March 2001

There are still a lot of issues around the Foot and Mouth outbreak and a lot of action happening around the UK to contain this disease.  With the cows at the other farm (or "the Mooks" as they are known, apparently it is short for "moo cows") Dad is doing all the feeding of the cows because Alan has pulled some muscles moving some machinery about it.

Will has told me that it is very wet at the other farm - so much so that Bryan (neighbouring farmer) got stuck in the mud with a sprayer and it took some time and a lot of people to get the sprayer out.  Will says he tried to help and looking at the state of him when he got back to ours, I would say that was true (!) he had to have a bath which he was none too keen on....I think it is fair to say that (some) dogs are not as clean as cats!  But the important thing here is that Will tried to help - "Be kind whenever possible, it is always possible" and "If you can't help somebody, then at least do not hurt them"

There have been a delivery of road planings to our farm to fill in the massive holes in the farm yard and also to provide better standing areas which will certainly help me in my "moseys around" the farm.  The farm records are all being updated on the PC and then emailed to the other farm.  Dad has been spending a lot of time on this, and the new software for it, so I have taken the opportunity to "keep him company" by sitting at the side of the pc or on the windowsill in the study (it is a myth that all cats think that a computer mouse is the same thing as a real mouse by the way)  This is quite good because it means that I get a fresh lunchtime "snackette" - I get food for breakfast and food for tea (I don't normally eat all of it - I am more of a "little and often eating" kind of cat.  I also get some dried food left for me all day (the correct term is kibbles, Dad calls them biscuits for some reason) but when people are here in the daytime I can ounge around for some more ...........I must say Dad is nowhere near as good as Mum at this ..and the training is taking longer than I would have thought!

Mum has been to her school reunion but it was just normal dress - she had a good time - it was in a pub/restaurant called "The Packing Shed".  Unfortunately, she had another do on the same night which was a joint 30th and 40th for two friends (one of which was my friend Stuart as mentioned last month) so she left the reunion early and joined Dad at the other party........there are no weird photos to upload though - and I have looked thoroughly!

Strike a pose!  it is so exhausting updating all those computer records.............

February 2001

Lots to report this month:

It is a little bit warmer, so we have been out and about more. Alan and Janet (Dad's parents)have been on holiday to Cyprus, and when the came back there is a major farm issue to deal with.   Will is often at the other farm, and he comes back and tells me lots of things.  I've been watching the news, and there is an animal disease called "foot and mouth" which affects cloven animals ie cows, sheep, pigs, goats, deer etc.  This disease is highly infectious and can be spread through contact with contaminated farm equipment, feed, clothing and vehicles - and also by other animals.  The UK had been free for FMD but an outbreak has just been confirmed.

This is really serious.  For the poor affected animals it is serious, for their farmers too...and also for other farmers and everyone really.  A lot of national events have been cancelled and there are strict policies in place, and changes.  Both Will and Jake have to be on a lead now as they can't roam freely because the cows are still in place at the other farm.  There is a straw disinfectant barrier at the other farm (so Will tells me) and also, this obviously has an impact on the machinery being moved between our farms.  I feel so sorry for everyone concerned, "it is important to be compassionate and understand what others may be facing" and I can only hope it is sorted soon, although I am not sure how.  "We all need to reach out and help others where we can" and I know everyone around he is worried about and for the animals and farmers out there

On our farm, now it has thawed a bit, the fields are really boggy and underwater - in fact, Dad has been digging trenches to get the water off the land.  I declined to assist (even though I am a champion digger...Dad says it looks like I am attempting to dig my way to Australia whenever I dig a hole in the garden) as I do not want that much mud in my fur, but I did watch from a vantage point of the car bonnet - which was also warm - bonus!  He has also been replacing some of the perspex sheets in the chitting shed - I did go and help him with that.  I like the chitting shed, it has fascinating smells and nooks & crannies to explore, and it is also quite warm due to the large windows.  

Mum is still training in her new job - so this is all new and exciting as there is a lot to learn.  She has also had a phone call from someone she went to High School with called Julia (humans don't learn on their own apparently, they have to go out all day to learn things from age 4-18 (ish) )  Julia is organizing a school reunion...................I can't wait to see the outfits and photos!! Mum and Dad's friend Stuart has been for tea too - he is not a cat person, but "not-not" a cat person if you see what I mean, so he enjoyed having me on his knee for a bit as his parents had a cat like me when he lived at home when he was younger.  I do enjoy training people in "the art of chutching a cat"

also not a flattering photo, but this is Mum holding me wearing her "sheep fleece" - we called it this before the F&M outbreak

January 2001

Happy New Year Everyone!

I have been taking advantage of the cold and staying in a bit, as it has been quite frosty. Sometimes Mum wears a brown/beigy chenille top which is nearly the same colour as me, and I love snuggling up to her....and best of all, when I "tread it down" (also called pedalling, most cats do this before they settle down) she does not mind if there is a thread pulled because it is really old and the style of it "lends" itself to my alterations, shall we say! 

Mum has got a new job - still with the same company, but now instead of working out of different branches, she now works out of different business centres.  There are 4 in total, but she will mostly be working in 3 of them - one is 6 miles away, one is 13 and one is 24 so not too bad, and she seems happier with this than with all the uncertainty.  She will have a few months training in the nearest office though so that is good too.  I am happy with both being "self sufficient" as you know ..."it is important to be true to yourself" (and in my case, that means, be your own cat!) but I like people being here too.

Dad has been in the shed mending a beet harvester (I could tell that this was not a straight forward job, so I did not stay too long, and I did not offer my services either (!)  They are just about "worked up" on the farm - which in normal speech means they are "up to date"  It is always important to "keep as up to date as you can, to allow time for other eventualities"
Someone called Lance was talking to Dad in a field recently (Lance works for one of the neighbouring farmers, and had cut some verges for our farm)  They were just discussing things when I saw them, so I went over to see if Dad needed any help (I've not met Lance before so I did not know who he was)  Later, this was reported to Mum as, "Az came running up, because there was someone in "his" field" - that makes me look like it was me that was afraid, whereas I was running to his aid in case he needed me - humans eh?!  

Dad calls me Az or Az-ley, and irritatingly he has started to call me "Da Waz" which I am not keen on at all.  That said, he is quite a quick learner, and I have been teaching him the art of "belly surfing" as demonstrated in the picture below.  This also has the added benefit of warming my paws up............Dad likes it because it means that he can ask Mum to fetch him things "because he does not want to disturb the cat" - sounds like a win win !

not the most flattering picture of either of us, but you get the idea.................it works better when he is laying completely flat!

