Worcester Cathedral Tower: Monday 30th August, 2010.

1) The first 109 steps have been negotiated and we are now above the Vault which was constructed in 1376 (it says here).

2) I thought the first 109 steps were bad. The second 126 steps, within the tower itself, were even steeper and narrower. Luckily there's a one-way system so one can stop and catch one's breath. This is the view west over the cricket ground where Worcestershire are in the process of thrashing Hampshire in a 40-over match.

3) The view south along the Severn to the new footbridge we walked over the other weekend. See? We told you it wasn't 'just outside' the city centre.

4) Looking south-east over the Commandery with Fort Royal Park beyond.

5) The view north along the River, past the racecourse, and our walk home. No wonder we're so fit (cough, pant).

6) Vicky (look closely). Right, it's time to go back down. Can't be as bad as getting up here can it?

Saturday 28th August, 2010.

We've just received an official press statement from Team Emlyn. The gist of which is as follows: 'whilst acknowledging that Emlyn might have gained the odd pound or two since moving in with his new team members three weeks ago this is in no way due to the extra 'tit-bits' he may or may not have received at meal times. In any case, as any fule wot subscribes to Heat can confirm, the camera always adds a few pounds.'

Seems reasonable to us.

Worcester, Sunday 22nd August, 2010.

1) After yesterday's Napton Canal Boat Rally washout it's good to get a reasonable summer's day to take a walk along the River to the brand new footbridge just south of the Diglis Locks. We say 'just south' advisedly 'cos it's at least a half-mile further on. So we've walked about three and a half miles just to get here (without water) and it's very humid. We are dehydrated and Howard, in particular, needs a rest on a handy handrail. It's cost £1m to build this bridge which connects a new housing development to.......erm......where? Makes a nice circular walk tho'. Just needs a tea room (or three).
2) See? The Cathedral is miles away to the north. Just south of the city centre indeed. Note how Vicky has positioned the camera to ensure that the developer's portacabins are cunningly blotted out. Why are they building yet more apartments for which younguns can't get mortgages?

3) Genning-up on all the particulars of the new bridge and its environs. No sign of a symbol for a tea room.

4) Thank goodness there was a tea room open in town. Feeling much better now. Walked about five miles so far. Not quite so humid now. We've only got one more mile to go before we get home so we are pleased to be able to stop and watch the start of another epic dragon boat race. Get yer backs into it we don't cry.

5) We've been out for five hours and we are pleased to get home for a rest. Emlyn hasn't noticed we've been gone. He's too busy researching another chapter for his proposed new book: 'Sleeping Positions - a feline guide'. This particular one he calls 'The Forward Row'. Looks very comfy to us.

Emlyn settles in.

1) There's nothing better than forty winks just after lunch.

2) Team Emlyn bonding session. NB Only one of the team here is comfy. It's not David and it's definitely not Vicky.

Gheluvelt Park, Worcester, Sunday 15th August, 2010.

1) Emlyn has settled in well after a week living here with us. This is just one of his several resting places. He spends all day purring. The only time he stops is when he falls asleep. We took him to the vets on Friday and he got a clean bill of health. He weighs 5.5 kilos and is 0.5 kilos overweight (he does hang around his food bowl a lot).

2) This is the new Memorial (officially opened yesterday) to the fallen soldiers who perished at the WWI Battle of Gheluvelt after which the park is named.




3) Vicky studies the memorial's wording. The whole thing is sculpted from iron so should weather-in nicely.

Worcester CAMRA Beer, Cider and Perry Festival, Friday 13th August, 2010.

1) Obscured By Cloud(y real ale). Wolfie Ray (in a Baggy-ish top) and Baggy Ray (in a Wolves-ish top) choose drops of the Olde Gold and Black Stuff to while away the afternoon. Is there any other sort?


2) 4-1 to the Wanderers. 4-1 to the Wanderers. Wolfie John, Wolfie Dave, Wolfie Steve, and Wolfie Ray gang up on Baggy Ray and try to convince him that it's an omen for the forthcoming season. When Wolves fans are confident we all know it will only end in tears.

Birmingham, Thursday, August 12th, 2010.

1) Birmingham honours its rawk Gods PtI.

2) Birmingham honours its rawk Gods PtII. David winding Vicky up by suggesting it's high time they honoured the entire line up of ELO, happily, just out of shot.

3) This is one of three days of the year (the other two being Vicky's birthday and Christmas Day) when the Food Police have to take compulsory leave by Law. So we can luxuriate in gazing at the Specials Board for hours without fear of imminent arrest.

4) Vicky, pray tell, is my Lamb Shank, mash, gravy and veggos of the day imminent? I certainly hope so.

5) David is always happy to assist the famous (and not so famous) residents of Birmingham publicise the building of the City's new Library.

