Finally back to the pear tree…I get good yields with the tree (sorry, don't know what variety it is, I simply inherited it) but I have to pick the fruit early before the insects get to it. I don't want to use chemicals in my garden and herbicides are difficult to get hold of here so I wondered if you knew of anything I could use? Last year, the entire crop was eaten by tree rats from the banana plantation next door! Perhaps you have a deterrant for them too?! So far this year, the old leaves are full of small holes and the tree hasn't shed them yet despite the new buds. Is there any hope for my peaches?!

Thank you for the post on Sir Edmund Hilary, it was beautifully poignant.

Andy