Monday 13 February 2012

The visited




Never mind the details of my sister's most welcome visit; never mind the beautiful weather, the walks, the trips to lovely places, the enormous amount of pretty things she bought for her home in Glasgow or the cosy clothes for herself. Never mind the missed flight home, because of the long, long, slow queues of half-term-getaway families at the 'speedy' check-in desk that she reached too late, her gate having closed. Online check-in only works up to a point, when the baggage handover desk isn't clogged by similarly well-organised travellers expecting efficiency from their airline.


Never mind my pleasure at having her to stay, to see and love my house and its location. Never mind my amusement as how - entirely predictably, her lack of any sense of direction being legendary - she found herself in the hall every time she tried to go upstairs.


No, the highlights for the team were the generosity with which she shared food: the ingredients of a fish pie, her liberality with large prawns, the real possibility that every time the fridge door was opened, something delicious would be offered to the crowd of greedy little faces clustered round her ankles. Scooter was transformed.



It was the prawns (which I dislike, so rarely buy), not the German sausage, or the salami that did it (and no, the sausage wasn't for the fish pie, sillies). Scooter stopped scooting, and became bolder. He moved out from under the sofa. Shopping bag games paled into insignificance. The prawn fairy had arrived.





He watched. He begged. He waited. He was rarely disappointed.

A surfeit of prawns one evening turned him into a whirling dervish, bouncing excitedly round the room, over the furniture - where had our timid little Scooter gone?


And then, the prawn fairy having finally got a flight home, to my astonishment (and consternation) Scooter decided with his new confidence and increased visibility that he too must go for walks with the dogs, Millie, Lottie and me.

And so my reputation as mad cat lady is firmly established. I now lead a furry procession up the street: Flossie and I in front, Floss trying hard not to pull eagerly on her lead, Tosca trailing behind, reluctance written all over her, Lottie trotting daintily, her long hair flapping like an 80s rock band's lead singer, Millie leaping and bouncing alongside, and a little way behind, a round black cat, yowling piteously, scared, but determined to come with us. Scooter the Bold.

A reflective cat-collar is on today's shopping list for this new companion. I'll need to stock up on prawns, I think, so that I can catch hold of him to put it on....


Note: Hamish remains scared of everything, prawns included, although a slice of German sausage will be accepted quietly. He cannot be encouraged to bounce; no furniture-bombing or hill-strolling for that little cat. I haven't found his sociability trigger yet. Perhaps I shouldn't try - a straggle of two dogs and four cats walking up the hill is probably more than my nerves can endure. And Catkin? Ah well.....

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

lovely. all hail the prawn fairy. :)

Anonymous said...

Love this post!

Arthur Ransome said...

Wonderful news . . . I can just imagine the procession and how I love the idea that Lottie is an 80s rock star throwback. What an eventful holiday for your sister.

Anonymous said...

How lovely to see Scooter so happy. Amazing what judicious food bribes can do! And Hamish has turned into a beauty - he really does light up a room, just as you hoped he would.

Jan x

jabblog said...

I'm surprised Scooter didn't stow away in your sister's luggage;-)

Have you tried 'Thrive' dried cat treats? Scooter might like the Shrimp version - then again, he might turn his nose up at them, preferring the fresh variety.

Kathie said...

Oh Rachel, good to have you back. Your visit with your sister sounds wonderful... And the vision of your little parade made me laugh out loud...thanks again for making me smile every time I seenthat you have a new post for us to read.

the veg artist said...

If I had a pipe for you to play, I would send it.

Anonymous said...

There am I, trying to be quiet whilst hubby naps before working the evening shift, .... until I read your blog and imitate a cackling hen (quickly stifled, I hope). It was the image you projected of an uphill procession of you leading the four furry things each in their individual manner. You neglected to say how you carried yourself: head held high, embarrassed head down, fast as you could. I think probably nonchalantly casual, in an "everything here is normal, thank you" kind of way.
Great news re Scooter, though. OllieV

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post! You obviously had a super time with your sister. I can just picture you with the menagerie out for a walk!!

BumbleVee said...

The Prawn Fairy....hahhaha..... very funny that...... how I love coming here of a morning....for a good giggle.....

Noelle the dreamer said...

What a beautiful kitty Scooter is and very brave. Prawns? Well, since they are dire, he is at least discerning! Just loved to imagine the Cat Lady strolling through the village!
I am glad all went well with your sister's visit (minus the airport fracas...traveling is not what it used to be).
Rachel, you brought a big smile to our faces. Thank you for that!(We have been a tad stress here!) Better than morning newspapers anytime!
Hugs to all,

Gwen Buchanan said...

Give a cat a bag and who needs TV!!

Jenny said...

Mad cat ladies rock!

MTVA said...

What a lovely few minutes it's been, reading of Scooter's prawn-induced bravery, the lovely visit and scenery, and especially the crazy cat lady parade! I'm sure you gladden hearts and draw forth smiles all along your parade route, as you do here on your blog!

Jenny Woolf said...

Cute pictures, and sounds like a lovely entertaining visit. The last shot is priceless, absolutely lovely!

MLou said...

Glad you had a great visit with the prawn fairy. We need photos of you and the catourage.

Ginnie said...

Who knew your sister was a prawn fairy? So glad you two - er, you eight - had such a good week.

Lucille said...

You're not the mad cat lady until you have them all in a pram.

rachel said...

Lucille - that is a GREAT suggestion! Watch this space......

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