If there’s a problem, you’ll be sure that someone has already developed a solution.

We have a problem with a cat - our cat - he jumps on our flat roof from the fence at the side of our house. He leaps on the fence then hops on the roof and meows at the bedroom window to be let in - usually at 4:30 in the morning. As you may realise, this is not particularly endearing, nor does it want me to shower the feline with praise for being so resourceful. So I had a look on the internet for a solution.

Cat spikes - Yes, they exist. They are a strip of plastic with pre-molded spikes. They can be fitted to fence tops to stop cats walking along a fence. The manufacturer of the product says they won’t hurt the cat and simply act as a deterrent. I ordered some.

When the postman delivered them I could see why they act as a deterrent. One false move when trying to negotiate the unforgiving spikes and the le chat noir would be neutered quicker than you could say ‘lopabollocoff’. Joking apart they did seem a little cruel, so we fitted them.