The Strange Ecology of the Cats’ Water Bowls (by sarah)

At the weekend I was cat sitting and I went to empty the cats' bowl in the Mill to discover that it had what I had frist thought were drowned ants in it. Instead they were rather disturbing little tagpole type creatures swimming about in it - they were about 2.5 mm long with forked tails and littke spikey hair type structures coming off of them - there was a ring of slightly bigger orange spikes between the head and the tail compared with the dark grey of the rest of them this stood out quiet alot!

What where they? Are they in the Mills water supply? Had the water not been changed often enough and they were insect lavea that had been laid in there? If so what type of insect? They were quiet disturbing really.

I then went over to the Bakery only to discover that our cats' water had its own (but different) little ecology going on! It appeared to have little grey 'shrimps' living in it - the biggest being about 6 mm and hence very visable. their tails had three long hair type structures coming out of them - they really really looked like shrimps - but where on earth did they come from? Are their shrimps in our water supply or have they come from somewhere else? It is a mystery!

Anyone got any idea?

Of Easter Eggs and New Hats (by sarah)

Jean was spoilt over Easter by a second Easter egg hunt this time with Barbaras friends grandson joining in the fun though he did decide that Jean could have all the eggs he found as the Easter Bunny had left him so many at home and he wasnt sure he'd be able to eat them all!

Him and Jean had a great time playing with the soft play kit and the scout and cub sports equipment and of course Jeans slide - though there was also an unfortunate incident with Als metal watering can and the cattle grid and a very forlorn and guilty looking child and a large dent - we only heard the crash so still not entirely sure what happened!

Jean likes Minty the dog who was also there at the egg hunt though she does seem to think smeel dogs are sort of strange cats!

Poor Betsy (by sarah)

Betsy who is Barabaras Black cat (often mistaken for Minni) had to have lots of teeth taken out about a fortnight ago and has not been very happy since - she turned up on the door step and appeared to want food so I gave her some cat treats. Poor thing seemed all eger and then just started pawing at her mouth instead of eating them up - Barabara says this is what she does with food now 🙁

On top of that the kittens keep sneeking into the Mill and eating all her specially prepared food! And then the little beasties have been beating her up as well - as its obvious she's unwell and there fore is losing her dominant position in the strange and complex cat hieracy.

Things that go Bump in the Night (by sarah)

There was a huge racket - cats sounding like they were doing some serious damage to each other so bravely armed with a Mag Lite I went out (after switching on the out door light and noticing Barabara had come out of the Mill).

Tim chased a sorry looking Betsy passed my door with Barabara shouting at him, I shouted at him and they belted passed me. They jumped over the stream.

Then to the realisation - Barabara thought that Tim was beating up Minni - Minni however was sitting on our setee, I thought it was Betsy who was sitting in the Mill - no it was a third Black cat - dadadadum!

On top of that the padlock off the stable mysterously disappeared a few days ago and today the heater fell off of Barabaras wall hav ing her question weather there is a poltergiest about - but then there were two really low planes zooming over us today as in enough to make things rattle - I didnt think they were allowed that low :/

But I have to say that the padlock is worrying especially as I swear the other night that someone was tapping on the window but when I finially got up the curage all there was was H and He sitting on the window sill and wormery looking over towards the padock.

In fact this had me so shock that today when I kept hearing someone knocking and getting to the door and finding no one there I started to really panic - but it had just been Barabara being to impatient and going off and gardening up on the lawn bit thinking she would see me if I came to the door!

Of course this all happens on evernings and days when Al isn't here :/ Sigh.

Jean doesn't help by standing up and pointing to the window going 'eye, eye!'

Oh and I apparently saw May bugs tonight - they are large and browny orange and the kittens keep pouncing them. I mean large.

Hydrogens new hobbi (by sarah)

Sorry I couldn't resist this I just had to take a photo!