December 2000

I think it is fair to say that I much prefer Spring and Summer as seasons, Autumn is not too bad as there are always leaves to chase, but Winter is too cold, and often too wet......however, I was always brought up to believe that "happiness is making the most of what you have" so I have been counting my blessings and also, using the time well.

I've been learning (reading up when I am not out and about), exploring (especially the Christmas decorations and the tree - mostly when nobody is around) and finding out new things (inside and out)  Will and I have spent quite a bit of time chatting too - he is quite interesting once he gets going, he has lived here a long time and seen a few changes - he lived in the original house so he can remember that being taken down, and this one being built.

Out on the farm, they are ploughing and also lifting sugar beet - this causes a few issues as it often means that there is a lot of mud on the road which car drivers do not like - so all the farmers have giant brushes which they use to sweep the road with machines afterwards.  I don't really get sugar beet (it puts me in mind of a parsnip or turnip) but I understand that it is all taken to a factory then turned into sugar - Dad has sugar in his coffee (Mum does not)  Sugar can come from two crops - sugar cane (not grown in the Uk) and sugar beet (as grown here) and there are different sorts of sugar too

Mum and Dad have been out and about with their friends and with Rotaract (this is apparently a junior version of the Rotary Clubs which are international) Mum and Dad met through the local club and Dad has been the President of the club - the club is for those aged between 18-30 (not to be confused with Club 18-30 holidays, whatever they might be!) but they are now just members and not on the committees or anything.  Apart from that, when we're all here, we have nights in front of the fire - I often lay alongside Will, or find a comfy lap to sit on.  

For Christmas this year, no roadtrips for me - Mum and Dad had Christmas with Dad's parents, then on Boxing Day, Mum went to her Mum, and Dad took Micky and Rachel to the airport as they are going on holiday to see some friends in South Africa - this is not the same part of Africa where Mum and Dad  went but they will still see some lions (bigger versions of me!)  I got a few Christmas presents (a new fleece blanket and some food, and I also got a Cat Christmas Stocking from Ruth - the lady who got me my home here.  Last year, I was a bit wary of the tree and all the decorations, but this year, I have been exploring (I find it is best to do this when no one else is in the room though, in case I "accidentally" knock a few baubles off - ha ha!)

I've also been trying different foods "it is important to try new things all the time" - it is fair to say that other than Horlicks and normal cheese, I am more in favour of my Dad's style of food (meat, strong cheese etc) but I have now discovered strong blue cheeses like Stilton - okay so I had to stare him out initially to get him to let me have some, but now whenever he has it, he cuts me some to have (and then some more!) Andrew (Rachel, Mum's sister's husband) is a butcher - he has his own shop, so Dad gets some meat from there, and some from the shop in our villlage and he also sells cheeses which is where this yummy stuff comes from. Some people do not believe that a cat can like Stilton but Dad just says" Az cat would arrange his own transport to get Stilton" and it is true - it really is delicious!

Anyway Happy Christmas to us all and all the best for a Very Happy New Year

this is me and Will lazing in front of the fire whilst the Christmas decorations are put up ...the model in front of the vase is one that Mum had made for Dad a few years ago which is of him, Will, Gus and Ginger the cat........shortly after this photo was taken, Will and I swapped places!

November 2000

It is still raining..............

Mum has had a few days off work, but as usual she had been out and about, although we have had some more "quality time" together, having a snuggle.  She had also been helping on the farm (as have I!) it is potato time again, and everyone is here at this farm, mucking in with the grading  etc - Dad has had to borrow some of Dave's machinery this time too.  Fortunately, most of the grading and sorting now takes place in the new shed, which although cold, is not outdoors in the wet!  Security lights have been fitted at both farms too.  Dad has also fitted some "security lights" to the front and back door at ours - I am not sure they are set up right though as initially one of them could be triggered by a cat's whisker and the other one I could just about scale the wall before they went off.  They are now sorted though and are working properly

Mum and Dad's friends Clare and Ian have been round, I always make a bee-line for Clare because she does not make eye contact with me. It is only later that Mum tells me this is because she is not keen on cats (!) Clare is so far the only person to comment that my dark stripe of fur round my neck looks like a necklace, no-one else has noticed!  

Due to the weather, I have spend most of my time in the house, but I am reading a lot of books on different subjects "It is important to never stop learning"  On the odd day when it has been nice, I have ventured further (I do go out several times a day anyway as "fresh air is important to keep your mind fresh and your brain cells working" but mostly this month, its has not been the sort of weather I like - and I feel desperately sad and sorry for any stray cats out there - I hope that cats in this neigbourhood can at least find a warm-ish barn with straw or old blankets/bags to curl up in and keep warm.  I know Mum and Dad donate to a few charities and one of them is a cat charity, and one is an animal charity too.    I am hoping that December brings less rain..................

not a great photo (and Mum says to say that the net curtains' days are numbered - not sure why, I find them interesting to get my claws in...........!) but this is me, looking out at the rain (again!)

October 2000

Ladies and Gentleman this is my main thought of the month, "Something will always happen, and somethings will always change.  Life is indeed a "mish-mash" and whatever will be, will be. If it is currently difficult now (or "pants" to you the latest lingo!) then you will get through it eventually, and you will  be stronger for it" Okay, I know that is a bit "Zen" but it is something I feel strongly about and it is just too important to be in the main body of this month's update.

So back to what has been happening here:  Something really terrible has happened: Mum and Dad have two "sisters in law" who are both called Rachel.  One is Mum's sister, and one is Dad's brother Micky's wife.  Rachel (Mick's wife) has had some awful news, her Dad passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  It is so tragic, Mum & Dad get on really well with Rachel and Mick (and Rachel's sister Tippy) and her Dad was lovely.  Obviously, this has shaken everyone up and it has made me realise the value of the saying "Carpe Diem / Seize the Day"

Back on the farm, they have been lifting and grading potatoes again, and drilling wheat.  I have to confess, I have not been out too much - but I have continued my learning from listening and reading books - because it is not only very wet, but there have been gale force winds.  Some of the windows were blown out of the chitting shed (this is the shed where two sides are glass/perspex so it is part shed, part glass house)  Andrew (Aunt Dorothy's friends' son has been back for a week as he is on something called half term, which is a break from school) and the electrics have been finished in the new big shed - they needed some extra lighting apparently.  Speaking of electrics, the winds have meant that there are often power cuts...I did not realise what this would mean, but basically, other than the coal fire in the lounge, EVERYTHING ELSE runs off electric - so when there is a power cut, there is literally nothing - no hot water, kettle, oven, hob, ANYTHING.  Moreover, humans appear to have a real design fault in that they can't see in the dark.  Cats can see in the dark if there is a chink of light (and round here, as there are no streetlights, there are almost always the stars and moon really clearly visible so it is no problem for me, but really - this is a definite evolutionary flaw for humans ..................although, come to think of it, I can use it to my advantage! I especially like jumping on them when they are asleep in the lounge or even bringing in rodents ha ha ha!!

this is me catching a few of the few sun rays there have been this month "it's important for a cat to bag the best sun spot in the house" (and then claim it as your very own!)

