28th December. That Hen Again.

No sooner was the house heated up again and who should come calling but 'Hettie the Intelligent Hen', who recently has got too clever by far.

"It's practically taken over the kitchen, that bird has" I said.

"You should have seen her face this evening" Isabelle said. "I just looked out of the door and her face was full of purpose, just saying 'Open the door'."

The real purpose is for the hen to wander about the kitchen knocking the cats' water bowl over, perching on my shoulders, pecking at any odd bits of cat litter, then after about 8pm retiring to a cardboard box in the bedroom. Hettie likes to sleep late.