We've been gripped by some sense of normality for weeks now. No catches, no unpleasant early morning surprises. What passes for cold weather in these globally warmed times has started and that's meant more lap residence.

A Week in the Country

We had a week in the wind and the rain. The cat-flap is now in the back door of the country retreat (at some pain to the builder who I'm sure views it as a good door ruined). Obviously we had every expectation that the house would be filled with mice. In fact he was reasonably abstemious; two on the first evening and two on the last. Each comprising of a one dead (gnawed) and an one alive (released). In fact the second brace were clearly voles - long pointy, hairless noses otherwise covered in grey/black velvet fur. They were quite beautiful and he's been suitably admonished.

And he has another trick too. Despite being restricted to the kitchen overnight, he has worked out that via the garage roof (well, timbers anyway, it's still not built), he can get onto our first floor bedroom window sill. There to miaow in the early morning. First time we were impressed and let him in and he settled immediately and slept late with us. Subsequently it's been a device to get us up for an early breakfast. So now we heartlessly leave him out there - with the double glazing and the covers over your ears you can hardly hear him...