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■ The suggestion by Eamon O’Donnell that the pestle-like object was for mashing potatoes (April 4) might explain why the classic German stick grenade was known to British troops as the “potato masher”.

The shape is roughly the same as the Irish beetles.

Although as far as making mashed potato goes, was the idea really to bash them into a pulp? Personally, I use an ordinary table fork.

Recently you were describing a challenging walk you did. I’m also a keen walker and I’m off to Bavaria with a party from my club, the North London Rambling Club, next week. For the first time, I’m equipping myself with walking poles, as, frankly, I’m not getting any younger, and sometimes, three, or even four legs are better than two.

John Wynne

St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex

Ed: Have a great adventure, John, and send us photos! And yes, my Irish granny’s mashing style could be described as “like making cement”.

■ Question: if I wrote in saying my pet seagull had attacked and disembowelled one of the local cats, would that upset you? Thought so.

Tuesday’s silly, sorry psychopathic pet selfie, was obnoxious (April 2). Your page is supposedly dedicated to the love of all animals, but it seems only dogs and cats need apply.

Sam Johnson, by email

Ed: You’re quite right, Sam, and I apologise. It was too gory and not fair on the poor birds. And we’d love to hear from owners of all sorts of pets – not just the usual suspects.

■ I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the owner of the Yorkie Scruffy who passed away (April 11). My wife and I lost ours three years ago and still miss him now.

Chris and Hazel Iles, Witham, Essex

Ed: I’m so sorry for your loss. I sometimes accidentally call my current cat Rosie or Muffin – I lost them decades ago, but they are never far from my mind.