Sometimes her fur colours just melded into the background, whether it was out in the fields or in the garden, where she liked to lie to a soft bed of dry olive leaves. Her fur was thickening up, ready for the colder months, and you can see the difference in texture in her advancing years in the later photos. Once the first rain had come, the grass started to grow again after the long, hot summer and she enjoyed snuggling down into a grassy nest under the fruit trees.

1. The Cat on the wall between the drive and the fields. She was much more friendly than she had been and was learning to trust the humans.

2. Fast asleep on a bed of olive leaves in the garden. In this corner the following year, she gave birth to her litter behind a pile of olive branches. A few days later, her daughter Sprocket joined her with her kittens and their joint colony was established.

3. Surveying the garden from a farmer’s crate.

4. Enjoying the morning sun after a good breakfast.

5. The Cat’s fur was thickening up for the winter, but underneath she was still as skinny as ever.

6. Enjoying the soft feel of the grass in the garden. In later years, The Cat liked to snuggle down into a grassy nest.

7. The Cat’s last October with us and you can see the change in her condition with her advancing years. Lychee, who was never a strong kitten or cat, found comfort in The Cat’s presence and The Cat seemed to enjoy being needed once again.