Scotty

Posted on Sun 28 January 2007 at 07:26

I would like a big welcome for our newest family member – Scotty!

Take a bow Scotty – oh you did!

Our next door neighbours are moving (and we have only been here a week?!) and they asked if we would like him.  Melissa had already fallen in love with him as he spent more time in our garden than in theirs.  That may be because they have 5 children under 10 years of age and they probably tormented the life out of him.  They also have another 2 cats (one heavily pregnant) and a pit-bull.  I’m surprised they have any cats left with 5 kids to feed and another on the way!  And no, before you ask, we haven’t driven them away already, they have realised the big city (!) isn’t for them and they are heading back to the hills to raise their tribe in peace.  The Mum is Scotland-mad.  As they had named him Kitty, our first thought was to rename him and Scotty just seemed to fit the bill.

It feels like we really belong here now.  For the first time since we took  Snarf to Scotland to stay with Shane, we have a pet…..oh bugger, feel a bit choked mentioning Snarfie.  For those who never met her, she was the most lovely tortoiseshell cat in the world.  She had a lovely nature but could stand up for herself when she needed to.  She had what she thought was the most fetching habit of hanging one front paw as if it was sore when you spoke to her, hoping for the sympathy vote.   She was 17 when she died about a year ago and I still miss her.  She was a once in a lifetime cat but we are looking forward to having Scotty and watching him grow up.

Been quite busy today – we had to go and buy net curtains.  Our bedroom window has a very long window that looks directly on to the street, so I felt rather exposed having a long lie the other day with the curtains open!  And as all you women will agree, you can’t just do the room that needs doing – the whole house has to match!  $180 later…..So I hung nets and Steve put  a shelf up and other manly pursuits involving whirry man-type gadgets.

Did I mention I went swimming with Melissa and her friend?  Well, they haven’t cycled there before on their own so I thought I really ought to make sure it was safe for them to do so.  And what would be the point in going to sit and watch on a hot summer day?  So in I went too.  Not a bad pool at all.  I like the idea of a ramp into the water – everyone uses it so it hopefully wouldn’t make people with disabilities feel awkward.  Another of the little things that impress me about NZ.  And after 1 ½ kilometres, I was glad of the ramp too!

The gully is still great fun – have a look for yourself!  We feel like adventurers going down there.

You too could have a gully like this!