September 2000

Oooh its all go here.....firstly, Mum is worried about her job as she as heard that the bit she does (moving between different offices and covering different peoples' jobs) will no longer exist next year, so that is quite stressful - I am doing my best to provide stress relief and massage/accupuncture (I am really good at this!) in an evening.  At the moment her job is staying the same, and she has been having lunch for a few days with her friend Kate (also a cat lover!) who is also a bit stressed and is now moving back to this area (hooray for cat lovers!) from somewhere down South.

Dad's Mum has been over to Grantham a few times (this is a town about 30 miles away where Dad and his family are originally from) as she had some family things to sort out, this means that they have occasionally been a bit short staffed on the farm - I offered my services, but I don't think they took me seriously, unfortunately. "It is always good to help out when you can" after all!  They have been combining linseed mostly and doing some ploughing, discing and also repairing a few things in the shed (very loud noises!) Dad's Dad has also attended a "World Ploughing Match" - yes, it is amazing to me that such things exist, but apparently it is a competition (like the Olympics) but for ploughing (?!) Anyway, it took place at Lincoln which is not far from here, and he had a good day our.  Mum and Dad have had a day out walking in Derbyshire, but they fed me before they went, left me some food, and then Pam came in later to feed me my tea - Pam and I had quite a nice chat, I like her (even though she is not a cat person!) I let her give me a fuss, and then when she left, I went out to the garden too for another investigative stroll "It is important to know your place as head of the household and to take your responsibilities seriously"

In other news, there have been protests from hauliers and farmers about tax on fuel (apparently all these vehicles are run on something called diesel or petrol, this is very expensive to buy and a good % of this is tax) It has been on the news that there have been blockades and queues at petrol and diesel stations.  I've never thought about this much before - well, obviously, being a cat I don't have to! - and I've also not given much thought to the fact that although we are on a farm, we do have immediate neighbours, and it is quite a busy road that we live on.  Apparently, a lot of farms are quite isolated.  I will make sure I stay away from the road, and the farm machines - although I like to watch them from a distance (I don't however hang around when it becomes apparent that any repairs that are being done are not going well.........when the atmosphere gets a bit tense, I make a move elsewhere!) 

 

Baby George has been Christened (I had to have this explained to me, but then I looked it up in a book too) it means that he is welcomed into the family of the church.  Mum and Dad (who are also his aunt and uncle) are his legal guardians, and Mum is also his god-parent.  This seems quite a sensible idea that humans put in place.  

I've been exploring some more, it might be getting to Autumn, but it is still quite warm, and I get to indulge my "inner kitten" by chasing leaves around the garden too - and it is all exercise "looking after yourself and keeping in shape and healthy" are very important!

this is me on some old wooden poles - out and about exploring - these are all going to be used for the farm "projects" soon...................

August 2000

So the harvest has started - initially it is the barley as this is always ready first.  A field of barley looks like "fur" when it is in a field and the wind is blowing it gently.  This is because it has "awns" - which are like cats' whiskers - these grow on the end of each grain and it give it a soft looking appearance, although the awns themselves are very  sharp.  Other cereal crops do not have these.  Barley is used for malting (beer - an alcoholic drink some humans like to drink) or for animal feed. 

The wheat is normally ready a few weeks later, but both are harvested by a massive green and orange combine which has spoke-y wheels which go ahead of the machine - these spokes provide a way of raising up any of the crop which might be laying flat due to weather etc and a blade goes along and cuts the crop.  This is then harvested by the machine and the grain goes into a storage bit on the back of the machine.  Every so often, when this storage tank is full, a tractor and trailer comes alongside the combine, a huge "spout" comes out of the side of the machine and this transfers the grain to the trailer, so that the combine can keep going, and the tractors and trailers can ferry the grain back to the shed.  I am really proud of myself for learning all this by watching - I asked Will, but he prefers to remain around the shed with whoever is there, having a snooze in the old armchair - I've been watching from my vantage points on Pam's shed roof and the fence post at the end of the farm which is in just the perfect viewing position. 

Dad's Aunt (or as he pronounces it "Ant") Dorothy has been over too - well, she is not really an aunt, but she is Dad's Dad's Cousin.  Some friends of hers have a son - also called Andrew - who is really interested in farming, so he has been over and stayed at Dad's parents.  Andrew want to go into farming when he is older so he is taking the opportunity to learn more now.  "It is always important to learn new things and challenge yourself" and this is especially good in an instance like this as Andrew is "keeping one eye to the future" which is always important - and why I am interested in learning about all aspects of farming (although some of these are a lot more boring than others!) 

Some of the farmers are also carting the bales of straw - most of the farms around here have "bats", "bales" or even "hestons" these are varying sizes of the rectangular bales but only one farm has the round style of bales........Mum and Dad refer to these as "Dougals" which refers to a dog (?!) in some old tv programme called "The Magic Roundabout" (this is more Dad's vintage than Mum's!) 

Mum has been busy at work but still has time for me in an evening, although, to be honest, I am often out and about on the farm.  But on a weekend, we enjoy some time together - it is so nice to be out in the garden with company (or without!) feeling some sun on my fur and watching over "my domain".  After all, to borrow a famous quote, "The hours when the mind is absorbed by beauty are the only hours in which we live" and there is so much beauty in a garden, the plants, flowers, leaves, butterflies.............although I do like to try and catch them (well, Mum thinks I am trying to catch them, I am really only just pretending!)

these are "dougal" bales as the apparently resemble some old dog in some old tv programme!

July 2000

Can you believe that I have been here for a whole year?  So much has happened, and I have learnt so much (and tried to train my humans too..............!)

I've invented yet another new game, well, I think it is brilliant, but I have to accept that if my timing is slightly "off" then it may not be entirely comfortable for the humans.....but, they could always learn to move a bit quicker?!!  Essentially, I have discovered that Mum & Dad's bed has a light switch on a cord that hangs down so this is just the thing for a bit of sport/exercise for me, and a change from the usual game of "feet".  What happens is, I sit on my back feet and catch the light pull with my front paws, I am really good at it, but sometimes I get so excited that I jump around and I may have once or twice accidentally ended up with a back foot in someone (Dad's) ear - which he did not find amusing for some reason!

