February days could be warm and mild, but nights tended to be cool and damp. Some of the cats didn’t seem to mind the damp weather, arriving wet and muddy to eat and seeming quite unaffected by it; others hated the wind, rain and mud. But whichever camp they fell into, they all enjoyed basking in the warmth of the sun after breakfast, shaking off the memory of the cool, damp nights.

The upturned greengrocers’ boxes with hardboard bases were always popular as the hardboard started to cave in during the damp weather; their shape must have felt like memory foam to the cats. You can see how comfortable Pippin looked here, fast asleep.

And anywhere elevated, like in a tree, was popular. This tree had died and been cut down, but despite that, the cats still headed for it, relaxing like Pascha is here, in the crook of the trunk and branches and the sun came round in the morning.

The first place to get the sun in the morning was the verandah, which was why the water tank in the corner was The Cat’s favourite spot for grooming and napping after breakfast. Here, her great-grandson Pascha and his best friend and guide Sherpa were debating whether to nap or tussle. Pascha was partially sighted and younger kitten Sherpa had become his best friend and guide.

If you weren’t keen on humans, then somewhere more elevated was a good choice. Here, Sundown was on the plant ledge above the verandah while her sister Moonstruck sat precariously in the neighbouring pomegranate tree, no doubt hoping that Sundown would either shuffle up and make room for her, or decide to go back down to the garden, leaving the ledge free for Moonstruck.

Groups of boxes, planks and boards were good for communal grooming and napping. The grass would be heavy with the overnight dew and an hour or so sitting here would give the grass time to start to dry off before the cats headed off to their daytime places.

Pictured left to right are The Cat’s daughter, Flora, Sherpa, Flora’s daughter Satsuma, and Sundown. The header photo shows Flora and Pippin.

The sun was out, bellies were full, and paws were dry. Another day was well under way.