The Cat’s next litter was a couple of years later when she gave birth to Fickle, Fleckle, Fred and Drip in the field. This was to be the first time she would bring her family to the garden for weaning and it marked the start a change in The Cat’s relationship with the humans as she was beginning to become more relaxed with them around, even if she didn’t quite trust us yet.

The kittens knew the world was theirs to explore, and explore they did.

Today from the photo archive here are four photos of The Cat’s family playing – you might have to look closely to find the kittens as they are well-disguised in some of the photos!

Firstly, here are Fickle and Drip playing in the prickly pear cactus in the fields. There are some spikes on the edges of the newer leaves, but the old leaves are relatively smooth. The way this cactus grows endears it to cats as the horizontal leaves are sturdy enough to carry their weight for an off-the-ground nap, out of the way of roaming dogs.

Drip, in the vine. The kittens soon discovered that they could use the vine to get safely from the garden wall to the ground. The long, sinuous branches were strong enough for kittens, and there was an old, rickety wooden ladder, totally unsuitable for humans but perfect for cats, which they used for the last couple of metres.

You might have to search a bit to find Fred in the next photo – he knew he was well-hidden and still had the choice between returning to the wall or proceeding down the vine and into the garden (he chose the latter).

And finally, Fickle who had obviously been watching her brother Fred closely and decided that the vine was the place to be. She blends in well with the limestone (and the grapes!) so you might have to look closely.

Fickle is also featured in the header photo. Nature provided more than enough playthings and adventures for a family of kittens!