Rat Run!

I had the worst night’s sleep, so far, last night but I don’t know why. I was really tired. Will was in bed first. I was writing ‘Clearing Out!’ for the blog and wanted to finish it.When I was finished I unplugged everything except the rat repellers but they wouldn't work. I don’t think they were drawing enough power from the battery but I didn't want to plug anything else in, in case I then drained the battery. Such are the considerations I now have to make in my new life!I crept under the net and snuggled down and I cannot have been lying there quietly more than two minutes before I heard rattlings and skitterings coming from the kitchen area. I ignored it and tried to go to sleep...but couldn't. Whenever there was a particularly loud clatter I would shine my head torch in the general direction and things would go quiet but as soon as I switched it off, the noises would start again!At one point it sounded like something was being dragged and I began to wonder if it was something bigger than a rat! Could it be a possum?Finally I could stand it no longer. I crept quietly out from under the net. I didn't want to light my head torch until the last moment so left it off and tiptoed, barefoot, round the piano until I was in a good position to view the kitchen. I could still hear rustlings in the darkness ahead. I braced myself and switched on the torch.Something with a long tail bolted towards the door. It was a rat but it was a bit smaller than the rats I have seen in the UK.There was a slight gap under the back door but I had stuffed some dirty tea towels in it before I got into bed. The rat headed to the door and disappeared.Foiled!I went to have a closer look and found a small circular tunnel, that I had not noticed before, heading underground. I stuffed one of Will’s empty beer bottles in it, firmly, and got back in bed.I lay there, triumphant, for about 5 minutes before the rustling started again! It had another way in! Defeated I turned over and tried to get to sleep again...but couldn't!I got out my phone and googled ‘bush rats’ and was convinced I had found the culprit!The noises continued so I decided it was time to chance draining the battery and switch the sonic repellers on. I crept out of bed again and waited until the last minute to switch on my torch. As soon as the light flashed on the rat shot towards the back door but found the hole blocked by the beer bottle. It leapt into the air and headed back straight towards me! I didn't lift my leg fast enough and it skidded into my bare foot, leapt again (I thought it was attacking me!) then fled back again and disappeared under the fridge.I couldn't see where it had gone. I put the sonic repellers right in the centre of the kitchen area and switched them on. Nothing! I plugged Will’s mobile phone in to charge and the sonic repellers started flashing. Success!I got back in bed and tried to sleep...but couldn't.The noises started again about ten minutes later.Round one to the rat!..but like Wily Coyote, I will not give up!Bring on round 2!