Sunday, 30th January, 2011.

1) When out walking along the River, one must be vigilant when passing beneath the railway viaduct. The pigeons there spend every waking hour poo-ing and keeping an eye out for passing peregrine falcons. The two occupations are not unconnected.

Birmingham: Saturday, 29th January, 2011.

1) There's always something going on in Birmingham pt 12,936. Today, it's a political gathering by the Communications Unions regarding 'The Cuts'. Group of chinless Tories chanting: 'We must balance the books! Say, we must balance the books!!' fortunately, just out of shot.

2) Socialists stand shoulder to shoulder proud in the knowledge that while chinless Tories may be able to balance the books (or not) they can always use their superior embroidery and needlepoint skills to make killer banners.

3) It's come to this!

What was once Tempest Records is now a cowin' betting emporium. Nowt wrong with that, you might say. But it does beg the question: when they can do either/both on-line, how come folk will trek into town to lay a bet but can't be bothered to to visit a shop to buy music?

Eversham Cats Protection, Sunday 23rd January, 2011.

1) 'Elsie' is still here and in need of lots of love. Luckily, she has an army of volunteers (excuse the pun) queuing up for a turn.

2) Aiyeeeee! Run fer yer lives!! It's the dreaded cyclops-cat and it's got you in its evil eye!

3) I don't care how nice you say my breakfast is. I'm staying in here.

4) Like most of us, Pandora is not getting any younger. She doesn't do herself any favours, does she? But she's much friendlier than she looks. No, really.

Gheluvelt Park, Sunday 16th January, 2011.

It's a 'hot ticket' in some quarters and the queue has already started to form for the traditional performance of Swan Lake due to take place on the park's bandstand later this month (possibly).

Sunday 2nd January, 2011.

1) Banished from the kitchen. It's an outrage! Just because I was taking a natural interest in the cooking of the Sunday Roast. Getting in the way, they said, under their feet. As if. It's beef, if I'm not mistaken. I can smell it. Taste it. Oh the exquisite torture.
2) I was right. It was beef. Lovely it was an' all. Served in a puddle of gravy made with the juices of the meat. And yes, you're right, I could have managed a little bit more. Mmmmmm, I can still taste it now. Still, mustn't grumble. It'll soon be supper time.

Evesham Cats Protection, Boxing Day, 2010.

1) 8:45am. Off to the Cats Protection are you? Don't worry about me. I've got everything I need right here. Don't forget to close the door behind you on the way out.

2) It's been an epic, but we have got here. It took 30 minutes to get the car de-iced and out of the car park. Once off the side roads and onto the main roads it was OK apart from some patchy freezing fog but, despite having the heater on full for the entire drive to Anne and Derek's and then to the CP itself, the inside of the windscreen was still icy. We get to the CP at 10:30am - an hour later than usual - not too bad considering.

3) Pandora is waiting for us. She's learnt a salutary lesson this long hard winter: don't go outside and definitely don't stray far from your heated cushion. She's guarding it with her life.

4) Pandora, let me in!

Naaaaaah!

5) The 'you don't have to be mad to volunteer here, but it helps' club has arrived.

6) Anne and Derek, happy in their work.

7) Elsie (for it is she) is happy to get a shoulder to purr on but not so happy to be taken outside.

8) With all cats fed, medicated, and cleaned-out, it's time to drive back through a Worcester Winter Wonderland for a Boxing Day lunch at Anne and Derek's before driving back home to give Emlyn his second Christmas dinner. We conclude that this winter wonderland-lark is all very well as long as you don't have to drive in it.

Christmas Day, 2010 (Pt II).

1) I say, madam, stop right there. I hope you aren't thinking of putting the remains of the turkey in the fridge when I still have spare capacity in my tummy for some more.
2) Mmmm. A nice tasty morsel of the juicy underside to complement the giblets and neck I had earlier. Just the job.

OK, you can put it away now.