Barking up the right tree

WHAT would you say was the most horrible invention ever? The nuclear bomb? Hmm, perhaps. But shall I tell you what I reckon is far, far worse? The leaf blower.

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What a horrible, cacophonous contraption. And exactly what purpose does it serve?

I once spent a fortnight's holiday in Portugal being woken by one of these roaring monsters every morning at the crack of dawn, thanks to a crazed street cleaner seemingly oblivious to the futility of his task.

"Would you mind shutting the hell up?" I eventually yelled from the balcony. "Some of us are trying to get some sleep."