I've had a few days away again with Barbara at the cattery because Mum and Dad have been to Yorkshire (that is another county in England) to do the 3 peaks challenge with a group of friends - 12 hours to walk 24 miles with 3 "mountains" Ingleside, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent they are called (weird names) and it was hard work but they managed it - "don't give up, you can always achieve more than you think" I have always been told.  But, they did enjoy it, and I liked being at the cattery too - Barbara is lovely and kind, and I had a long chat to a homesick young grey cat "Smokey" who was staying there for the the first time - I think I helped him, and I reassured him that he would be going home and it was not a permanent stay. "If you can't help someone, then at least do not hurt them" - I THINK ALLHUMANS AND ANIMALS SHOULD LIVE BY THIS MANTRA.  Smokey likes Barbara too, there were also a lot more cats there than last time, I think that July and August are the most popular times for humans to go away on holiday.

I'd not been back from the cattery very long when Dad went to have a day watching the cricket (some sort of strange sport where people in white run about between two sets of sticks!) at a place called Trent Bridge.  It was a really hot summers day, so Mum spent some of it reading in the garden in a rope hammock.  It looked really comfy so I joined her - for some unknown reason, she did not seem to think me being draped round her neck was a great honour for her, so she kept shifting and jiffling about which was not very relaxing for me, I can tell you!  Eventually we came to an agreement though "Compromise can often be the key", but as I am the cat, I ended up with three quarters of the hammock and a towel in it to make it more comfy for me - this is only my "due" after all.  Dad's parents have been away again for a few days - everyone needs to be back for the end of July as that is normally when the main cereal crop harvest starts.  This time they bought a present for Mum and Dad - two cartoon pictures of a dog and a cat who look a bit similar to Will and myself .  This is now on display in the kitchen.  They didn't buy me a present for having to put up with sharing my home with Jack the huge black lab, but then again, he really is no trouble (not that I would say that out loud, obviously!) And at last, the weather is sunny and hot most days ......and about time too!

these are the pictures that are now on the wall in the kitchen - Mum has picked me up several times to show me it (I am obviously slimmer and better looking in real life!) but I really like them!

This is a "legs" photo from one of the training walks for the Three Peaks.....Mum was trying to re-create a huge photo she has seen in one of the walking shops (whatever they might be)  the person on the far left is Mum, Dad is on the far right, and the other three are their friends

June 2000

The weather has not been too bad, so I have been out and about with and without my trusty side-kick Will.  I've heard it said (by Dad's parents) that we are, "like Batman and Robin" - really not keen on this comparison, as I am clearly the brains of the operation (and this should be obvious to everyone!) However, it is nice to feel the sun on your fur, the wind in your whiskers and fresh air without it being cold and wet.  

So I have been taking advantage of sunbathing time (obviously, I am a cat!)  This is a time of general maintenance on the farm making sure that all the equipment is working etc, along with grading a few potatoes (still),  and spraying wheat and beet.  I've been in the shed quite a bit with Dad to see what he is getting up to with the mending and repairs too, but to be honest, each time I found that a bit dull (sssh!) so I made my excuses and left.

Mum has had some time off from work, but they have not been away, so I have not been to the cattery, or had people in to feed, chutch and check on me.  Mum and Dad have already had their holiday in February so it's been nice to spend more time with them (there might be a thing called "rolling" on the farm, but I can do a much better version of it on the bed, in the garden etc! There are a lot more birds in the garden too, I like to take a keen interest in new bird species - I can hone my hunting skills too, but I am not keen on the taste, and it is just nice to see them flying about and hear them singing in the trees."It is important to find pleasure in the simple things in life"  There has been an event called "The Lincolnshire Show" (now I am a Lincolnshire resident) Mum and Dad went - it is fairly agricultural, but they did come back with a wooden sculpture-type thing for the lounge - I am discreetly eyeing this up as a scratching post, although this might be best for when there are no observers present, then I can blame Will.

Mum and Dad have been out doing a few walks on a weekend too, apparently they are in training for something called "The Yorkshire Three Peaks".  I have been listening in, and this is where you have a challenge of walking 24 miles up 3 peaks (says Dad) mountains (says Mum) and it has to be done in less than 12 hours.  They are going with friends, and training to ensure that they can manage it "it is important to be prepared for every eventuality" (although, I must say, I am not entirely sure where they are finding any mountains/peaks/hills/slight inclines to train on around here!!)

this is me catching some rays on Mum's car - "it is important to be creative and use your initiative" - the ground was wet, and the sun was at this side of the house, not the side with Pam's garden shed roof, when this was taken

May 2000

Wahey!  It is just about stopped raining, but it will take some time for the land to dry out, and also the back garden lawn that forms a good bit of my immediate "stamping ground" (I have to say, I have always found this expression a bit nonsensical - I am a cat (and if I say so myself, a perfectly svelte and toned example of the feline species) so I don't stamp or stomp!

That aside, I have discovered something totally brilliant - I can't believe that I did not spot this last year.  As you know, between my house and the neighbours (Pam and Gordon) there is a large wall which is about 10 feet tall (whatever that might be, I don't claim to understand human's ways of measuring things!) and it from when there was old farm house where my front garden is.  This old house was taken down years ago, so that's why we live in a bungalow now - this is before Mum & Dad lived here, but it appears that there were major issues with the old building so it had to come down as it was not safe.  However, all the outbuildings are all still standing and they are on our side of the wall.  Pam's garden is all enclosed by this wall and a fence, and in the corner nearest us is a shed with a flat roof - and this is perfect for sunbathing - oh yes!  There are a few massive poplars by the side of Dave's field, and one of these provides the perfect climbing post (well it is so easy for me to scale it vertically) to arrive on the shed roof.  I am hidden from Meg the dog, I can listen to the birds singing and going about their business (I am not that into catching birds, not really in to the taste) and so I can have a good, hidden spot - fantastic!  As I have been taught, "Keep you face to the sunshine and you will not see the shadows" - I love it here it is fab!  

I've been in and out of the new shed, and the outbuildings - there are a lot of nooks and crannies and old farm stuff stored in them, and there is also the chitting shed - this is a big black tin shed with a lot of perspex windows and panels in, so it is always light in there - this is mainly used for storage now and there are a lot of different smells which interest me greatly.......

