2010 NEWS:
PREVIOUS YEARS CLICK: 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
We had a quiet but enjoyable Christmass and new year
All the animals enjoyed their new toys and chicken from Marian.
Pattie and her toy
Hetty and toy
Meggie has cuddle for her new toy
Nutmeg has her toys on my bed
New year:
Bella inspects the Baileys
Assumpta eyes the alcohol with doubts
Hetty admires the crib at St Chad's
-----
Can now tell you all that the Ofsted at St James’ Primary School was graded ‘good’ and that includes the governors. All very pleased.
December 16th
Lilycroft’s Keystage 1 performed their nativity play --- ‘The sleepy shepherd’ which tells the full story as seen by a very lazy shepherd who usually sleeps all the time, but is then the 1st to see the angel and off he goes to Bethlehem.
November 6th --- Bangor, N Ireland
Ulster Siamese & All Breed Cat Club 31st show
We, Nutmeg Seamus and Hetty travelled over night on the ferry and got to the show venue an hour beforetime.
I had a good time catching up with old friends from all over S & N Ireland (and Oxford in UK) and enjoying the craft fair as well as all the cats
We had a great day
Nutmeg’s 1st attempt at a GCCF Grand was successful --- many thanks to the great George Gow for that and her BOB. She has 2 other 1st as well
Seamus came second to the same glamorous boy we met at the SABCCI, but for 2 1sts in small side classes.
After we met some cavalier friends and Hetty’s pictures can be seen on the Trufee site.
(We did have a GCCF form because of a problem with Seamus’ vaccination cert., as the original had not come back previously and the hurried replacement had the wrong date --- still once home and after Kevan’s holiday all was sorted out in time for the December NBLH&SLH and other show --- then the original appeared in the post as well!!!!!)
The snow came and the December 2 in 1 show in Sheffield which would have seen Seamus in both shows and Nutmeg in one had to be cancelled due to the ‘great snow’ Linda hopes to get a new date for the show so we look forward to that.
Early November --- Mother and daughter posers
a.k.a. Soprano and Assumpta
October 17th – the SABCCI show in Dublin
It was great to go back to Eire. There was a great welcome on the ship and Jimmy cooked me a great dinner on the way out and back on the 22.00 hrs sailings.
Hetty kept an eye on things all day and guarded that passport
Seamus came 2nd in his open, but Nutmeg had a great day --- CC and BOB, Gr CC and BOV BSH adult
(We borrowed the trophy which can’t be brought out of Ireland for a photo!!!
Have been booked for more appeals up to Nov 21st
October 9th
Cavaliers and I were off to Liverpool for 11am appointment at passport office --- we looked around for a while after and collected my new passport at 14.45hrs.
City was full of people as there was a special ‘Beatles Day’ – still now I can safely get to Dublin, etc and use passport at bank until new debit card arrives (But that is another story!!!!)
October 3rd --- Animal Blessing Service at St Chads
Took some photos and one was later in the T&A
Soprano and the Three Cavaliers, plus Seffy’s puppy Alfie had a good time
Soprano was taken up by Paul --- she’s in the white cage carrier
October 4th
needed to prove my identity --- went to usual part of bag and no passport or driving license
October 1st
Well I had started to strip my bed and then something cropped up --- when I got back the bed had been ‘taken over’
Also that day I tripped outside Morrisons and everything fell out of my bag and several people help me retrieve it all
September 24th
A day trip to cherish, even if the photos are a bit dark, as no flash allowed
September 6th
Dezi (Bracken’s son) is 4 today and is busy hiding his new toy on the bed
August 31st
All the others due vaccinations had same today and Kevan stayed for lunch
Dezi got caught between gates in back hall and my hand got in the way as he struggled to get free --- he did need help!
So on Sept 1st I was off to see the GP and antibiotics, etc prescribed
August 23rd 2010 --- another sad day
I don’t really know how to write this; but there is no longer that lovely wide and comforting face to welcome me at the window or call softly from his indoor pen every time I go into the kitchen any more
The photo was taken before we went to HVCC this evening where Kevan helped my wonderful friend and stud boy, Bracken, to leave for that rainbow bridge that leads to the ever happy Elysian Fields.
