It seemed that The Cat’s priorities were changing. She was spending more time in the garden, using it as her home base, and going to the fields for just a few hours here and there. She knew that her regular supplies of food and water were in the garden and the drive, and, although she was not averse to hunting, surely a bowl of food from the humans or a pail of water from the well was much less effort than a do-it-yourself meal from the fields.

Being well-trained humans, we worried about the effect of the cold, damp winters on The Cat. We didn’t know how old she was or anything much about her, but she certainly wasn’t getting any younger. So, as matriarch of the garden, her well-trained humans thought she deserved shelter befitting her position.

A pod was purchased for additional shelter. The Cat was initially indifferent, but Sprocket was interested straight away, carrying out a thorough inspection inside and out.

As soon as The Cat noted her daughter’s approval, she wasted no time in taking up residence herself. Naturally we bought another, to avoid any argument.