She (or maybe he) has already been named “Eleanor Rigby” by some of the residents of Barga who have noticed his/her scurrying figure in Barga Vecchia. The name is perfect as the hedgehog often appears in the evening just after a wedding at the Palazzo Pancrazi and snacks on the rice that is still left on the ground after the guests have left.
Hedgehogs, (Erinaceus europaeus) appear to be omnivores, eating both plants and animals; but are classified as insectivores. Beetles, caterpillars, earthworms, slugs and snails are supposed to be the hedgehog’s favourite food, but the diet can be varied. Not content with a mere rice diet, Eleanor then moves on to her favourite restaurant in town, the historic Cafe Capretz.
Quickly hiding under the tables she quite happily and seemingly unconcerned by nearby passing customers, chomps away on anything comestible that has dropped onto the floor.
The meal over, now its time to vacate the premises before somebody spots her.
A quick stop at a puddle for some refreshing water and then its back down the hill to her home, which so far nobody has actually discovered the exact whereabouts.
Eleanor Rigby (Lennon/McCartney)
I look at all the lonely people
I look at all the lonely peopleEleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for?All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
The music in the short video is by another Barga “nocturnal beast” -- Andrea Guzzoletti and comes from his Invisible Cities disc -- more information about this work can be found here