Thanks Bobert,

I presume that you mean a device such as this one

Unfortunately, neither my budget or the size of the garden could justify it.

Are the 'traditional' orange peel/curry powder type solutions completely useless?

How long do cats take to 'get the message?'

Will throwing stones at them work?

Terry

(In case I'm taken the wrong way, I only mean tiny pieces of gravel that wont hurt them. You have to be so careful in the Internet age)