Cat on a ... roof (25th July)

So the mewing that was interpreted by the inexperienced cat-owners as "pitiful" and a cry for help, was finally revealed as the cat equivalent of "look at me, look at me!" when Tommy (for he was the pioneer this time) ran straight back up the access tree after being "rescued".  

  

You'll notice he's playing paw/hand batting,  not at all interested in being "rescued"

In the garden 23rd July

Well - the grass finally had a cut and ... the garden swing relocated to next door after 11 years. Marley caught a bird. Inevitable it was going to be him - he's the house thief: running off growling with milk-bottle tops and mange tout (which he occasionally eats).

Probably chasing froglets, which seem to be in profusion now that I have reduced the ground cover.

Marley - yes he did slip in as well while I was watching - but only  one leg (unlike Tommy who tool a swim)

Second foray outside - and an unexpected encounter

On 19th July, the back door was opened for a second time ... with slightly different results. Marley clearly the boldest one now in the lead ...

Tommy watching big brother up ahead

Jess - a neighbour's cat. 

Clearly  thinks it's his territory

Marley raises a cheery "hello" tail

21st July - and an encounter with a bee leads to an enlarged paw

Not pictured: Tommy took a dunking in the pond after falling through the railing. This was the day after he singed his fur whilst taking a walk on the hob when a ring was on (Clara fring an egg). 3 lives gone already Tommy...   

First outside foray

18th July: After a little debate about what was a suitable age to let them go outside, we opened the back door. I was surprised at their reluctance, but pleased at their willingness to stick close by. At first they just stared out of the door. They gradually extended their exploration range to the edge of the patio. And that was it for the first session. The grass was a bit long, mostly due to the wet weather preventing weekend cutting.

Exploring technology & being pampered (3-13 July)

3rd July - Marley

6th July

6th July - Tommy, I think

12th July

  He was jumping at the w-machine window, so I started videoing, but he decided to explore from the top.

13th July - Marley closest to camera

Fun & frolics

In the Tuesday morning rush-to-school: the door to the cupboard under the stairs was briefly left open. On seeing this I knew straight away what was likely to happen & extracted Marley from his exploration of the toolboxes, paint tins, shopping bags etc. But where was Tommy? A little meow confirmed my worst fear: Tommy had clearly found the small entrance to the under-floor space (about 2 ft high). Once all the cupboard  items had been emptied, & I could crawl in and take up a few more boards - more pitiful meowing.  So I called to him, the meowing got closer & he stood looking up at me, a liberal plastering of dust on his head. I reached down into the hole &, clever cat, he allowed me to pick him up. P texted to her sister: "Tommy's already lost one of his nine lives".   There's lots of sleeping, running around & fighting (see video) & then ... disgrace: peed on our duvet on Saturday morning (that's Tommy watching the cover being washed for the second time in two days). We love 'em still: hilarious watching them chase each other around. And Tommy has now found his purr!

Sleeping on the washing

Look - stripey cats

Cat TV

The three boys

Route planning