The reason for the lapse in communications is that we've been in London, and Canada in Adam's case. I am now here for a very short spell before Xmas, to talk to some builders and to check on the cats, and see how the village is. The truth is I can't keep away! Even in winter.
I drove from La Coruña airport last night. Usually uneventful and around an hour and a half. Last night though, the fog (la niebla) was terrible most of the way. This was especially true on the brand new highway from Lugo (Lugo's around 50 kms north of here) to Monforte de Lemos. The fog got really bad around Sarria. I was able to do around 100 kph until there was what appeared to be a wall of white and I had to slow down suddenly, eyeing a car in the rear view mirror to ensure it was slowing down equally quickly. Soon after, feeling my way along with only a few metres visibility in front, there was an overtaking lane and I gratefully moved into the right. The car behind followed suit and I realised the driver was probably as freaked out as I was, and he or she wanted someone else in front thank you very much! It was quite scary.
Anyway, I did make it and 24 hours later am sitting with the pellet stove making everything very cosy in the barn conversion. It's getting down to about 3 or 4 degrees at night at the moment. That's bad enough but we can get below zero here and there is often 'mucha niebla' in the morning.
I set up these large plastic boxes last time I was here, in an abandoned house nearby (well, actually, it's our next building project!). I bought some warm igloo type things and put them inside. Tomorrow I will get some sticky tape, wad it into a ball, and see if I can detect fur! I really hope they're using them as I reckon they could get quite snuggly in there in a heap. They are certainly somewhere in the morning as I didn't see them until late.
I drove from La Coruña airport last night. Usually uneventful and around an hour and a half. Last night though, the fog (la niebla) was terrible most of the way. This was especially true on the brand new highway from Lugo (Lugo's around 50 kms north of here) to Monforte de Lemos. The fog got really bad around Sarria. I was able to do around 100 kph until there was what appeared to be a wall of white and I had to slow down suddenly, eyeing a car in the rear view mirror to ensure it was slowing down equally quickly. Soon after, feeling my way along with only a few metres visibility in front, there was an overtaking lane and I gratefully moved into the right. The car behind followed suit and I realised the driver was probably as freaked out as I was, and he or she wanted someone else in front thank you very much! It was quite scary.
Anyway, I did make it and 24 hours later am sitting with the pellet stove making everything very cosy in the barn conversion. It's getting down to about 3 or 4 degrees at night at the moment. That's bad enough but we can get below zero here and there is often 'mucha niebla' in the morning.
I set up these large plastic boxes last time I was here, in an abandoned house nearby (well, actually, it's our next building project!). I bought some warm igloo type things and put them inside. Tomorrow I will get some sticky tape, wad it into a ball, and see if I can detect fur! I really hope they're using them as I reckon they could get quite snuggly in there in a heap. They are certainly somewhere in the morning as I didn't see them until late.
So, who have I seen cat-wise? The first visitor this morning was Frank Sinatra. Then I saw Jessica, then TortiMiniMe, then her brother, and finally Jessica's sister the tail-less cat and the one I call La Tigre who is the only female who comes around who is not yet neutered. No sign yet of (either) butterfly cat, or Tottipizza.
Jessica and her son were catching the last few rays on the wall this afternoon, looking pretty content - and robust, which in early winter is an encouraging sign. Sorry about the photo, taken with my phone this time.
Jessica and her son were catching the last few rays on the wall this afternoon, looking pretty content - and robust, which in early winter is an encouraging sign. Sorry about the photo, taken with my phone this time.
All had canned food, and I will add some brewers' yeast to the next few meals as I have read it helps keep the fleas under control see link here . Getting flea treatment onto necks is not an option!
I was thinking that although we can't get physically close to these cats, we do have relationships with them. They certainly know us, our voices, and they seem to trust us. When I approached Jessica this afternoon for the photo above she didn't move at all and I was a metre from her.
When we are here they (or the colony at this end of the village) work it out pretty quickly and tend to be here too, or at least pass through frequently. Our neighbour Manolo said this evening he suspected we were here, as there had been fewer diners at his macaroni restaurant.
I was thinking that although we can't get physically close to these cats, we do have relationships with them. They certainly know us, our voices, and they seem to trust us. When I approached Jessica this afternoon for the photo above she didn't move at all and I was a metre from her.
When we are here they (or the colony at this end of the village) work it out pretty quickly and tend to be here too, or at least pass through frequently. Our neighbour Manolo said this evening he suspected we were here, as there had been fewer diners at his macaroni restaurant.
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