Today, we bid a sad farewell to Biscuit.

Over the past six months her health had really started to deteriorate and based on our previous experience of owning Persians, by the time they get to 14, they’re suffering.

Biscuit was fourteen-and-a-quarter!

With her sister passing back in August 2017, she had become ‘top-cat’ (literally) here in the years that followed – and was in rude health. It was only really at the start of this year that we started to notice a deterioration.

Long-story-short, in recent months she’d lost the sight in one eye and had an abscess on her face that refused to heal, regularly spouting blood (and yukky ‘stuff’). A course of antibiotics seemed to help a little, but by last weekend, she was stumbling around, walking into things, refusing to jump up (or down).

And to make matters worse, to us, it seemed like she’d now lost her sight in the other eye too. She was completely lethargic, not eating, not drinking and not responding to any petting either. A shadow of her former self and not the Biscuit we remember, it was a real sad sight and some action was required.

So, we made the call to the local Vet and secured a 5.45pm appointment. I guess the weather was appropriate for the situation – it had rained all day and it was very cold. As we took the last walk from the car to her final appointment, the weather deteriorated even further and it felt like a day in darkest November! Truly depressing in every sense!

We were seen more-or-less on time and all credit to the Veterinary Practice – and Paul in particular – in that they talked us through the various options for Biscuit going forward. Ultimately, in both our heads we had already decided that Biscuit had suffered enough. We said our final goodbyes and Biscuit was taken away for her final sleepover.

Biscuit – ‘Villiers Golden Biscuit’
Born: 10 March 2005
Died: 10 June 2019
Lived for: 5206 days
14 years, 3 months, 1 day

It hit us hard – not immediately – but it did hit us! We consoled ourselves in that we’d done the right thing. She’d had a very pampered life and all us humans who were part of her life had enjoyed her company.

Time for both of us to drop-off the radar for a spell, whilst we process all of this.

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post RIP Biscuit appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Biscuit turned 14 today.

With Bon-Bon looking down on her sister, Biscuit continues to be ‘top-cat’. She’s still VERY vocal at times – quite spontaneously – and a year since it first started, we’ve still no idea what she wants. It’s amazing how such a small mouth can emit such a loud noise. Luckily, her ‘tantrums’ are over as quickly as they started and when it’s at 3am, that’s a welcome relief!

She continues to be a ‘sofa-cat’ and pops up next to us in the evenings when she feels like it (which is quite often – and something she NEVER did when Bon-Bon was around).

Once a lover of tinned Tuna (only Aldi’s!), she is now completely indifferent to it. She’s back on Senior Iams and fresh chicken. She’s also sable to resist a saucer of the famous Dreamies!

She’s sleeping a lot more and hardly ever wanders upstairs when we’re asleep – she seems quite content sleeping on one of the sofas.

Patsy, our nearby Groomer, still sees her every six weeks, (every four, in the Winter), and is keeping on top of her coat. And although she planned to close down her Persian Rescue business, a year-or-so ago (again!) she still continues to take in strays and provide ‘top cat’ with a first-class grooming and bathing service. Health-wise, Biscuit is in fine form. Although we see her limping very (very) occasionally, we assume it’s just old-age and (perhaps) a bit of arthritis in one of her back legs. Other than that, given her age, she’s doing really well.

The Cattery continues to be a god-send. We’re travelling quite a bit more these days and Valerie the owner, is recognised by Biscuit now as her second owner!

Fourteen is a good age for a Persian, so we’re counting our blessings that she is still with us.

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Moggy Birthday – Biscuit at 14 appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Biscuit turned 13 today and by my calculation that makes her about 68 in human years. Our previous two Persians (Mumsy and Bubsy) made it to almost 15 and 14 years old respectively, but were both unwell in their final years. I therefore expect, going forward, we’ll be making more trips to and from the Vets!

Biscuit at 13

So, how’s Biscuit been since Bon-Bon passed-away on the 10th August last year? Well, in short, her behaviour has changed significantly. I guess being the only feline in the house now, it’s because she’s not got any competition!

For example, whereas she never used to sit with us on the sofa – now it’s a regular occurrence. Additionally, she’s now also a lot (lot) more vocal, especially when she wants something… anything… at any time! (sometimes even at 1.30am!) And it’s not a gentle meow either, it’s more of a full vocal work-out, exercising her lungs to capacity – in fact, she can hear me typing this and she’s started calling…

…back in a mo’…

OK, back to the narrative – I think she just wanted to say ‘hello’ in her own special way!

Her eating habits have changed too. We tried Biscuit on tinned Tuna a while ago, and she adores it. When she scoffs, she does it at a ferocious speed and it would make any observer think it’s her final meal! She really does love the fish! Coincidentally, around the same time, she’s also become a bit indifferent towards the famous Dreamies – she must be the only cat we know who can resist them!!

