THE CAT'S JOURNEY

It would take many weeks for the cat to get back to her home. She had been put in a van and then left in a remote area of the country two days later. She didn't know where she was, but was able to catch wildlife to keep going on her long journey home. Occasionally, small ponds gave her all the water she needed, which wasn't a lot.

Home - she wondered how long it would take to get there, and what she would find when she eventually did. The men who broke their way into the house were not very good to her Human and the smell all round them was vile! The cat knew that her sense of smell was stronger than anyone else's - but her Human was badly affected by it and could hardly breathe.

Occasionally a human saw her on her journey, but she walked purposefully towards her goal. As long as she seemingly ignored them, no-one tried to catch her. The days had started to become colder and she knew she would soon have to find somewhere suitable to hide from the snow and cold. Suddenly she came across a farm, which could be her refuge for the winter. The farmer's wife saw the visitor and gave her some cat food, there was a cat already living there, but he was old and no longer able to catch mice and rats. He told the newcomer that the farm was a good place to pass time, with good humans who would feed them regularly. All they had to do was to catch and kill mice and rats, leaving the bodies in a special place so the humans knew rhey were doing their job. He was slow, and would love to have an active partner.

They became very good friends and it wasn't too long before there were four kittens to nurture. The cat was eager to resume her journey, so was happy to find that spring was approaching quickly. Her friend was no longer able to catch mice and rats, so the two male kittens were left with him after being trained to help out.  Their sisters would travel with their mother and find good homes for themselves, They were told about how to live in loving homes with humans, so they could settle into homes without too much stress.

Their journey was slow as the kittens wanted to know about everything - people, dogs, cats, and what their lives could be like in the future. One day they came across another farm, but the mother persuaded her daughters to move quickly and quietly, and get away. She had seen two dogs on the premises, one of whom had lots of scars on its face, and fresh wounds as well.  It was clearly no place for a cat at all!

Soon they discovered another friendly farm, and the resident cat said the family were very friendly and would welcome them all. However, the mother had a mission ahead of her, so one kitten was left to help with the necessary rodent control.  Some weeks later the remaining kitten found a home for life with a lovely family, and the cat was able to continue her journey back home.

It was very difficult to work out how long the journey would be, especially when signs of winter started yet again. She knew she was going in the right direction, but surely she would reach home soon! It hadn't seemed such a long journey by road, but she knew it would still take several months. Her best route was away from villages, but she could go there if there was no alternative. Any towns or cities were too dangerous. In villages people liked seeing a cat, and left bowls of milk out for her - however she avoided drinking any since she had been weaned. Some meat was welcome as she needed to eat as much as possible to be prepared for winter - which wasn't far away. One blessing she had was the ability to hibernate for about six weeks. Going through villages gave her the food her body needed to survive. Hibernation wasn't part of cat's normal talents, but a friend of her Human was a seer and able to find suitable spells to help the cat in any situation. What these were would remain unknown until needed

The cat was very confused , she didn't know why the seasons were changing so quickly. The tie to her Human was sometimes strong and sometimes weak. It was all such a mystery she decided to find somewhere safe to sleep for a week and see if her questions were answered. Eight days later, questions had been mainly answered, but not everything was clear. She tried to make sense out of the confusion and that wasn't very easy. The passage of time had become clear - instead of the normal several cat years = one human year - she was on a different timescale. She would experience human years but at an accelerated level. She decided to stop worrying about it and let that do what it needed to do. The main concern was about the link with her Human - it kept coming and going. She now knew things would be okay, although she had a sense of loss deeper than she had ever known.

The near future - a trial of some of her beliefs. She deciided to try to take each new day as happy as possible, and continue with her journey the next day, she had spent too much time in her current location. That night she had a dreadful nightmare, of the men who had taken her initially - looking for her because someone thought she had knowledge and skills to use. Instead of requests, she would be kicked, trod on and whipped - in front of her Human. At least she knew her Human was still alive, but where was she? Why wasn't she having thoughts from her human - this she craved!

Continuing with her journey was difficult, she was so suspicious whenever she was na humans, and there were so many of them - more than had ever seen in one location. She could have found a relatively safe place and hibernated, but she knew that would let her be found by the men. Most of her life had been spent with her Human, and she had become used to sleeping through the night, but didn't know if the men were aware of that. It depended on what information they had been given by her Human, friends and neighbours.

Out of nowhere came a feeling of total despair that she nearly screamed and ran away. She instinctively knew that the people who had catnapped her were nearby, but concentrating on farms. They didn't know she was living by her own means. The first winter had been excellent, although never to happen again, Her body was in the best condition ever and she knew she would meet up with her kittens when the time came for them all to be reunited. She was happy they were not with her, the countless questions "are we nearly there yet", "how long will it take", and others of that ilk, would have clouded her mind.

