Spring came around and, once again, The Cat spent the first few weeks of her new family’s life in the fields before bringing them to The Cat’s Garden for weaning. The field was as exciting as ever for the three little ones, with undergrowth to hide in, the prickly pear with its trunks well-suited to practising climbing and wide, flat leaves perfect for napping, and the dry stone walls with their many crevices and hidey-holes.

This year, there were three kittens – two girls (Ratchet and Sprocket) and one boy (Pedal). Ratchet was a calico with a lovely black mask. Sprocket’s colours were more dilute, and Pedal was a grey-and-white tabby.

Ratchet…

Sprocket…

…and Pedal.

The Cat was a proud mamma and no doubt congratulated herself on producing such an excellent brood.