He had a fairly large abdominal cancerous tumour and possible secondaries, and although he even enjoyed a little chicken meal before we left, there was no fight left, and he slipped quickly and peacefully away
So once more, it’s ‘good night and God bless’ for one of my precious family who was as well known in Eire, N Ireland and Scotland as here
August 10th
--- the glorious 12th and Assumpta is 8 years old today
August 8th Bingley Show Day
Pat and Pauline brought cats down from Spennymore for the first time
A good show and it was good to see Pat H and the family over from Hebden Bridge with Asti and Sarah’s Molly --- 2 tricolours. Hope Asti keeps his figure!!!!
Assumpta curled up in the bed in her exhibition pen and snoozed most of the day away
Nutmeg won her one and the BSH CH of CH, so had some good winnings
Little Seamus gained his 1st BOB and then curled up among his rosettes and medal having cried all the short distance from show to home!!!!!
August 7th
The 3 Cavaliers came across to the cat show site at Bingley --- Chris had everything well in hand
July 29th
In readiness for Bingley Assumpta, Nutmeg and Seamus had their vaccinations today --- the others will be done later when Kevan come to luncheon
In the week up to July 23rd there were various events at Lilycroft
We said farewell to 3 retiring teachers: Steph (1st at Lilycroft in 1972) Ann (24 years at the school) and Alan (10 years at his only primary school) we also said farewell to our IT whiz kid, Richard who will be coming to help sort my computer problems next week.
Both Keystage groups had special celebrations and parties for parents and children who had 100% attendance --- photo is Keystage 2
Danish and Sammayyah gained my Chair of Governors prize --- had to give 2 this year as Danish has worked so hard and had great content in his piece while Sammayyah’s work was as good and VERY neat
July 12th
Ennodius is still with us and is 3 today
He loves watching TV and the little play in the back garden when evenings are dry and I can sit out with them for a little while Cavaliers and cats gamble around
Lilycroft’s summer Fayre went well and like this clever young man I too hooked a duck --- he had a good number and fun prize while I had a ‘lolly’
July 10th
Seamus is 2 today and like Nutmeg had greetings from his breeder Heather and Alan
July 1st
Nutmeg is 5 today and received an email greeting from her breeder, John Martin O’Sullivan
She’s still looking good and thanks to Martin for letting me have this lovely Limerick born queen
In between the many school appeals and other school linked meetings and events we have quite a few July birthdays among the menagerie at 93
June 25th
Roma is 11 today and her dam, Meggie watches proceedings
June 17th
Took car for service and MOT and expected it to be plain sailing after work on her recently. Went to Derrick and Dorothy’s and was surprised to get a call that work needed on car, and part ordered but may not be there until Monday. I am recalling a royal description some year’s ago of an ‘annus horriblus’
June 15th
I made that call to SVCC during the morning coffee break at Appeals and this evening at 18.35 Kevan, the nurse and I helped my little red boy out of his pain. It was good to be able to telephone George (Gow) and have a long chat about the little lad, and other things, of course.
(There will be a special page on site for him --- Being tearful I dropped my camera and so only had by mobile phone for the last pictures snuggled on his comfy bedding on my bed – Soprano came to see him. Hetty knew and stayed home with the others so I had that last precious hour or so with my Red Prince, Pr. Gowlaren Iamgarfield to those who knew him at shows. Needless to say I need to learn how to transfer the mobile pictures to the computer)
After I came home it seemed all the animals appeared to miss Wee Georgie.
June 14th
Georgie seem a tiny bit more comfortable, but I fear ------------ I talked it over with Kathy and Janet at SVCC as it is quite a long time to the 2 week check up on Wednesday evening.
Nibbles and cake for me at Readers’ Board rounded off the day
June 13th Meggie’s little celebration. She is watching Frediano who is intrigued by the candles in the 2nd photo
June 12th was a good Reader day, but very few came, even though we had 10 signed up
June 10th
Georgie is less well and drinking but not eating. He has a little Lactol by syringe from me a few times a day.
June 9th
Meggie is a teenager today --- we will celebrate at the weekend.
Georgie seems a little less keen to eat, and continues to sleep a lot.
June 7th
Back to Appeals
Georgie appears to be responding to the capsules and he is very good taking them. He has sat in the sunshine in the pen and watched the butterflies, etc.
