Today has been a wonderful gift in that Maman Fleur presented us with all her kittens this morning. Already yesterday, much to our delight, two ginger ones and Fleurette followed their mum as she came out for a bite to eat. Mewing gently and with wobbly movements they approached the exit cautiously and then slid off the hessian lining onto the carpet below. This was their first encounter with solid ground after ten days bouncing around under our bed and of course with us too.

Though Maman Fleur fussed over them making encouraging sounds one little chap remained resolutely under our bed. But this morning all four popped their heads out and, one by one, the kitties slid down from the lining to explore the carpet further. Although still wobbly and uncertain on their feet they mooched around, sometimes bumping into each other, other times finding mum and crawling over her, or letting themselves be kissed and caressed (and photographed) by their human family. Now that everyone was finally outside we were able to sex them and are delighted to say that we have three ginger boys and one little girl.

Prior to the birth, Nigel and I had bought Fleur a super cat basket which we’d hoped she might use ‘on the big day’ and though she and Graham duly tested it out in the end the underneath of our bed got her vote instead. Today however, she and her babies snuggled into it for a little while (posing for a family photo in the meantime) and seemed to enjoy this new world. By now the babies were getting hungry and tired so mum gently laid on her side and the Milk Bar was open for orders. One by one the milky bar kids slowly fell asleep still attached to mum and she, bless her, not moving at all but purring all the while.

Returning later, we found that mum and babies had retired under our bed again. Nigel and I and the rest of the furries continue to sleep on the floor in the other bedroom . . .