The King of the Cats Adventure

Twas some night after Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Not surprising considering Felix, the huge lion like house cat was roaming and patrolling the home with the greatest of ease.

I was at my dad's house for Christmas in Belfast and was staying there over the festive period. Felix who I mentioned before and Midnight our other silent green eyed black cat have been living with our family for years now. As my dad grumbled the other day, "they are better fed than us!!"

These two cool dudes are brothers and come and go as they please without giving you a second thought. Unless it comes to feeding time that is. So imagine my surprise when I was awoken just as dawn was breaking over a frosty morning by none other than Felix staring at me while I slept.

"Ah, you are up. About time too." Felix spoke with a distinct sound of Jeremy Irons. "I have much respect for your friend of wee doggie and he has an adventure lined up for you.It is to find the Castle of the Cats which can only be seen once every nine years to celebrate the nine lives cats have inherited and you are here at the right time. I am not going with you however as I have choir practice, so Midnight well lead the way. He is at the window down stairs waiting for you."

"Here is a list of what you need to do to help you on your way. Stick by it and it will not fail you."

"Now, go away you are disturbing my yoga moves."


I got ready, hopped downstairs, and opened the curtains to see midnight waiting at the windowsill.

"Hello there!" Midnight said with sprinkling of Stephen Fry.
"Oh do come on, do you want to go on an adventure or don't you? Now, do come along now, we are chasing the sun!"

As we silently creeped through streets and curved around alleys, Midnight showed me where to go and told me the story of The King O the Cats.in exchange for a scratch now and again
Soon we came to a frozen lake.
There were the ducks moon walkingand the swans ice skating.

"I will leave you from here, this present company and I do not get along, so to speak. They will take good care of you at least!Keep to the list! Cheery pip!" Midnight silently slicked away.

I decided to go over and ask the swans if they knew where I could find the giant who was laying down.

When I asked them, the swans began ruffling their feathers and muttering amongst themselves.
"Who is she?"
"I don't think much of her hair do!"
"What does she want to know about the giant for?"
"Is that cat Midnight with her?" A pigeon soared into the air and shouted "Oh, stop your gibberish women! Right there love! Its right in front of you! Its the face on the mountain!"
And there is was.
"Can you show me how to walk through the oceans?" I asked.

"Are you going to the Castle of the Cats? Oh, a lovely spot up there. I don't go there myself, considering history and all, but I'll take you near enough! Follow me!" Cried the pigeon swooping and diving in the air. "Wear a swimming cap ha ha!"


The oceans were magic avenues you had to walk through to get to the castle!

"Did you think we had to cross the actual oceans? We would have been at that for a while! Besides,like a cat would go anywhere near water!"

laughed the pigeon from above. Soon, we came to a gate lodge.

"Off you go to the top of the mountain!" said the pigeon, " and be safe!"

"Wait!"I cried."What about the dragon's lair?"

" Oh him!" "He won't be in his lair at the moment, I heard him saying something about going to a cat's choir today to celebrate the nine lives!He always goes to try and find out how to get the other eight lives! He never does! You should be safe enough! Oh, he is a grumpy old dragon though!"

The pigeon flew up into the air and was gone.
So I began the trek up the mountain, with steps made by the tree roots

when suddenly, it began to get cold and the birds stopped singing, the rivers stopped running and all was still. Jack Frost was near. Which also means so was I!As I slipped and slided upwards, the dragons lair was in sight.
As I climbed up to the cave I turned around to see the most glorious view!

I went through the cave with amethyst and rubies glowing the way on the ground and walls, out to the other end and there it was.


The Castle of the Cats!

Fresh snow lay down on the ground and I heard it crunch as I walked around opened mouthed and in awe.




At the top of the steps was this sign.

and I walked into the grounds.


Cats represented everywhere, even on the ground!
Which lead me to the castle entrance where there was a face statue.

"I am sorry, but you can not stay long" it whispered, "it is the annual cat's choir today and it is feline only."

"What about the dragon? I heard he was going and he isn't feline." I asked.
"Would you argue with dragon?" It questioned back. "It flies over the castle and listens. That's why you can not go back the way you came. Do come in and warm your hands by the fire before you go though."