Out on the farm, they are still planting potatoes (this is late due to the weather) and rolling the fields with a contraption pulled behind the tractor - this is wheat which was planted in October, and the purpose of this is to compact the land after the frost has lifted it (when it thaws) and encourages "tillering" of the plant which it where it puts out more stems.

In other news, I have invented a fantastic new game called "feet".  This is where I jump on the bed with Mum and Dad and chase their feet which are moving under the duvet.  I consider I am quite good at this, but apparently, if the duvet is not entirely covering the feet then there is a problem with contact with my claws................!!  Still, it is honing my speed and skills at chasing things................! And I will share this thought with you, "Live each day with love and not fear"

And finally, on 31st May, I became a "feline cousin" as Mum's sister Rachel and her husband Andrew have had a little boy called George William.  I will be quite wary of him until he is older as I understand that there will be a lot of noise! But huge congratulations to them, and a welcome to little George

these are "my" outbuildings, and just out of shot is my new sunbathing spot on Pam's shed roof - I am expanding "my" territory all the time (although, obviously it is essential all mine already!)

April 2000

So, apparently there is a "thing" called April showers...........I've not noticed this before, but blimey, it is certainly true this year........I am getting a bit fed up with getting wet when it rains, or having wet and muddy feet from being outside even when it is not raining.

Because of this, I've not been out and about as much, but I can report that the new sheds are in course of being completed - one of them has a massive door (so the huge big machinery can fit in) and this door is operated by a chain device and a human (or two!) pulling on it.  I have to say, I am none too keen on the noise it makes, and it seemingly takes ages to open or close.  The space seems huge inside though, although some of the work has been held up by the weather.

Out on the farm they are still planting potatoes, these go in as seed potatoes (small potatoes with small "chits" on them - this means they have started to grow) then once planted, they grow and then are harvested around October and November.  There are lots and lots of different types or varieties of potatoes but Dad grows some called Maris Piper and Cara over here.  In other news the linseed has all been drilled (ie planted in the ground) when this flowers, it will have lovely blue flowers, and will be harvested in September.  I was going to walk the land, but to be honest, I did not fancy getting mud up to my "armpits" so I have learned some of this from books indoors!  One of the cows at the other farm has had twin calves, but this month is when they all go back home from their "Winter holiday"

I have been catching up on my sleep in the daytime too - as I always say, "It is important to ensure you get enough rest!" and I have been pondering on how far I have come in less than a year too, "Focus on the good things in life, no matter if they are small or large, and then they will multiply" (this can also be summed up as "count your blessings" and in between reading, I have been talking to Will - he is also fed up with the weather.  Will did not tell me this, but he is scared of thunder and lightning - I discovered this during a storm - he was literally trembling and shaking with fear.  My first instinct was to think he was joking, but he wasn't - so I persuaded him to come and lie under the bed in the spare room, and I stayed with him to be sure he was okay.  Poor old dog, he was terrified.  Fortunately, the storm passed quite quickly and eventually, I convinced him to come back out from hiding.

I am hoping for better weather soon................

okay, so this may not be the most flattering of poses, but I am having a stretch after reading up on farming...........and lots of other subjects too.........there is always such a lot to learn!

March 2000

...........Meanwhile, back at the ranch (or whatever it is they say) Whilst I have been away on my holidays, work has continued apace in dismantling the final bits of the shed and putting the finishing touches on the new one.

It has taken me ages to re-familiarise myself with all my "estate" - well actually, that is not true, I am a cat so I own all of it ...everything! ....but I have been all about the farm, the house, the fields and the garden - it is still really cold though, I may have to look into ordering myself one of those heated pods like at the cattery.  "Investigate everything thoroughly" this is very useful advice and something my furry mum taught me.  I've been talking to the rodents - yes I know, I should hate them, but we're all just trying to live (I also believe in "live and let live" but I don't tell too many people that!) and they have had a hard winter - they were concerned about their habitat coming down (the old shed) but they've found a new abode in a farm shed belonging to another farmer.  I've also tried to talk to the pheasants, but to be honest I don't seem to be making much headway with them (they appear a bit dim?!) Dad has been drilling a new crop which will be used for "wild bird cover" - this is a nice idea I think, and I have tried to tell the birds this, but I think they are scared of me.  Will is back too (there is no link there with "dim" honestly!) he quite enjoyed his stay on the other farm but is pleased to be back home.  He does not feel the need to patrol his territory in the same way as me - perhaps he just is not that bothered?  

In other news, Dad applied to take on some extra land, but did not get it and then much worse - he got his finger caught in a trailer and had to go to hospital (this is like a vets but for humans) and it is now bandaged up.  One of Dad's friends has also pulled out of farming (it is, i am coming to understand, a difficult business to make a living in) but it is very sad as they have been farming for years.  

I wandered into the main bedroom when Mum and Dad were making their bed up and Dad put on a fake voice for me and said, "Making up my bed? make sure it is not too hard and it's suitable for a cat of my standing (!)" which is what I would have said out loud if only they could hear/understand me.....They went to an 80's themed fancy dress party later that night - wearing some pretty bizzarre clothing, and Mum had her hair all crunchy with this mousse (not to be confused with moose!) stuff - however, they have forbidden me from adding any photos of them. So in the meantime, my picture this month is ............

this is me inspecting one of the fields...............I sometimes think that I need a pay rise for being the farm manager ............

February 2000

Disclaimer - okay apologies for the delay between the last blog entry and this one but looking through the archives (old farm diaries, my cat diaries, photo albums and notes etc) has just taken up soooo much of my time - not to mention laughing at some of the fashions and hairstyles..........!!!

So I have been very busy recently, and as it is the start of the year, the main activity on the farm is grading, boxing and bagging potatoes - and I supervise this.  All the activity takes place in the shed (excellent as it is marginally warmer, I can combine it with rodent patrol, and there is always a cushion, potato sack, bale of straw for me to sit on) 

A trailer load of potatoes comes into the shed, is tipped and the potatoes are sorted over a conveyor belt type thing (very noisy), the skanky  potatoes are picked out and the rest go into bags or boxes - it is all done from this machine, and is quite impressive.  Elsewhere on the farm, the old shed buildings are coming down (old wooden ones which are one of my stamping grounds but are falling to bits) and a new one is going up - this is a metal one.  There is always something going on down on the farm, and the workmen on the shed seem quite nice, one calls me, "Pusskat" and offers me some cheese (yum, my favourite thing....well, one of them!) And anyway, when I am bored I can go and have a sleep and feed in the garage or go on through to the lounge. It seems humans have not grasped the regular sleep/cat naps thing, and only sleep at night which is very strange.  

