There are many reasons to love the hedgehog - not least is their way of dealing with Christmas ... and given the current turn of events who can deny that hibernating is now seeming like quite a good option! I for one will be curling up in my metaphorical bed of leaves as much as possible ... after I have made the Christmas dinner, of course ... Not having eaten meat for 36 years now, I will create something scrumptious from my vague-an repertoire (I am vaguely vegan!)

To hedgehogs - I did a quite look through the statistics for this petition ... the numbers are rather thrilling - yes, this year we hit a million signatures, but the petition itself has been viewed nearly 7 million times ... it has been shared over 300 thousand times. Though that does mean that some of the million who have signed have not shared ... will get on to you next year!

And as for next year - well, covid allowing, I will be endeavouring to meet with Michael Gove and try and get some teeth to the planning guidance that has gone someway to helping hedgehogs. I will also be writing two books ... so bear with me if the updates are not as frequent.

Also in the new year will be a major announcement from the Hedgehog Street campaign I help run ... brace yourselves ... 

This hedgehog was in a rescue who contacted me three years ago - asking if I wanted to take a photograph ... which I most certainly did! The rare albinos are mesmerising and vulnerable ... their spines feel softer, but mainly they are simply easier to see and get hoovered up - mostly to be taken to rescues ... and there are some out there who try and sell them into the exotic pet market ... if you ever see evidence of that, please drop me a line.

SORRY - wanted to end this on a positive note ... 

I just want to say THANK YOU - to all who have supported the campaign to gift these gorgeous beasties a little more help as we impose ourselves on the land. 

And to thank those of you who have understood that I will occasionally use this platform to promote my books - it would be lovely to be independently wealthy and not have to worry about the bills ... but until I win a large Premium Bond, I will need to keep finding a way to earn a living!

Happy Christmas and enjoy any hibernating you manage to do!