She’s sleeping even more these days and hardly ever ventures upstairs when we’re going to bed (it used to be a regular occurrence) preferring to remain in the Lounge. Initially, we were a bit concerned, but then, just when you think you understand cats, in the past few days she’s now taken to sleeping upstairs when we retire for the night! Oh, and she’s now back on the Dreamies too!

Here is a few of her other habits…

Lap of Honour – She continues to be a lap cat when the mood takes her.

The Great Escape – A few years back, she was regularly jumping up on the fence to ‘go exploring’. Luckily, maybe because she can’t jump so high these days, these days, this never happens – thank goodness! However, she is still finding some way of getting out of the garden, having done it three or four times this year. She’s always returned some four-to-six hours later, none the worst, except for a slight limp and a satisfied look on her face.

At Night – Biscuit is always in search of a hot-spot – whether it’s radiators, or the duvet (with the sun shining through the window on her) and more recently, during the snowy weather, right in front of the gas fire – sounds like a typical cat!

Cat Tower – It’s fair to say that she doesn’t use it as much as she used to, but every so often, she’s take the lower level and stay there all day.

Health – Fit as a Butcher’s Dog err, Cat. No issues whatsoever this year. Let’s hope it continues!

Coats – Patsy, our nearby groomer, still sees her every six weeks, (every four, in the Winter), and is keeping on top of her coat. Although she closed down her Persian Rescue business last year, she still looks after Biscuit’s fur whenever we ask – it’s a great help, as Biscuit still doesn’t enjoy a bath nor extensive combing (whereas Bon-Bon enjoyed it all).

Cattery – The place we found nearby continues to impress, and she’s now been in and out quite a few times in the past year whilst we’ve taken long weekends and holidays. It’s pretty much perfect, as Gill, the owner, remains a cat-lover first, and a cattery-owner second! She also used to own a couple of Persians!

So, that’s it for 2018’s birthday girl – even without the company of her late Sister, she’s still a big part of our home, and gives us a lot of pleasure just watching her doing her ‘cat things’ (apart from the early-hours calling!)

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Moggy Birthday – Biscuit at 13! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Bonbon (with her sister) – just a few months old

Well that was a total shock!
    

I was doing this-and-that at home, I’d dropped Ann off at the Station (as she was out all day) and then I washed the Jaguar. So far, so normal!

Who could resist her?

We were due to be out in the evening, so at around 4pm, I thought I’d get the cats in from their favourite place – the garden – and then I’d get changed. Biscuit was already indoors but strangely, I couldn’t see Bonbon. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I could see that she was asleep on the top deck of the garden, stretched out, as she normally does, soaking up the warm sun.

Except that she wasn’t!

I have no idea when it happened, but she had clearly passed away. Her eyes were wide open (apparently cats die with their ‘peepers’ still on-duty) and her body was still warm. It took me a while to process the information as I still couldn’t believe what I’d seen. I called the Vet who offered to examine her, and so I took her there for the very last time.

Bonbon at 7

My guess was that it was going to be kidney failure (happens a lot with Persians at that age), or something related to her recent Coronavirus illness, but at this early stage, it was all guess-work. The Vets were lovely, so much sympathy and compassion – just what I needed! We agreed for a post-mortem to be carried out, just to determine what had happened as I was still having trouble believing that it was all over for her so quickly.

Bonbon at 12 (her final year)

After we returned from the restaurant later in the evening, there was a message on the home phone. It was Peter, from the Vets, and they carried out the post-mortem as requested. What he told me, was a total surprise. Apparently, Bonbon had suffered a heart-attack – and no other organs showed any sign of a problem. The attack was brought on by a thickening, over time, of the left wall of her heart. That, in the end, meant that the heart couldn’t work properly and she simply ‘ran out of puff’ as her heart slowly failed.

Yeesh! At least, we’re told, that her end would have been mercifully quick, and she wouldn’t have suffered too much, I took comfort in the fact that I didn’t see her have the actual attack – as that would have been just too much!

Bye-bye Bonbon. We loved you for many years and you gave us so much more love back in return.
    

Pedigree Name: ‘Villiers Silver Bom Bom’
Our name: Bonbon
Born: 10 March 2005
Died: 10 August 2017
Lived for: 4537 days
12 years, 5 months, 1 day

Update: Saturday, August 19, 2017

We picked up her Ashes today…

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post RIP Bonbon appeared first on Steve's Blog.

The Moggies turned 12 today – that makes them around 64 in ‘human years’.

Habits-wise, they’re very much the same – they still wake us up at whatever time suits them (2.45am seems favourite at the mo’) to let them out; they still prefer dry cat food to wet; they’ll do anything for Dreamies and they still have their favourite sleeping places (minimum criteria: warm, soft and wherever possible, above ground).

