A Blogger from Oz!

Whilst talking to a friend about my previous story - I Have A Dream - I mentioned part of a message from an Oz Blogger, saying she or someone would come over to the UK, ply me with vodka and take me over there! That prompted a title for another story - this one!

A BLOGGER FROM OZ!

Hello, Sonia from Life Love & Hiccups in Oz, blogging from the UK!

And what am I doing here, you ask? [If not, you are off my Christmas card list! Just joking!] I'm here as the special guest of a good supporter who also has her own Blog page - Virginia Kop and Kop's Kattery. For a very special reason - she is moving to Oz permanently and I volunteered to be her companion because it is a long flight for someone who has never flown before. There is such an undercurrent of excitement and a little fear  it feels as though she is going to pop any second. I cannot imagine how she managed to stay sane whilst arranging her first ever passport, and visiting the Australian Embassy in London to obtain her migration visa!!

We are travelling light, Virginia sent some crates by sea - books, pictures, ornaments, crockery and cutery, plus other special items. No furniture - is having all new items in her house in Cairns. Yes, she is bravely leaving the UK climate for the tropical one in Cairns! She has a wheeled case with clothes and a cabin bag with two Nevil Shute Books [In The Wet and The Far Country], a wordsearch book and a notebook to record experiences for her first Blog In Oz - 'A New Blogger in Oz' could well be the title!

The housing here is certainly different from what I've encountered before - a few areas with detached and semi-detached houses and bungalows - and it is intriguing to think that this house built in the 1890's, along with many others. It is one of 27 terraced houses, each one attached to its neighbours. There are several blocks to make up the whole odd-numbered side of the strret. Opposite the front is another block, the even-numbered, with smallish yards sorry, gardens, and a public footpath down the middle. The main room - a combination of sitting and dining room is large, as is the master bedroom. The second bedroom is small, but can hold a double bed. Virginia explains that the kitchen and bathroom were added on in the 1960's - cosy, yet practical. The landlords will probably modernise the kitchen, Virginia wasn't willing to put up with five days of noise, dirt and electrical interference to let them install a fitted kitchen.

Five empty bookcases, a cupboard and a lovely double bed are going to be collected for a charity shop tomorrow. All the carpets and various small pieces of furniture will be put in the front yard garden for collection and disposal.   

We have a limousine booked to take us to the airport, Virginia doesn't drive - and has no intention of learning! It will not be too long before I'm back home. Alicia [365 Moments of Gratitude] and her family will meet us when we arrive in Cairns. They have been a godsend - finding and buying a suitable house and basic furniture for Virginia, with money she sent over for that very purpose. Being in different time zones is a bit tricky, as I've found out this week away from MY family. I am looking forward to going home once we reach Cairns and I see the new abode. We have just heard from Alicia - Virginia's crates have arrived early! And she knows where there are two tabby kittens requiring a loving home!! It looks as though anyone wanting to meet Virginia will have to go to Cairns!!

Virginia Kop/Kop's Kattery

28 October 2013

DUMB ANIMALS - NO WAY!!!

My name is Bracken, I am a cat who has lived here for nearly 16 years - nearly 112 in cat years! Since the beginning of my life here, I have demonstrated that I understand a lot of what is said to me, have routines I love and regularly practice Nurture Over Nature! 

As I arrived here with my brother, Juniper, and made friends with two older cats, Gem and Shushu, it was obvious that shouting our names to get our attention and come in from the garden, or come downstairs, would take too much time and be too noisy. So, my Human developed a whistle which clearly told all of us we are wanted. Now I am an 'only cat' it is still the best method of gaining my attention! Cats are natural hunters, but when my Human sees me preparing to chase a bird  she shouts 'NO, Bracken, NO' - and I obediently leave the bird to its own devices.

However, I have been known to bring some wildlife indoors - to play with! I am well fed, so don't need to eat birds or mice. In the past I have caught butterflies and ate them, Juniper used to catch them too, but didn't eat thems so I had a treat! Nearly every time I go out my Human tells me not to bring in any birds, anything else alive - except for myself, of course. She recently had to add 'nothing else at all' as I came in with a discarded cooked chicken leg!

There is a hedge nearby where blackbirds and other birds have nests, and I used to lie in the garden regularly, just watching the comings and goings. Was in trouble over a year ago as I caught one of the fledglings, but I willingly gave it to my Human. Sadly it died of shock. I had been good for many months so my Human hadn't warned me about catching creatures. Now she tells me at least once a day - better to be safe than sorry!! Sadly, the hedge is going to be removed some time this year.

Last year I was diagnosed with arthritis and have to take medicine every day. As it doesn't have an odour to it, it is generally put on some cat pate and the taste is quite nice - sweet! Unfortunately my Human ran out of my pate and couldn't go to the shop which sells it [due to her arthritis and other problems], so added it into my cat milk. Which had worked well before the pate was originally discovered, but I wasn't drinking it all quickly and just kept going back and forth for a little drink. On Wednesday she removed the cat milk and told me that she was going to the shop after lunch and would be buying pate, so I could have a little amount of medicine in it when she got back. Returning fully laden, she chased me into the house - I'd love to go out the back door, but only allowed if I am in my carrier! There are different places in our lounge where food, milk, biscuits and treats are placed, so I went to the part where I mainly get treats - unfortunately I couldn't wait patiently, so went into the kitchen and told my Human in loud tones that I wanted it NOW! One of my nicknames is 'NatteryBrack'! 

I don't have any experience with dogs, so cannot speak for them but - CATS ARE NOT DUMB ANIMALS!!!

Written for Bracken

Kop's Kattery member

Virginia Kop

10 January 2014