Also, I have learned what the words "honeymoon" and "cattery" mean......and they were not as bad as I had feared - "Face up to your fears, and be brave"  is a good lesson to learn.  It turns out that a honeymoon is a holiday after a wedding - Mum and Dad only had a week off after their wedding last year, and have had two weeks in Kenya (Mum said it was a one off "holiday of a lifetime" as it was a special occasion, and somewhere they have always wanted to go) which is in Africa.  So, I also had a holiday at a cattery - a kind of exec holiday home for discerning cats.  I liked Barbara the cattery owner very much, she left the radio on for us cats, there were heated pods to sleep in, ladders and sun lounge areas for us too. I also got to talk to a couple of neighbouring cats (in the next "apartments" to me) "it is very important to be interested in other people/cats/animals, after all, everyone has their story"

Mum and Dad has a great time in Africa (Mum said she saw some "real lions" - I am a real lion just a smaller version of one) and I loved being at the cattery although I liked coming home too. When the collected me, Barbara said, "He's been no trouble, he has not been bothered by anything and has eaten and purred well", Dad said, "Az cat takes everything in his stride" 
I think that is a real compliment, and something to live up to.  I was pleased to be home, and the next day, Will arrived back from his break at the other farm and we compared notes.  I have had a few new experiences this month, but it has been good!

this is me posing whilst sunbathing at the cattery ........................under my paws you can just see a stripey worm toy called "inch" that I took with me to the cattery and enjoyed playing with

January 2000

Yay!!  new year, new Millennium, new start...........and it dawns bright and sunny - so I have a celebratory and exploratory wander around my territory and Will and I sit outside for a bit in our own celebration, "I'm really glad came to live with us Az", says Will gruffly, "Me too", I tell him and add that he's "not too bad for a dog".    This is a standard joke as whenever Mum asks Dad if he loves me, he says, "Az is alright for a cat" - he is joking of course, who couldn't love me (apart from my old family of course) I am, after all perfect (or is that purrfect?!)  "It's very important to love yourself , and believe in yourself too"

Most of the work is being done at the other farm, so that gives me plenty of scope to go out and about inspecting the machinery- I am quite fearless, and perform very detailed checks.  Anyway, the other day when Mum picked me up - she holds me respectfully, picking me up with her right hand under my chest and her left hand under my bum, I did my usual thing of lifting my head up so I can rub the top of my head on her chin.  I do this because a) she loves it and b) I get a free head rub (it's a win win!) although it always amuses Dad "he always sticks his head out," he says.  This time, Mum was amused by my back feet and laughed (not unkindly, but still...) at them, saying they reminded her of "fish fingers" - I don't get this, fish do not have fingers - and "You should never laugh at someone, only with them" Mum did apologise though - and I got some different food to try.  They always cook something themselves but not a lot of it is cat-friendly, hence I have wet and dry cat food, and Will has wet and dry dog food, although he clearly has a less cultured palate than me...or indeed most other animals - and he is a bit uncouth about the way he eats - essentially he hoovers it up, and it would be in his stomach before he has even registered the taste!

Mysteriously, there have been discussions going on about holidays, cattery booking and late honeymoons - I have had to look up all of these words and I am not entirely sure I like the sound of them.......I have tried to discuss this with Will, but he always goes to stay at the other farm with Jake when Mum & Dad go away...he's never heard of a cattery, but then amazingly, he has never heard of a house cat either, he only knows of farm cats who come in as far as the conservatory and have beds in there (this is at the other farm) .... I am going to have to investigate further..............

this is me on an "elevator" inspecting it and having a good old nebs - an "elevator" is not the same as in some buildings (apparently) but used for moving bales of straw..............

December 1999

Looks like I spoke too soon in my last blog, it's been a lot colder and so wet that, to be honest, I have not really fancied going out and about.  I go outside to use the "facilities" (shall we say?!) and then I tend to come in and sleep in the house.  That said, I am on "rodent watch" in the evening and night-time sometimes, Mum keeps saying to me, "They're all living things Az, you don't have to catch them" but it is in my nature (although I do also let them go sometimes,after all I have been lucky this year, and we all need a bit of luck) and a throwback to the time when I did not know where my next meal was coming from.

In other news I have been crossed the road in front of the house to go into Dave's field, but it was scary and a busy road, and the cars were so fast, that I have decided not to bother in future - in fact Mum fetched me back.  Dave also has a field directly behind Pam's house and there are plenty of other fields to watch and "hone my agricultural education".  There are some people who walk about with dogs in some of the fields and shoot guns at the sky.....I understand they are shooting at birds, but it does not seem a fair fight I must say....and as to work in the fields, they are still ploughing and getting sugar beet up (none of this seems to be suitable "normal food" - I will have to investigate further)  Dad has had a weird smell of other animal "fur" on his coat and it turns out that at the other farm they have "timeshare cows come to stay"  Apparently this is called "joisting" where some farmers have cows that live outside in Summer, but if they don't have enough shed space in Winter, then the cows essentially have board and lodgings at another farm which has shed space ...hmmmn interesting.....and not to be confused with jousting (I mixed them up initially when I was reading up to find out more, apparently jousting with a "u" is something to do with horses and people wearing metal suits (are humans strange or what?!) Still, "Each to their own, and live and let live"  Some people might think blogging is a funny thing for a cat to be doing, Will likes to sleep with his head raised up and is terrified of thunder storms.... "We are all different, that's what makes us all so endlessly fascinating!"

I've discovered a new drink too - or rather I "mugged" Mum for some - I couldn't help it, it smelt so nice.  She made herself a mug of something called Horlicks, but with all milk instead of water and it smelt lovely and malty (this is the day after Mum had shouted at me for sticking my claws in her and clawing the furniture as well but soon forgave me) so I had a bowlful and it was yummmy! I've invented a new song for myself too (it is to the tune of Kylie Minogue - or is that Meowogue? "Santa Baby" - and it goes like this..."Aslan Baby, share a mug of horlicks with me, you see, you're the best thing in fur, Aslan honey and hurry through the cat flap tooooniggght" - I have tried to teach it to Mum but although I am good, some things are just to tricky for mere humans!