June 2nd
Georgie’s condition and care continues and today we went along to get his medication. Had to sign for it as it is not yet recognised for cat treatment, but worth a try if he is to have a chance of recovering. Any further treatment can not be considered while his alimentary tract is so inflamed, etc.
My two little red boys sometimes eat near each other which is comforting
May 30th
Bracken is 12 years old today
May 25th
Frediano
Donna investigates the puppy toys
Seamus and Gabby
May 25th
Met Margaret Heath at Bolton Abbey to plan site use for Reader Day on June 12th. It was good to have coffee with Father George.
Then it was back to Lilycroft for year 2’s ‘ugly bug ball’ to celebrate the end of their SATs. The costumes were great --- and the photo is of the winners among the children. Great to see the teachers, including HT, Deputy and KS1 Assistant head in their ‘bug’ costumes.
May 21st
Seamus blocks the TV , Frediano and Ennodius find the feline Easter egg and the fun began!
Georgie
May 16th
Really nice young couple have been in touch and came to see Ennodius. Sadly he is much too big a lad to go with their current cat.
Frediano likes being out in the house and has tested the garden for a little while. He is very interested in activities in the kitchen
May 15th
It was a sad start to the day, with Finnian having a trip to see Gordon at SVCC and leaving us for the Elysian Fields.
Went on to a life-long Hindu friends marriage early afternoon and then spent the evening at the Clayton Cons club with Elaine and other friends
May 11th
Sissie (Soprano) is 9 today; it does not seem possible it was so long ago that I drove to Kent to bring her home
Pattie’s results are okay so far --- just the pathology to come of a possible cyst or similar hopefully minor area of changed tissue. It seems she may need antibiotics from time to time for the URTI problem
May 10th
The marathon of School Appeals is underway --- quite a few days (weeks) full now and from mid-June
May 6th
Did my two polling station sessions of telling and then evening at the Clayton Cons club --- now we await the results.
Georgie remains very poorly, but is gaining a little weight with the Applaws food. He seems to enjoy that and his ‘yogurt.’
Finnian is very quiet and has little appetite; but still likes to watch the world from the window
May 1st 2010
After a busy week sorting the car and various meetings, interviews, at school, Pattie having x-rays and investigations on Wednesday, and including an excellent Reader CMER evening with Fr Benedict’s talk about the Egyptian Coptic Church; Today was another London trip for the ‘Reader’ magazine editorial group. My first meeting.
April 25th
I had the day in London with Chris and Despina for the CRC AGM, etc. Shall be back to London next Saturday as well, as am now in the Editorial Committee for the Reader magazine.
We were at St Peter’s Eaton Square --- the first time I’ve been since their horrific fire in the 1980s --- it is truly glorious and recommend anyone going to London with free time to visit the church, (like the idea of the Vicar being housed on the roof!!!)
We found a truly irresistible Italian coffee and ice cream café --- just look at the design on the top of my Cappuccino.
April 16th
Kath and I went and chose a great tub and plants, etc and Ash is now beneath a beautiful shrub in the front garden.
April 7th
Meggie and Pattie had their consultations with Kevan. He will see Meggie in a month, but it sure there is nothing sinister and lumps I could feel are just relatively normal fatty changes for an older cat
Meggie
Pattie is okay, but is booked in for her URTI x-rays on the 28th
April 5th
We celebrated Donna’s birthday today
Easter – Pattie is not very impressed with the Feline Egg
April 4th (should have been 2nd)
Pattie is 12 today
April 2010
For the few days after the investigations Georgie almost seemed worse and needed bathing/washing several times throughout a day, so after 3 days Kevan prescribed some Kaobotic and slowly it has helped. The RD food was recommend but he can’t pick it up, so I have investigated and he is now having Applaws. We went along and saw Larissa and she recommended the water (cooled) from boiling rice --- at first he only took it by syringe and eventually got the idea.
March 29th
Georgie's previous tests have not uncovered any clear reasons for his ongoing illness and he remains quite poorly and so he and Gabby had an appointment with Kevan today. Georgie stayed in for a mountain of investigations. I collected him this evening, and Sarah showed me the x-rays which are worrying. One test has gone off to the USA (hope BA not the airline!) and so it could be a little while before we know the full results. We also talked about the odd way he eats and problems with food. He still loves his Greek yogurt!