Evesham Dogs Trust, Wednesday, 11th August, 2010.

1) Firstly we called in at the Cats Protection Office to register Huw and confirm his adoption. It would have been straight forward except we have decided that Emlyn is a better name for him. So, from now on, he will be Emlyn aka Huw. Any road up, this is Tango. Yet another Irish stray for the Dogs Trust to re-home. It rather begs the question: do all the English strays end up in Ireland? Dunno. He is a lovely boy but suffers, evidently, with the squits. Stressed, probably. So we kept our distance but, thankfully, nothing of a 'squitsy' nature was expelled from his body during our time in his company.

2) This is Jeff. A very sweet natured and well-behaved puppy who engaged us with his winning playfulness. Then he did a seven foot poo! Just like that. Without warning. David is surprised he can still smile after having to clear that lot up. Nice (I'm eating a peanut butter sammidge as I type).

The Malvern Hills, Tuesday 10th August, 2010.

1) What better way to spend a day, when you're suffering some angst regarding whether adopting Huw is the right thing, than in the company of fellow cat lovers. Here Bob, Sue and Vicky enjoy the view from The Kettle Sings whilst discussing whether 'Huw' is a good name for Huw or not. Not that we've become obsessed with the matter or anything.

2) On a clear day you can see all the way to the Oirish Sea (possibly). But today isn't clear so we can only see all the way to the Black Mountain which we can't see 'cos it's covered in a rain cloud slowly moving this way. Best sit still for a bit and order another pot of tea then.

3) The rain passes and we've walked all the way to the top of the Malverns (well, this bit of it). It's a lovely view alright. Should come here more often is the conclusion.

4) Back home now and with four cat lovers in the house Huw (for it is he) has more than enough confidence to make his own way to the living room, if not all the way in.

5) A few minutes later and we think we can safely say that Huw is settling in.

Settling in (sort of): Monday, 9th August, 2010.

1) What's this ghastly place I've been brought to now? Can't settle. Can't find a place to rest. And they still don't know what they want to call me. As if Dougal's any better than Doodle!

2) Ah, a nice quiet corner and a big belly to rest me bonce on. Not bad. Could be better.

3) Aha! That's the ticket. Soft cushions made even softer by one of Dunelm's finest. I might like it here. Not sure if I'm gonna like being called Huw tho', just 'cos I'm from Wales.

Evesham Cats Protection, Sunday 8th August, 2010.

1) I don't believe it! The most handsome and friendly cat in the whole wide world is still here. Some people say he's 'squiffy'. Nobody wants him. The CP call him Doodle but we're not so sure. He's getting under our skin and we decide we would call him Dougal if he was ours. It rhymes and there's a nice touch of alliteration, see? No need to confuse the fella too much.

2) We call this one 'John Wyndam' on account of him having six toes on his front paws. If JW didn't write about such things, he should have done.

3) What on earth has gone on in here overnight? It's chaos. Mother is saying nowt but I think we all know it was the kittens.

4) There's only one thing for it. Somebody daft will have to get in there and muck 'em out. Kittens having a giggle, for once, in shot.

5) Oh, thank goodness, thinks Dougal, time to get some zeds. Of course, it would be a complete nightmare if a debate between these folk about whether they should rehome me were to break out whilst I'm asleep and I was to wake up somewhere else completely.

6) Oh bugger, how did that happen?!

Oxford, Saturday 7th August, 2010.

1) What manner of ghastly place have we come to today. Bicycles all over the place. Wouldn't be surprised if it's full of ruddy students and tourists from much richer countries. Not to mention day-trippers like us. They'll all be wandering into each other's photos as well, you'll see.

2) It's no good moaning. If you've come to the centre of Oxford on a busy Saturday to have yer wedding photos taken yer bound to become the centre of attention. You wouldn't catch us taking a photo (oh no).

3) What did we say about folk wandering into photos?

4) Quick Vic. Take the photo before someone wanders in between us.

5) Ah, yer subtle bit of modern architecture amongst the classic olde stuff. Quite tasteful, really.

6) A rare moment when nobody is between us and the view in question.

7) Worcester College. So we simply have to take a photo. It's welcoming Canada today. Not sure why exactly.

8) It's starting to rain now so Howard takes shelter in a handy college gateway. Security Man telling him to stay behind the barrier, thankfully, just out of shot. It's nearly six o'clock and time to make our way back to the Park and Ride. Nice city, Oxford. Quite like it (which is high praise).

Thursday 5th August, 2010.

1) Er, excuse me. Have you got permission to roost on our window ledge?


2) Peek-a-boo!

3) Please leave me alone, I've just flown into your window and I've got a bit of a headache. Oh, OK. Take yer time (alternatively, it may simply be an 'immature'. We're not experts!).