Days later there was a huge wave of relief, she had covered many miles and found a sense of carefree abandonment. And, out of the blue she found herself to be aware of where her Human was. They would meet again very soon. The meeting place came into view, and with it a sense of joyful relief. The men who had taken her away were no longer looking for her, Her Human had turned away and apologised  for the cat's problems with the men. The cat, using her last gift, quickly reassured her, it had been a very difficult time, but they were together again and no-one would ever bother them at all now.

The next morning, the cat woke and realised that her life was as it had always been, before the dreadful experiences. She was back to living a normal cat's life. Her Human was unaware of the cat's perilous journey, and would never know of it because it had all been a dream!

A novel written by

Virginia Kop
owner of Kop's Kattery

23 June 2015

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

The New Blogger In Town

Hello, all!

It is six weeks since I first set foot in this lovely house, but I really feel at home - despite the chaos. I have recovered from the seemingly never-ending flight, but shall never fly again! I've enjoyed some shopping trips for furniture, etc. Now have a workable kitchen, everything  had to be changed so I could work in there to suit my mobility problems. The guest bedroom and lounge are complete, my bedroom should be finished soon. The bookshelves are still under construction in my study, but I have found a carpenter to finish them for me. In the meantime my tabby kittens, Thyme and Tansy, love attacking each other through the books piled up on the floor, think shall have to sort them out into the right order again - once the bookshelves are ready. And am working with the carpenter on some special toys for the kittens after the books are well out of reach! 

I found a super guy to make a special structure to keep the kittens safe in the back yard, protect them from sun, keep other cats, etc, out. It covers about a third of the garden, includes a shelter with food, toys, water and catlit tray, and is accessible from the utility room. The cage is movable so we don't damage only one part of the grass - it is moved every three days. The kittens don't understand about the pool yet, try to follow me when I go out for a swim in the evening or early morning. They aren't allowed out overnight, and are nearly at the stage of sleeping all night, thank goodness!! They enjoy visitors, too, really love playing with Alicia's children, who visit us often. I'm glad they find it easier to relate to people than Bracken and Juniper did, and even Alicia has been their love victim when she brings me coffee! And they cope quite well with the heat - which is too much for me and summer is still a while away!! Thank goodness for air conditioning and the shaded part of the pool! And very cool clothing - which is okay for now, goodness knows what I'll be wearing in the summer!!!

Although had Broadband available soon after arriving, decided to wait until everything was nearly sorted and I had recovered from the long flight, acclimatised a little, and was nearly ready for visits from Bloggers from other parts of Oz. Without Alicia and her family I wouldn't be as far along as I am. Without their help and information about shops, etc, I would probably be sleeping, etc, in the lounge and trying to find things taken out from the crates and left in piles in the bedroom! Thank you very much, you are so sweet!! And, of course, they found me the cutest tabby kittens I have ever seen!! 

Really pleased to let you know that my first guest is coming very soon for a few days, am both nervous and excited in equal measures! The spunky blogger - Peggy, known as cake crumbs & beach sand - will be the very first person staying over. Have other Bloggers on my 'guest list'! Lisa, Two Point Five Kids, and Sonia, life love & hiccups, will arrive separately - Sonia first, with Lisa a day or two later. Should be great fun - and of course Alicia will pop over when she can! Stocking the larder with vodka, wine and other drinks, lots of coffee for me. Apart from just my meeting these lovely people, it will give Thyme and Tansy lots of socialising experience

Virginia Kop/Kop's Kattery

5 November 2013

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UNPACKING!!!!

With thanks to CG who keeps giving me titles to build a story around!

I arrived at my house in Cairns yesterday, and was so pleased to just close the door and try out my new beds! All the travelling had left me exhausted and I needed a good night's sleep. Thank goodness I have come at a cool time of year!! 

Now I start the task of unpacking the crates I sent over from the UK some time ago. The outsides aren't damaged and I hope all the packing materials kept breakages at bay. I think I'll start with the items to go in the kitchen - oh, good, no china breakages! Was worried a little about the crockery, especially as I think it will be used more often here. Luckily, I have a week before the shipping agent comes to collect the empty crates. May need most of the time to sort out the books, especially as I need to make bookshelves - my router will finally be used as I intended when I first bought it, and the assortment of bits may give interesting finishes to the woodwork. However, as long as I do not have books lying around everywhere, I shall be happy to build the basic shelves and add fancy touches later.

