Wiltshire Sunset

Tigsy

A new cat has joined us in the last week.  She doesn't belong to us, but she seems intent on staying! 

I was gardening last Sunday, a week ago, and a very rotund and friendly tabby cat was lurking in the garden, but it became clear she really wanted attention and to make friends.  Well I am always ready with a stroke and a pat to any animal, so we said hello to each other, had lots of "chats" and mutual friendly rubs, and I continued with my gardening with my little friend.  This lasted well into the evening and by dusk I settled down on the hammock at wine o'clock and something to read and tabby cat joined me on my lap!

Of course I said goodbye to her when it was time for me to go, but she did not seem to want to go, as cats usually do, back to their homes.  I worried about her in the night and came down at 4.30 am to found her miaowing a the back door.  By 6 am she was still there.  Over the next few days she just would not leave the back door or garden and made it obvious she wanted to come in or stay.  We put posters up and some children phoned to say that it was the cat of their friends.  The cat went back but by the next morning the cat, who we now know is called Tigsy, was back! Well, what could we do ...

Here she is:

T-Bone

This is T-Bone, T-Bone's parrot!! How can I sum him up? ..... well he's a beautiful green cheeked conure, a bit scruffy, a mischief-maker, an inquisitive little imp, messy eater, a bit of a comedian and the most adorable cuddly little creature.  I've only known him about a month, but I have already fallen completely in love with him.  When he gained a girlfriend this weekend it was so sweet to watch them greet each other and completely take to each other.  What a lovely thing .. gave me a lump in my throat!

T-Bone's girl - seeing as they seem to have similar personalities to T-Bone and myself, I think she should be called Troll or Bear hehe! Anyway, that's down to Ollie to decide tomorrow :-)

Sophie and Tilly

Sophie had a hamster for her birthday in January and what a little cutie she is!  She is called Matilda or Tilly for short and she is absolutely adorable!  She is the friendliest little thing, so soft and gentle and has never ever bitten.  We all love her loads and I think she is a happy little hamster.  We bought her a hamster play pen last week and this is great and it enables us all to get close to her and handle her and more importantly allow her the freedom to run around, although we do have to watch the cats.  Minnie, especially, looks as though she would enjoy a hamster snack!

Here is Tilly out, for a playpen session with her mummy Sophie:

It's Spring at last!

I love Springtime!!! It is such a joyful time of the year and I never ever grow tired of it.  I especially like the start of the longer evenings, the shifting light patterns, the first hues of green leaves unfurling, primroses, tulips and other spring flowers, catkins and gorse flowers, fresh acer leaves, green grass and spring sunshine.  Ooo I just love it! I feel like an animal that has been hibernating over the winter and now the sunshine is warming my face and I want to explore. 

I have been out busy taking photos that mean springtime to me; here are a few:

The child in me still loves to get a dandelion clock and watch while I blow the seeds into the air

                                                       The flowering cherry in my front garden:

Camelia flower, also in my front garden:

Cobwebs on fresh new shoots:

Catkins of contorted hazel:

Hellebore

Bluebells

Tulips

Tulips

from my darling T-Bone

More photos from jazz club

These photos are from Back To Basie, at the Concorde Club, which T-Bone accompanied me to last week.  Another great evening of jazz: