Porcupine stew anyone?

We don't have porcupines in Newcastle. So this spiny bottomed creature made me scream when he emerged from under a cottage porch. Husband fails to respond. "You scream at flies".
I've since learned it is a myth that they shoot their spines at you but they could whack you with their tail if you really got on their nerves. This one thought about hiding under a large rock until he realised a human was stood next to him. Then he climbed this tree and hung out for a while. Apparently they are a protected species but I'm told, rather tasty. Toothpicks provided.