Countryside questions, tips and expert answers | The Field

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Country Queries

As clear as mud

I am trying to find the origin and meaning of the toast "Here's mud in your eye." I have been to a few parties where this toast has been used and many other guests were as ignorant of its meaning as I was. Can you enlighten? Read more

Driven nuts

Over the past months we have shot 20 grey squirrels as they have been causing extensive damage to our young sycamores and beeches. Yet other squirrels just come and take up where their fellows once stood. Will they keep coming? Read more

Deer devastation

My house sits in the middle of a farm surrounded by forestry. We love to see the wildlife in our garden but are unable to have flower beds as the muntjac and fallow deer come and help themselves. As we don't want to fence the garden are there plants we could have that the deer would not eat? If so, what are they? Read more

Spring pigeon

I may be a dyed-in the wool country bumpkin, but sometimes I envy the urban gardener. Life on a town-centre vegetable plot is so pest-free. Read more

How to trap successfully

There is a widespread myth that to be a successful trapper you need to have inherited generations of skill, learnt at your father’s knee. My father, by whom I was taught a great deal, pooh-poohed this and said that all you needed was common sense and efficient traps. He proved his point – he seemed able to catch almost anything, despite having learnt little more from his dad than how to snare rabbits and deal with mice in the larder. Read more

Catching crayfish

While out walking, my grandchildren and I saw crayfish in the river. We are keen to try and catch some. Is there any law against this and, if not, what is the best way of catching them? Read more

Champagne, keeping the fizz

I read that Sir John Mortimer has a glass of champagne a day and describes it as “penicillin for the soul”. What a wonderful idea. As I’d only have a glass a day what is the best way to keep champagne when opened as a bottle gives six glasses? Or can you suggest a decent, reasonably priced half-bottle? Read more