Back in the 16th Century, the point where the St Lawrence River tightens became a base for a rogue collection of hard-bitten survivalists, who spent months venturing deep into the heart of Innu territory to the trading posts at Lac St-Jean.

BBC: Qu��bec's wood runners

The brutal truth is, Washington's finest natural asset, thousands of cherry trees, currently blossoming in shades of white and pink, are being destroyed by two rogue rodents seemingly intent on building a dam across this city's Potomac River.

BBC: By BBC Washington Correspondent Stephen Sackur