Anyway, it is Christmas time, and on Christmas day I went on another mini road trip.....Mum and Dad went to Midnight Mass on Christmas eve, and when they came home early on Christmas Day they opened a present each (and one for me) then we all went to bed, and the next morning opened our presents - I got quite a few - mostly food related yay!  Then I was loaded up in my cat carrier - not impressed but felt sure it was not a bad journey - and we all went to Mum's for Christmas lunch.  Her cats Kitfer and Murphy were upstairs asleep - so I jogged up and downstairs a few times for the novelty really (they did not see me, I did not want to distress them in their home) ate a bit of lunch and went to sleep in the hallway.  Mum's sister Rachel and her husband Andrew were there - they are expecting a baby in the May.  In the evening, we all sat in the room and played games - then Mum picked me up and sat back and I spent a happy hour snuggling up against her, stretching out my long stripey legs and back paws and rubbing my head on her chin....although I have to say, had I been playing the Trival Pursuits type quiz that they were all playing, then I am sure I would have know more of the answers.  This is the Season of Peace and Goodwill to all (humans and animals) so I hope that all my furry brothers and sisters are happy, and I wish for all cats to have a happy and warm home. 

It's very nearly the Millennium - Happy New Year to us all - it's been a year of changes for me, but it's ended up brilliantly ............"sometimes you just have to have hope............."

this is me, on one of "my" beds..............

November 1999

I've been taking the opportunity to listen to Will a bit and we sit and talk during some of the day - inside if its cold and rainy (and Will is not required on the farm) or outside if it is warm enough - It's not been too cold yet.  Will is a typical man who does not show his emotions very clearly (I am a boy too, but very in touch with my feminine side - as most felines are) "There is nothing wrong with showing your emotions and talking about your feelings"  I think it helps Will to talk about his brother Gus and his life, and in return he listens to me....I hope my furry Mum and all my furry brothers and sisters are happy and well loved, and I would wish that no cat was ever abandonned like I was.  "All living creatures deserve love and affection, a safe place to rest, food, and freedom from fear"  I am quite enjoying Will's company too (sssshhh!)  Mum has had a few days off work too which is nice, but she was in and out a bit anyway, so I didn't see her for "full days" just like normal.  To be honest, this arrangement suits me fine, I can come in and out, have food, water, most of the house, a comfy warm bed on tap, and human hugs and knees to sit on, humans to drape myself on as I please - result!

So the reason Will has been about more often is because that Dad's Dad (Alan) had an accident a few weeks ago and has broken his arm.  Unfortunately, humans are not ambidextrously-pawed like most cats, so it really has had an impact on him.  He's not in as much pain now, but has had one of those funny white casts on it for weeks, and of course, this has meant that he can't do as much on the farm as he would normally.  Luckily, and this is something I do really admire about some humans, "everyone has really pulled together to help out"  Dad's brother Mick has had a few weeks off work, Dad's uncle and Cousin, John and Ben, have all helped out (Ben is a really good photographer, so I have been practising the art of "striking a pose" - I do love modelling when I am in the mood!)  Also, the neighbours here (Dave and Karen - Dave is Pam's brother and they live further down towards the village, but farm in the fields opposite us) the neighbours at Deeping (Bryan, Janet and James) have all offered help and assistance.  Mum and Mum's parents have all been doing their bit too in the taxi-ing about between farms (if you go over to the other farm in a car, then come back in a farm vehicle, that means you don't really have any fast means of transport to get back - and seriously, farm vehicles are soooo slow, I mean I could walk faster!)

When they have been over here, I have been watching Dad ploughing, it means a tractor pulling a "plough" this is a big bit of kit with lots of silvery "fin shaped things" (it puts me in mind of a lot of silver coloured fish!) as it moves up and down a field.  This is so that the remnants of the other crop can be ploughed in so they will decompose and not grow, and that the top layer of soil is turned over so there are fresh nutrients there - ** I would like to add that I learnt that all by myself, rather than relying on dog-standard-information**  

In other news. Mum's friend Adrienne popped round to see me (I have not met her before) and it was love at first sight for her (about me I mean, obviously!)  she said I have "Whopper Paws" and will be a big cat...but I am fully grown and I am careful what I eat - I don't want to put too much weight on - I have far too much jumping around and exploring to do!

this is Will and myself posing with Mum's car - as you can see it is not as posh as the other vehicle in the last blog entry!

October 1999

** Aslan's disclaimer ** for some reason, this post and the last few do not show correctly

and there is an issue with the "word wrap" hence some words are split between lines.

I have tried what I can to amend this, please bear with me, normal service is resumed after

the this blog entry xx

this is me, posing with a car belonging to relatives of our neighbours -

sadly it does not actually  belong to anyone I personally know myself......

a shame as it suits a cat of my standing don't you think?

Okay, so I have settled in quite well here, I have quite a good routine going, but it is sometimes "invaded" by the farm. This is evidently the "potato time of the year" as in the potato harvest there are some very strange bits of kit about. There is a huge conveyor belt type thing set up in the big shed which is really noisy. The potatoes (boring to me but apparently a multi-functional vegetable) arrive in a tractor and trailer, are moved along the conveyor belt, sorted and either put in a big heap, or bagged up into 25kg bags. This process takes ages and there are people coming and going in and out of the shed all day long ...even Mum helps a bit when she is back from work (but after she's fed me!) I take the opportunity to continue my "rodent watch" and nose round the farm and the sheds - Oh and I'm also honing my knowledge too. When it's cold, or when I am tired, I have a snooze in the straw or more likely, I mosey my way back to the house to have a sleep in peace and quiet!

I have discovered that some relatives of Pam's visit quite often, and they parktheir car on our driveway as it is safer, being off the road.  As you can see,     I like this car very much and it suits me too!  It is much more "me" than the   functional cars Mum and Dad drive, or any of the farm vehicles - Will quite      likes the tractors but I have not yet found one that is really "me"

I have been talking to Will a bit more of late, he might be rubbish and not at all knowledgeable when it comes to farming, but he has told me a sad story   about his brother.  Andy (Dad) used to live in an old farm house here with Will (William) and his brother Gus (Guscott).....yes, Dad is into his rugby and they were named after some rugby players called Will Carling and Jeremy Guscott. 

There was also an adopted stray kitten (also ginger) called Ginger - he lived  with them for about 18 months...when Ginger was a kitten, Dad found that     Ginger's Mum had sadly been killed on the road, so he went looking for the    kitten and took him in, giving him a home.  Shortly before the old farm house had to be replaced with a new bungalow, Ginger went missing (Dad tried hard to find him) and then a few months later, poor Gus was killed on the road too. That meant Will was alone - I felt quite sorry for him and resolved to be more understanding towards him after all......

"we none of us know what other people have to deal with”  

as someone once said, 

“if everyone's problems were put in a heap for all to choose from,              you would soon grab your own ones back”..