We’ve tended to assume that they’ll both go on forever, but in the past year, we’ve definitely noticed them slowing-down a bit. Biscuit doesn’t seem to want to scale high fences anymore (good!). When she’s indoors, she’ll now always use the route that results in the shortest jump to the ground (even though it results in a much longer journey overall).

Bon-Bon is even less energetic and hasn’t fared so well health-wise. In recent weeks has been to the Vets where she ‘enjoyed’ being on a drip for three days plus a cocktail of drugs. As I write this blog, she’s on the mend, but has lost a lot of weight.

Biscuit at 12

Bon-Bon at 12

Our previous two Persians (Mumsy and Bubsy) made it to almost 15 and 14 years old respectively and so over the next few years we recognise that we’ll be making trips to and from the Vets a bit more often!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Happy 12th Birthday Moggies! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

The Cats turned 11 today. Various advice seems to suggest that makes them around 65 in ‘human years’ – One of us here is catching them up though!

Biscuit at 11

Bon-Bon at 11

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Catty Birthday! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Return to Titchmarsh appeared first on Steve's Blog.

David and I tackled the suspected ‘escape loophole’ for Biscuit today, by duplicating the established extra trellis construction from earlier this year, on the east (left) side of the garden, towards Karen and Paul’s.

Biscuit

Having tried a temporary construction over the past few weeks, we’re pretty sure that’s where she was exiting. David and I started and 8.30 and luckily, the weather didn’t turn into yesterday’s heatwave, meaning we could work at quite a pace. Just after noon, it was all done – all that’s needed is a lick of paint on our side (we’ve painted Karen and Paul’s side), and it’s ‘job done’.

Stalag Pemberley – towards the Eastern Sector

Ann and Val prepared lunch – homemade soup, homemade mackerel pate, potato salad and cheese – just what we needed after a hard morning ‘on the land’

Surely Biscuit can’t get out now!! (famous last words!!!)

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Stalag Pemberley – The Eastern Sector appeared first on Steve's Blog.

In that famous Victor Meldrew voice: “I don’t believe it!”

Hard to believe that today, the cats reached the age of 10. From what I’ve read, that means according to the official calculation/conversion they’re about 57 years old in human years. Actually, I’m surprised Biscuit has made it this far with all her recent Steve McQueen-like escapades!

Bon-Bon

Biscuit

As Kittens

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post A Furry Happy Birthday! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Stalag Pemberley appeared first on Steve's Blog.

After our cats, Biscuit and Bon-Bon, went over to Patsy’s yesterday, for their regular ‘wash ‘n’ brush-up’, it was now time to show another cat some attention!

The XKR needed a little TLC at Marshalls Jaguar, Peterborough – nothing major, mainly blown bulbs and four-wheel tracking –  and they were good enough to pick it up, and leave me a loan car too!

#MarshallsJaguarPeterborough

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Pussy Galore appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Biscuit

Bon-Bon

The twins turned nine today. Oh, the tales they could tell – probably more than 9 – but that would have ruined the title!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Cats of Nine Tales appeared first on Steve's Blog.

We popped over to Wootton to Chris and Gill’s for a meal tonight. Steve and Denise were also there, but the added surprise was Wootton’s now acquired three additional cats in the shape of Evie, Archie, Hattie. They join Charlie – and the ageing Carmen (20 years young) to complete the ‘set’

Two minutes later, I couldn’t tell you who-was-who!



Fish was on the menu (how cat-like!) as well as lamb (not so much!), and we spent the majority of the evening putting right all that was wrong with the world today – schooling, racism, Essex girls, TV reality shows and the changing landscape of Chelmsford (where we’d all once lived/worked) were all debated to death accompanied by food, drink and laughter in equal volumes!

..a great night!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Pussy Galore appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Thanks for all your help everyone – we’re now back to our full complement of cats!!!

At just after 4am this morning, when I let Biscuit out into the garden, who was sitting out there? You guessed it: Bon-Bon.

So, after almost 60 hours of freedom, she managed to find her way home – not bad for a cat who’s NEVER seen Tynan Close before!!!

It may be a coincidence or something even cleverer, but just before we went to bed last night, we came up with an idea. It was prompted by the fact that I’d spotted white fur on the OUTSIDE at the base of the garden gate. We knew she couldn’t have got OUT by going underneath as she’s too fat and the gap is too small, so I reckoned that perhaps she was coming back at night and resting up against the gate – that being her original point of exit (they say cats trace very precise routes). With the gate being shut, she couldn’t get back in, and therefore she returned to wherever she’s been spending her time.