Yippee! No breakages of my ornaments and pictures!! Although I gave lots away to charity shops before they were packed, I think there will be a few to go to an op shop [charity shops in Oz!] soon. Part of the packing protection of these items was cat accessories. I didn't want to get rid of the triangular-ish catlit tray, and know the cat carrier will be very useful. Shall have to read all the notes Alicia kindly prepared on local shopping areas, especially those selling cat food, etc, and, as soon as the tabby kittens come here and have settled in, they will be registered with the best veterinary surgeon and a timeline worked out for shots and neutering. The carrier is large enough to transport both of them for several months, so it will be a while before I have to buy a second. Shall see how life is with two feline companions for a while before I decide whether or not I take on any more kittens. Would love a houseful, but have to talk to the immediate neighbours to see how they feel about several cats allowed outside during the day. It doesn't take long for cats to adjust to human hours, and I shall have to make sure they do not roam during the day, and are safely indoors overnight.

I took the time to empty the luggage brought with me, travelled light as I knew a lot of my clothes would be too warm for life in Cairns, while I had a welcome coffee and snack lunch. Am still missing Bracken a great deal, was looking for her to share my lunch, at least she had a long and good life and passed peacefully in her sleep. 

Day three - penultimate crate - bedlinen, curtains, etc. I left all the duvets and pillows behind, think duvets won't be needed here, although I brought all of my crocheted blankets. Need new pillows, like to have four on each double bed, two memory foam and two thinner foam pillows. Love the linen cupboard here, oodles of shelves and space! Shall store pictures and ornaments in here whilst deciding what goes where.

Day five - last crate - books. For the time being I have put some in the second bedroom and most of the rest in the linen cupboard. Books I want to hand are in the living room, on a small bookcase Alicia provided. If it wasn't for Alicia and her family, I would not have such a lovely home. They found all the basic items I required, including a dishwasher, and gave me several surprise items I hadn't thought about, including some small shrubs in planters, and arranged for a gardener to come regularly to mow the grass, etc, and he brings his own equipment!!

Thank you very much, Alicia and your lovely family for everything you have done for me!!!

Virginia Kop/Kop's Kattery

29 October 2013

I Have A Dream!

I often plan unattainable events - designing property to live in if I had £mega-millions. What charities to give chunks of that money to, etc, etc. I don't try to win that kind of money nowadays, too scary! Recently I started another dream - going to Oz, meeting most of my lovely Bloggers, then settling down near one of them. This dream is crazier than any others! For the simple reason that I cannot travel more than 2-3 miles!

Where to start? Having the money safely in a Bank Account (or three), the next step is to arrange for my very first passport at age 63. That means a journey to another county!! After discussing my plans with Australia House, I am given the appropriate visa. The next step is consulting a Blogger in the area where I'd like to have my 'forever home', and arranging to buy a property there with basic furniture, not taking what I have already - except for some crockery, cutlery and cookware. cushion covers, bedlinen, curtains, lots of books, electronics, dvds, cds, cassette tapes, videotapes, cat bits & pieces, photos, pictures and special ornaments. They will not travel with me, have a very busy time before emptying the boxes at my new home.

I didn't want to fly to Oz, know there will be lots of flying once there, so planned to take a liner. Easy, no! No current direct liners from the UK, could go to America, transit that country then board another liner to Oz! Don't really want to go by freight carrier, but am not a cruise person so that may be the only option. As long as I can get to Perth! There eventually and after grillings by Customs and Immigration, my first port of call is an hotel, where I regain my land-legs for several days before contacting a special Blogger - Peggy of cake crumbs & beach sand. After a few meetings over several days as and when convenient - marvellous coffee and cakes, cute lunches - we take our leave of each other, and I 'jump on a plane' and visit with another Blogger. Then, back to Perth, for the last time. Goodbye Perth!

Off to Sydney, thank goodness the wildfires are over, it is terrible to see the damage they have made as the plane approaches Sydney airport. Still have the palaver of getting through Customs and Immigration, especially because I am not carrying lots of clothing, etc! No quick meetings with Bloggers here, flying is still a new form of travel for me - and I shall be very happy when I alight from the final plane in a few weeks' time! I contact some family whom I've never met before, but 'know' from Facebook. Making the most of the shops in Sydney, meet up with with a special Blogger - Sonia of Life, Love and Hiccups! We are both nervous, so it takes a while to get past the initial pleasantries and 'warm up' to each other. There is another Blogger, who is a very busy woman, to meet, but I decide to go to Melbourne first where more lovely Bloggers await my call from the Hotel once I've recovered. Am shown some lovely parts of the city, and I'm so happy I decided to spend more than a week here! Back to Sydney - gosh I've put a lot of flying behind me, and pleased I only have one more flight! Decide I must take the opportunity to visit Bondi Beach! Have seen it so often on tv it is all very familiar. I'm not swimming, surfing or paddling - just enjoying the vibes from this iconic place. Also visit that other icon - Sydney Opera House, nothing on the programme I'd like to see though. 