I have discovered that Dad is a great cook and really enjoys cooking – 

he eats meat and  pretty much everything...disappointingly, Mum appears 

to be one of those vegetarians.....but they both cook meat, there is a butcher in the village, and I do often get a sample if it is meat  

NOW I JUST NEED TO PERSUADE MUM AND DAD TO GET SOME VEHICLES      WHICH ARE MUCH MORE SUITABLE FOR A CAT OF MY STANDING TO POSE      WITH - I MIGHT EVEN HAVE TO GET SOME SHADES!

September 1999

** Aslan's disclaimer ** for some reason, this post and the next few do not show correctly

and there is an issue with the "word wrap" hence some words are split between lines.

I have tried what I can to amend this, please bear with me, normal service is resumed after

the next few blog entries xx




I've been to see a new vet – his name is Wayne – and he called me “Spud”    He said I was  12-18 months old (very accurate for a mere human!) I am a neutered male cat and in good health.   I decide I like Wayne, and bestow on him a lot of purrs and a good nosy round his surgery.  He then gives me an      injection (am not sure I like that) and a tablet.  Mum and Wayne discuss my  background “he was a stray......” and my new home, Mum is not keen  on me wearing a collar  (I am definitely not either) as it could get caught up whilst I am out and about – which would be very dangerous....So I am to be micro-chipped instead.  I like this vets, and Wayne – especially when he says I am  “a fine example of a healthy cat”  and, he reassures Mum that the pigment     spots on my paws, nose and mouth are not a problem – although I could have told her that if she was able to understand me!  A lot of cats think  their vets are scary and do not like them, but I    have always thought you should, “judge people as you find them”.  And from the same “thought   family," “treat people as you would  want to be treated yourself”


** HOT NEWS **  Dad has fitted a cat flap in the garage door for me (yay...   this is even sooner than I thought he would do it according to my “secret       agenda”......it is important to “work towards what you want, and know what   direction you want to go in”) – he's done a good job, and the internal door is  open so I have access to some / most/ all  of the other rooms too.  It's been quite sunny so I have been in and out of the house and down on the  farm. They seem to be working here quite a bit which is nice for the company and to learn more about my chosen craft  (I have decided to become the new farm supervisor)  but some of the machinery is just so noisy it means I can't hear myself think Will seems quite content to ride up and down fields in a tractor,   “woof” to get out, run up and down until he barks to be let back in the tractor.  I've asked him what some of the bits of kit do on the farm..  but he doesn't really know –and I suspect he makes a lot of it up himself too.I have resolved that it would be better to learn this for myself!


My Grandma comes round and visits me a lot, she is a lovely person too.  Mum's parents are   divorced and I see them both.  Dad's parents are still together and they both work on the farm   so they are often both here when  the work is being done on this farm, sometimes their dog       Jake comes too, I was wary of him as he is a big, black labrador  (huge paws and head) but he is very chilled out and calm around cats – he is not much use on the subject of  farm machinery either though – dogs eh?!!

okay so not the best photo due to the shadow of the house, but hey, you know sometimes, I am  just not in the right mood to "strike a pose" at someone else's whim..............this is me strolling elegantly back towards the house....as you can see, I make good use of the cat walk (in both     senses) and am a real "tail-up strolling boy"

August 1999

** Aslan's disclaimer ** for some reason, this post and the next few do not show correctly

and there is an issue with the "word wrap" hence some words are split between lines.

I have tried what I can to amend this, please bear with me, normal service is resumed after

the next few blog entries xx

Yay!  Imprisonment ended!  However, as I am so desperate to get out and     explore, it is fair to say that this does not go according to Mum's plan.  Mum    carries me outdoors – neither the back nor the front garden are enclosed, and there are lots of open fields and farm land/yards about.  I take the opportun- ity to a) demonstrate my athleticism and b) enjoy FREEDOM so I leap out of  her arms and “leg it” across the lawn, up a massive tree and on to a 10 foot   high wall between my house and the next house (as you can tell, I had this   PLANNED!)  I had noticed that there was a high wall as there are a lot of brick build sheds attached to it on our side of the wall (I had noticed this from the study window) and that there were big trees for easy access.  I demonstrate my prowess by stalking across the wall several times then nonchalantly sitting and having a wash.  I studiously ignore the cries and pleas of “Aslan”, come   here babes, please” and the next thing I know, Mum and Dad are in the next door garden with the neighbours, who I now know are called Pam and Gordon  (they have a dog called Meg too)   Gordon says, “Hello cat, don't look at me  with that supercilious expression” (I am not quite sure what this means, I willhave to look it up ... “never be afraid to fill in the gaps in your knowledge – it is never too late” ) but although they are not “cat people” I can tell, they  think I am a “very fine cat indeed” (that's from a quote!)    I jump off the wall on my side whilst they are still in the other garden (humans do have a bit of a design fault when it comes to jumping and climbing unlike us cats) and by     the time they have come the long way round, I am GONE down the driveway  and into the farm yard for a proper old “nebs” at EVERYTHING.  Lots of bits of machinery (I will take care as it could be dangerous, but it looks great fun to  climb and investigate), lots of space, warm sheds, hay, grass, crops, rodents! (I am a champion hunter, I think) hideouts – I think this is not a bad place to live – I may well have landed on all 4 paws. 

 I am so into nosing about and   having my freedom back that I forget to go   back for my tea, or supper, and I  don't realise just how worried Mum is.  The next day I am sauntering up to thehouse when she spots me and calls, I come running and have some food,  she picks me up for a chutch and is about to go back into the house –NOOOHHH!  I squirm and scratch, Mum drops me and I  land badly – she feels guilty, but I am not hurt, and in fact within 20 seconds I am on the wall again.  This time Mum gets a ladder out, picks me up and I  scratch her (she still has this scar   years later) and I am off.  It is only later  in the day when I see her walking down the road asking other further neigh-   bours if they have seen me, that I feel a (very tiny) bit remorseful.  I go back and have a love up with Mum, and I think we both have the measure of each  other now – food, drink, a warm bed, a safe home and lots of love will always be available here, and the farm is mine to explore as I please as long as I am careful.....yay, best of both  worlds then ( I am one lucky cat !)  However,     there are loads of places to explore and I am working on a plan …...I've tried  to enlist Will, but he didn't seem very interested, or maybe he didn't under-   stand (being only a dog)  I'm not sure he would be the best side-kick to have anyway...........I may be the brains of the operation, but I want someone who could follow a simple instruction and not be distracted by a dog biscuit or a    human calling!

Me, nonchalently strolling back into the kitchen (Mum says to say the photo is in bad light and the floor is not really that dirty!)