So, the plan was to leave the gate open all night and place some old clothes of mine nearby, that she sleeps on when she’s indoors. We were hoping that a cat’s phenomenal sense of smell might allow her to home-in on the garden once more with the clothes providing the final confirmation that she was in the right place! Well, whether the plan worked as described, or it was just plain coincidence, we’re not sure – but at least she’s back!

She doesn’t appear to be injured, in fact she looked perfectly OK considering she’s been sleeping rough for 60 hours – the only issue is her fur is now a bit greasy and she seems to have acquired a fair amount of foliage.

Phew!!

I love a happy ending!

Thanks for your help everyone!!!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Pussy Galore! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

David I mail-shotted Nash Court and nearby roads this morning – they back onto the Spinney.

Thanks to Rosi, Heather and Stella for Facebooking their network. Kerry has also spoken to Budgens about placing a notice in their shop window – cheers! Ta to Jo for her Google Maps research into the local area.

Still no sign of Bon-Bon. Fingers crossed that we get a positive result!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Missing Moggy (+48 hours) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

We’ve mail-shotted every house that surrounds our estate. Now, we sit back and wait for the phone call!

What a crap day!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Missing Moggy (+24 hours) appeared first on Steve's Blog.

This is really weird!

Bon-Bon is the sort of cat who likes to take it easy. Very easy! They say that dog’s have owners whilst cats have ‘staff’ – Our two cats just have ‘chilling-out’ as an Olympic sport!!!

She’s not interested in climbing fences or chasing birds – she just watches other do that! If it was our other cat, Biscuit, we wouldn’t have worried quite so much about not seeing her for a while, as she often goes ‘walkabout’.

It all seems very strange. It was a dry, warm day here yesterday, so as normal, the cats were in and out of the garden. I was at home all day (apart from popping round to David’s at lunchtime) but at around 4ish, I realised I hadn’t seen Bon-Bon for a while. I left it for a bit, because even with Bon-Bon’s sloth-like approach to life, she may have been mooching around the garden’s undergrowth somewhere.

Three hours later, there was still no sign of her, so now we were getting really worried! But, you know what cats are like, they can tuck themselves in the craziest of places and stay very quiet – in short, if they don’t want to be found, they won’t be! We checked the inside of the house (and the garden) over and over again – all the normal places, and then all the ABnormal places: airing cupboard, inside the washing machine, the garage, the area outside the front of the house and finally, next door’s garden, but there was still no sign of her.

When we went to bed just before 10.30, the situation hadn’t changed.

As expected, we had a restless night, and when we got up, we were half-expecting to see her with her little nose pressed up against the patio, looking in…

No such luck!

It’s the first time since we’ve owned the cats, that Bon-Bon had decided to go travelling. Of the two cats, she is the least street-wise of the pair, so that’s an extra concern in itself. I’m going to spend the morning popping a flyer through the front doors of the surrounding houses, hoping that she’s shacked-up somewhere.

This is getting really worrying – Bon-Bon is definitely missing!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Bon-Bon is Missing! appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Ann took the cats over to Patsy’s today for their six-weekly service. Feisty or what!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Cats in appeared first on Steve's Blog.

Judging, Pussy and the Plasmas – no, not a Cowell-esque moment for a feline rock-band with a preference for protons, but a snappy title for today’s activities!

The day began with me dropping Ann at Kettering Station so she could re-visit John Lewis in Leicester and make a judgement on bedroom furniture, carpets and wallpaper (the office-to-bedroom transformation continues at pace!). An hour or so later, I kidnapped Bon-Bon and dropped her into Patsy’s for an emergency de-tangle and comb-out. For some peculiar reason, her fur – and not Biscuit’s – had become knotty and completely tangled just in the short period since our last regular visit. Weird!

It’s only about an hour’s job to ‘service’ Bon-Bon. 10 minutes patiently combing and de-tangling – and 50 minutes to find a continuous supply of plasters for Patsy!

Bon-Bon + Comb + Water + Bath = All Hell Breaking Loose!

Whilst the blood-bath got underway, I dropped into the newish Waitrose up the road simply because it had to essentials for Saturdays – good coffee and lots of plasma TVs on show!

Job done! – and it was then back to the Station to pickup Ann and then continue with the demolition of the Home-Office.

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Judging, Pussy and the Plasmas appeared first on Steve's Blog.

After lunch, I picked up the cats, who were slightly grumpy having, as normal been trimmed, bathed and covered in baby-talc! They weren’t as grumpy as the other Persian I saw there who had to be virtually scalped because of all the knots in her fur! Poor bugger!!!!

We finished the day by visiting The Shuckburgh Armsfor an early evening meal. We both had the Blade of Beef and it was superb!. Melt-in-the-mouth stuff and that went for the Sticky Toffee Pudding too!

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!

StevePalmerTheBlogger.com

The post Hair, Cats and Arms appeared first on Steve's Blog.