Tag: cat

August 31st – Couldn’t stay in on August Bank Holiday Monday, even though it was grey and wet. My irritation was compounded by setting out without some important supplies, so called in to the shops at Stonnall. 

This ginger puss has been lurking around the shops here for a few weeks. I noticed a shopkeeper feeding it, and it also seems fond of sitting outside the Indian restaurant and the chip shop. It looks too clean and in too good a condition to be stray, so I suspect it’s a local opportunist.

Whatever the domestic status, it’s a lovely, friendly, affectionate puss who welcomes all passing, and on this wet day seemed happy to hold court under the shelter of the shop canopies.

August 18th – I was on the lookout for kingfishers – I’d seen a couple flying down the canal this week, and one tantalisingly perched, who scarpered quickly when my camera beeped as it switched on. Today though, in Pleck, I was having no luck.

Then I spotted why.

A patch of white was twitching and moving in the long grass on the far side of the canal – and on closer inspection turned out to be a tabby and white puss with a remarkable tail engaged in stalking something.

I don’t know what was holding the cat in such rapt attention, but it didn’t even turn to look at me when called. 

My search for a good kingfisher photo opportunity continues…

August 5th – Spinning home through Shelfield I spotted this guy staring intently at something in the hedge. I’ve no idea what small, squeaky thing he spotted, but it kept him transfixed for a while.

Then he heard me, and gave me one of those evil, fixed stares that all the best cats master at an early age.

‘Who dares disturb my activities?’

I love cats.

July 25th – There was something of the night about the long-haired but diminutive cat on the far side of the canal near Clayhanger Bridge.

Those piercing eyes and quick wits; there was a hunt on and I’d disturbed it. But what an absolutely beautiful puss.

Someone loves that wee black cat and brushes it loads to keep it so beautiful.

July 11th – A bad day. Technical problems, IBS playing up and nothing going well, I finally made it out late in the afternoon and headed to Aldridge to get some shopping in. On the way, I spotted this superior looking fellow glaring at me from the opposite bank.

I often wonder what cats think must be going on over the water, in the place they can’t reach…

June 24th – I don’t know who he is, but this proud cat was loafing by the terrace of houses just at the eastern end of Kings Hill Park in Darlaston. The fact that he’s tailless doesn’t seem to be bothering him much. 

A lovely lad. his coat shone – someone loves this puss very much!

June 15th – The warmer days seem to be here at last, and out on the streets come the cats. These fair-weather flaneurs of the urban streets roll, stroll, preen and posture, but mainly just laze around languidly waiting for something interesting.

I saw this chap in the backstreets of Walsall. There’s an admirable air of relaxation and smugness there. Impressive.

May 29th – A quick run through Walsall Wood on the cut on a wet morning rewarded me with all kinds of life in the dripping wet green. The swan family from the Watermead were near Clayhanger Bridge and had obviously gone past their nap-time. Shame about the litter, sadly left where people were fishing the day before.

If people bring stuff with them, is it really so hard to take it back home?

The Canada Geese goslings are also growing well, and were closer to The Black Cock bridge – but in-between, a stripy fellow was being nonchalant and pretending he’d not seen me.

Life teams this time of year, rain or shine.

May 27th – He was there again, the cat I notice a lot in the waterside gardens at the back of Barrow Close. Black and white, not very old, he spends hours watching the water.

I wonder what he sees, and how he regards the far side of the water he’ll only ever reach when the canal freezes in winter? It must be like a forbidden paradise to him.

He’s a lovely lad.