My neighbours at White House Farm run a small family shoot. They host four shoots a year which involves, amongst other things, providing lunch for about thirty hungry guests. There is a large barn across the courtyard from the house, which is ideal for gatherings and parties and shoot lunches. But then there is always the treck back to the house with the dirty dishes. My neighbour, ever resourceful, decided that a dishwasher would make life easier, so a dishwasher was installed in the barn.

A year ago the first shoot of the new season was held in early November. After lunch, a friend/ colleague/helper, known as the demon dishwasher stacker' because of her ability to get so much in the machine, duly packed it with dirty dishes and switched it on. A few minutes later, my neighbour turned around to see a sea of greasy water surging out of the machine onto the carpet. She quickly switched it off, produced a pile of old towels to mop up the mess and sent for the repair man. On inspection he pronounced that the main pump had been eaten by MICE!

The pest control people were then called in to deal with the mice.

A dummy run' was suggested for the next time-to be on the safe side. This was done, clear water surged out this time. The mice were back. Another new pump was installed. Next time - no problem, but the next time out flowed the dirty water again. This time the pest control people put much more poison down, a high frequency plug was installed in an attempt to deter the mice and a powerful, commercial rat-catching machine was brought in from the farm buildings. The dishwasher worked!

But then, with six people needing to stay overnight, the house suddenly went cold. The central heating people were called and- guess what?? The mice had eaten the pump in the boiler. So it was hot water bottles and fan heaters for the guests.

The one thing that my neighbour has not yet tried is shutting the cat Tallulah in the barn with the mice.

My sister who lives in a country cottage in Herefordshire has been plagued with mice and rats this winter. Her advice would be to get ten Tallulahs and see what they can do!

There is a PS ! To cheer herself up my neighbour went to the garden centre and bought 200 crocus bulbs. She put them in the potting shed intending to plant them next morning - but next morning - three empty bags. Mice again. So, off to the garden centre for another 200 bulbs. This time, straight into the garden she went and planted the lot. That was nearly three months ago - and not a sign of a crocus! There is no justice!