I'm taking my time in Sydney, need to get furniture and other items for my new home, and love shopping with Sonia, an avid home-maker, who shows me lots of  lovely shops. Once we've finished shopping, and I have met up with the busy Blogger - another special person, as they all are! -  it is time to say goodbye to Sydney and head off, by plane, to Brisbane. Last airport, thank goodness! A bit too old to get used to all of this, glad I decided to hire car and chauffeur for the last part of my journey!  The penultimate Blogger is just as lovely as the rest, and I'm so very happy I've taken the opportunity to meet so many! Final shopping, including food for the drive to Cairns, and for my new home. Yes, I could have flown instead of taking two days - no more planes, too fast for me really. Want to savour the countryside at a decent speed!

At Cairns I receive a very big, warm greeting from Alicia, of 365 Moments of Gratitude Project and her lovely family. We have been in regular contact for some time now, she even assisted me in finding a suitable property nearby, acting as my Agent, and arranged some basic furniture, plus every item I need in the kitchen - good, a dishwasher! which I am delighted to see - although not as nice as finally meeting this remarkable woman and her family. There is even the opportunity to foster-to-adopt a kitten in the near future. Luckily I kept some of the items I had in England, and had them shipped here. Once all the purchases in Sydney have been delivered and unpacked and I'm feeling very much at home I shall go to see the kitten - the perfect way to meet the new feline in my life! No doubt there will be others - I'll be the Pommie Crazy Cat Lady in Cairns! It has been an incredible journey and I am so very happy I was given the opportunity to enjoy the rest of my life in this beautiful country.


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Virginia Kop/Kop's Kattery

26 October 2013
My Mother's Birthday 1925

MOON

The Blogfast Club

MOON

Silvie woke with a start, not knowing how or why. Her room was much darker than normal as the window was boarded up to stop her looking at the Moon - much closer than normal and brightly blue - the Harvest Moon!

The Elders and villagers had warned all the girls who were between 11 and 16 years of age to keep to their darkened rooms for the week the Moon visited every 13 years. Whilst crops flourished under this Moon, any maiden looking at it was instantly transfixed and became shells of their former selves. These poor souls were taken to a special part of the forest to live their lives out with no recollection of how they had been before looking at the Moon. They could not speak, sing, dance, or do anything except eat one meal a day which was provided for them.

Whilst Silvie loved life too much to want to be one of those people, she knew she had to see the Moon very soon, before it went away again. If caught trying to remove any part of the boarding, she would be locked in a windowless room for the rest of the Moon's visit. That she didn't want either, as her only human contact would come from her Mother pushing food and drink though a small hole in the door until it was safe for her to be released. "I wonder why I feel that I MUST see the Moon?", she mused quietly to herself. During the time before the Moon's arrival, she had experimented with as many tools as she could find and had selected a pointed file as being the quietest and quickest one to make a hole in the boards. She was aware that two of the floorboards had been adapted to make a noise if she trod on them, but she had discovered that her chair could straddle them safely if carefully positioned.

Checking the time on her clock, she decided that there was sufficient time to make the hole before the household started to wake. Carefully moving the chair, Silvie started using the pointed file to make a start on a portion of the board which seemed to be the best place to start. It was a really slow business, seemed to take hours just to get the hole started, but when she looked at the clock she was relieved to see that mere minutes had passed. "Keep going, Silvie, there is ample time", she said, listening in case there was any noise in the house at all. As the file bit through the wood, she could see a little blue colour behind it - "nearly there, So close, so very, very close to the Moon. Surely it cannot be much longer now until I know why I must see it?" 

As the hole grew larger, and the blue streamed into her room, Silvie was transfixed, but then she saw the spirit of the Moon, holding out his hand, saying "Silvie, you were promised to me many years ago. Come, take my hand and we shall leave a message for your family so they do not wonder where you have gone. I have waited for you for aeons and now we are together there will be no more maidens lost each time the Harvest Moon appears. From now on, the maidens are safe and we shall come every year to enhance the crops." Hand in hand, the pair walked to the Blue Moon and disappeared into it.

After several years passed, the villagers were so thankful for the safety of their maidens and the regularly fruitful crops that they held a festival on the first day of the Harvest Moon and were sure they could see Silvie with the spirit of the Moon dancing amongst them, along with several smaller shapes signifying their offspring.

Virginia Kop/Kop's Kattery
12 October 2013

The new challenge is a story - about whatever you like! Enjoy!