March 25th 2010 – The Annunciation --- Farewell to Pr Cadifee Ashbrown
Last night Ash’s wound seamed a tiny bit enlarged, but once bathed with his lotion for him, he settled to sleep. (Three of his paws appeared fully healed)
In a matter of less than about 3 hours this morning the wound enlarged and became very deep and he could not leave it alone
We were off to Shearbridge --- and sadly, after nearly 7 months treatment and all the TLC I could manage, it was for the last time. The wonderful lady Vet, Larissa, nurse Kathy and I nursed him during that last injection as he purred knowing he was safe in the hands of his special clinic.
Thank you to all at SVCC and HVCC who have cared so much for him these past 7 months when he has surgery, biopsies, etc.
So my lovely boy, who was born on Ash Wednesday 2001, left us on the Feast of the Annunciation 2010
The kitchen is empty with no special little feline friend watching my every action, and I don’t need to be his nurse any more --- the Cavaliers are bewildered and Meggie devastated that her boy has gone
happily in the meadows of animal
heaven with no sore paws or illness to stop you any
more. We will never forget you and I’ll
love you for ever
March 20th
Frediano and Finnian are 2 today.
(Hopefully they will get new homes soon)
March 5th
In the end both Kath and I read at the Women’s World Day of Prayer service at Trinity
Feb 28th
Ash is 9 today and the affected area is much smaller about the size of an old ½ crown piece and I think the back feet are healed.
He had a happy day but was keen to get back to the comfort of his pen after a little time in the kitchen.
Feb 26th --- bedroom takeover!!!
Feb 24th
Car back at last.
Feb 21st --- back came the snow!!!!
Nutmeg looks out of the bedroom window before the puppies raced around outside
Feb. 18th
Clayton Cons AGM this evening --- managed to get there and back in driving snow!
Feb 11th and at Lilycroft for an outstanding Naat competition 2010
Ramah was the other judge so we had 3 religions judging the Muslim Naat competition which was truly excellent
For the first time we had joint winners --- and not only that but both were boys!!!
Seamus decided to block the TV!
Ash’s treatment and medication continues --- he is such a good little patient!
Feb 2nd
Soprano and Assumpta away from the playful puppies
Ash continues his medication, skin car, etc --- he seems more comfortable recently
Jan 29th
--- we can all see Soprano ‘up the tree!’
Jan 28th
Car to Car Clinic for FTS repairs and courtesy car is the one advertised as ‘not a Golf’, and believe you me it is NOT anywhere near as good a drive as the Golf --- after all one has had several before the Suzuki
Jan 26th
Phanos asks Seamus to play with him
Asterios and Seamus
a feline/canine exchange of gossip perhaps
Jan 23rd
Went to pantomime with Lilycroft school – a good if exhausting evening, but well worth it to see the children’s faces.
Jan 17th
Preached at St Peter’s Allerton --- good to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones
Jan 16th
Decided to get out as snow melting and go to coffee morning --- turned into Crediton and car reversed into me from Crediton Court – and DROVE OFF --- as I got the number and bits of his car off the road, then spent some time at the Nelson Street police station where the police officer was outstanding
Pattie takes over Hetty’s seat!
Jan 12th
Ennodius takes over Gaudentia’s spot blocking the TV
Jan 11th
Well we spent over a week housebound due to the snow and road being impassable
Tuesday 11th
Took taxi 55 minutes to get me almost home from the clinic which in less than a mile away --- buses stopped using Bell Dean because of ice --- and then stopped altogether by Jan 13th.
Ash’s treatment continues and he improves slowly
Jan 10th
Derrick ‘phoned with the really upsetting news that Erfyl has died --- she had lost a bit of weight, and never called, but had been really perky the previous day
So sad as she had such a good home there with Lena (Ascelina) and was loved by them all.
Jan 8th
Gaudentia has a last snuggle with Mum (nutmeg) before going to her new home with Pat in Hebden Bridge
Jan 7th
Went to make my bed and there had been a take-over
Ash’s wound seems to be healing quite well --- he is very good having it swabbed twice a day, but not so keen to have his feet seen to
January 2010
Best place is on Mum’s bed with this cold weather
The big freeze continues