Let me tell you a tale. A tale about a very fine cat.
One cold and wintry spring day a lady noticed a young cat in the garden. It was cold and grey out there and the firery coat of the ginger cat caught her eye amongst the bushes in the garden. Inside were her two old bull dogs, snoozing by the aga. She mentioned the cat to her husband but he had not noticed it, she thought maybe it had gone home to sit by it's own fire. Later that evening when she was sitting in front of the roaring fire, a book on her lap and her husband watching the TV beside her. She saw a little ginger face at the window.
The cat had reached up and was peering at the cosy scene within.
The lady felt sorry for the cat and said so to her husband.
They did not know what to do. The night was growing colder and the frost was creeping across the lawn.The lady decided to give the cat some food. Not thinking the cat would like the dog food she opened a tin of salmon, placed it into a saucer and went outside with it. The cat did not run away but miaowed, but could she leave it now to make it's way home? She reluctantly turned her back and walked into the warm house.
The cat did not go home.
The cat did not go home.
He stayed there all night. In the morning the lady and gentleman decided it was lost. They had a discussion about the cat and it was agreed that the cat could not come into the house because of the dogs but they could give it a box and a blanket in the boiler room which had a door into the back yard. It would be warm there and could leave when it wanted to. So this was done.
Later they telephoned their local Cats Protection and RSPCA and reported they had found a very fine ginger cat, had anyone reported him missing? No, but they will make a note of it.
A day went by. Then two, then three. He became very at home in the boiler house eating tuna and salmon. After a week the couple bought cat food and cat milk and he was christened. Clementine, or Clemmy for short.
A day went by. Then two, then three. He became very at home in the boiler house eating tuna and salmon. After a week the couple bought cat food and cat milk and he was christened. Clementine, or Clemmy for short. He grew into the most loving and cuddly cat. The couple worried about the dogs ever seeing him and chasing him. One day when the gentleman was feeding the dogs. He was putting their food into their bowls and turned around to see Clemmy sat next two the two waiting dogs. They did not bat an eye-lid, they ate their food, Clemmy ate his and from then on he was part of the household. Part of the family.
A few years later another strange cat appeared in the garden. This was a shy cat mainly black with half of his face white, white paws and a white bib. He followed Clemmy around for weeks. The gentleman said Clemmy had obviously told the black cat he had found a good home and had invited him to stay, so he did.
The black cat was not quite as friendly as Clemmy and it took over a year for him to feel comfortable enough for them to go near him or for him to come into the house. Many years later with the two old bulldogs gone. the house settled into a cat household, the lady and gentleman and Clemmy and Panda.
Now a tale like this can not have a happy ending. For ten years, Clemmy stayed with the lady and gentleman, ten loving, happy years. Pets die far too soon and Clemmy became ill and last Monday he had to be put to sleep. It was a peaceful ending, quietly at home with the lady and gentleman at his side. Clemmy was the most beautiful of cats, a joy to know and a constant companion. He will be missed greatly.
Then on to Attingham Farm. We saw the cows being milked, a naughty Peacock chasing the hens and some very cute lambs.
The National Trust are just starting to restore it.
And some of my flowers battered by the tree fellers are recovering themselves beautifully.
It is a great place and if you ever get the chance to visit please do.
We were so engrossed in the place we forgot to eat our lunch so had to find a little village on the way home for our picnic.