneflies common name, who have been drawn to our bedside lights through the open windows.

Just when I think I have massacred every last one, another one appears, bent on a suicide mission on the light bulb, or a swifter end from my fly swat. I would not mind so much if they minded their own business and ignored us, but they also seem to enjoy alighting in my hair, crash landing on my face or skidding over my shoulders. And that's after lights out.

"In another way, I'd prefer them in the bedroom than on the grasses" John said. "I'll have to spray for leather jackets soon, because the craneflies will be laying eggs in the soil and the emerging leather jackets will just strip this new grass bare." A friend who has a golf course has just had to do the same thing as grass for the new greens is proving far too tasty for the myriad leather jackets."

For full feature see WSG September 27