Former MP in moth drama

Proving its worth as a global communicator, this diary has brought me this moth photo from Michael Meadowcroft, the bold radical and former Liberal MP for West Leeds. He wondered what it was, and though I'm far from an oracle on these things, I don't think there's any doubt that this is a Scalloped Oak. They like urban gardens and Michael has one of those. Nowadays he goes round the world helping with elections in new democracies whose moths are the size of bats. I must ask him about the fascinating background. Is it a gong from Kazakhstan? The moth came into his house, and this is by far the best time of the year for looking out for similar interesting intruders in or around your own home. I came back very late from London last night and there were half-a-dozen moths whirling round the outside light which Penny had kindly left on. You can add to the excitement, specially if you have children, by mixing treacle with a hefty dose of rum and smearing it on tree trunks. It should attract moths who will be lolling about drunkenly in the morning. If your treacle has solidified from disuse, remember never to warm it up in the oven with the lid on. That is the way to blow up your kitchen.