I gladly went in as it was very cold and I didn't like the thought of the dragon flying around the mountain as I didn't know how I was going to get back to my dad's house. I went to the grand fire place but it was unlit. I stared at it for a while until................it came alive and began to glow. I was entranced by the light dancing...

I was suddenly transported to outside my dad's house in the middle of the street, but safe and sound. As I looked at the mountain view before I went inside,I turned my head to the side and thought " Gosh, it really is a giant!"
Cheerio for now!

Let it slush, let it slush, let it slush.

Last night in our winter woollies and mugs of hot chocolate (Note: No marshmallows for me, someone once put them in my hot chocolate and I didn't realise. I thought the milk had curled and spat it out all over the place. Starbucks tell me they will remove my ban some time in the spring when hot chocolate goes out of season.) Big fella and I spent the frosty night stargazing from the living room window.



Big fella looking for UFOs
and myself gazing at the moon and the stars.


but then, a strange light came over the sky, and a dark blanket of cotton wool cloud threatened the sky and our view. Big fella and I turned to each other and whispered "Snow's coming!"
We squealed and jumped up and down and then quickly composing ourselves realising their was going to be some confrontation. We both clicked there was no more milk for hot chocolate that every body needs while watching first snow and I sure as hell wasn't going outside.

The next morning I woke up with a start shouting "No marshmallows!!" and squinting my eyes to adjust to my setting. We were lying on our living room floor with hot chocolate all over our faces. I tried to remember what happened before we fell asleep.

Together: (whispering)"Snow's coming! Woohoo! SQUEALLLLL!"
Me:(Thinking) "Gasp! No milk!"
Big Fella: (Thinking) "Gasp! She better go out and get some milk!"
Me: I am not going outside!
Big Fella: Neither am I!
Me: You can drive the ca.................Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Big Fella: No wa.........ZzzzzzzzzzzzSnoreZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


I looked out the window to see a swirling mist of snow come from the clouds

and the street was covered! Well, kinda.

and their was some pretty icicles on the windows. (alright, it is slush, don't ruin my illusion!)OK, it was not exactly snow, but it will do me! I must go outside and investigate and take a brisk winter walk. Besides, we need milk and unless I walk the long trek to the shop, I am sure no kind of cow in its right mind would be out in weather like this. I am not making snow angels though, it would be like doing the back stroke through rice pudding. Oh, alright then, maybe later!
I hunted out my trusty snow armour and wee green hat.


my ever faithful gloves with mitten attachment no less. I got these years are going on a weekend away to Amsterdam with Big fella. I can not remember buying them or much else only the chocolate brownies were delicious and I couldn't stop eating them.

Bow to the Per De Resistance, these bad boys! Oh, yes, no worries for me walking in this weather! Trust me, I am not used to such fancy attire, Big fella got me the Santa like boots for Christmas ( giving them to me in October mind you, he can't hold water that boy! He has already found his Christmas presents ages ago. Our Christmas over. Too all new readers, no, he is not my five old child, he is actually my partner of four years. We have no children at the moment as my hands are pretty full at the minute as you can see.)

I stuck on my gear, unsure whether I put the boots on the right feet or not,
and moving at the speed and the look of the marshmallow man out of ghost busters film, I made my way down the stairs to the front door. (Do you see how marsh mallows are haunting my thoughts, that time in Starbucks was a traumatic time for all concerned it would seem..)

I opened the front door only to be blasted in the face by slushy splattering wind. I immediately slammed the door shut, hoping I would never be faced with the like again. I promptly went up the stairs, told big fella to get up from the floor of the living room and help me make a tent and get some milk! He refused and is now lying in his own tent in bed. How lazy is he? He wouldn't even get up to go outside in the......
Anyway, here is my very productive day in snow/ slush from my living room window.





It soon became too cold by the windows and cloud watched on the sofa, dreaming I could fly!

and soon the snow clouds parted,

and life begins again.

Now, as I sit here with my herbal tea dreaming it was hot chocolate, (still no milk) I am thankful for the shelter from the storm and spare a thought for those who do not at this bitterly cold time of year. I am very lucky. Hope you are toasty, cozy and warm wherever you are, if only in heart!
Cheerio for now!