Christmas Chez Norskwood...

Well, it was a quiet but happy day here yesterday. Gethin opened his presents, well to be fair, we opened his presents. I think he would have got RSI if he'd tried he had that many! We dressed him up as a reindeer for the occasion just to embarrass him in later years, and because he looked SO cute.



The kittens all joined in and played with paper, bags and enjoyed the Queen's speech and lots of food.

Betty's Three Tortie Terrors



Today I took some photos of Betty's girls and I shall endeavour to load a slideshow of them on here today (it's a bit hit and miss, not sure if it's me or what!). They had places to be and weren't keen on having their photos done, but I tried my best.

They are now 6 weeks old and extremely cheeky running around the house like a herd of small elephants. Although I've had a lot of interest, the girls still haven't found their new human slaves unfortunately. If you'd like to know more about the kittens then please phone Ali on 0208 529 8114.

Roly Poly's Photo Shoot



Back in June I took Roly and Cordy to a photo shoot for Pro Plan. Cordy wasn't playing ball but Roly was having a wonderful time until he decided he didn't like the noise of the enormous flash gun!

 This photo is the first photo that was taken of him that day and was almost used for the product- in the end they used a photo of a friend's cat because of the placement of her paws (odd, but that's how they work!). I think he looks great bless him.

Betty's World Show Kittens

Betty's Beauties

Just before I went to the World Show, Betty and Cracker were due their kittens anytime from the Sunday (23rd October) to the Tuesday (25th October). She'd shown signs of going into labour on Monday but not much happened thereafter and so I was on the phone to our vet and even took poor Betty up for him to examine- he told me not to panic but you see, Blue Boo and I were going to Poland on the Thursday and Steve doesn't "do" midwifery!

Anyway, Betty thankfully had the girls on Wednesday  26th October just in time and all was well. Her three girls are just gorgeous: 2 Black Torties and a Blue Tortie Blotched Tabby.They are all growing very well and are very sociable and very beautiful. Please scroll down for photos of the babes. If you'd like to know more then please phone Ali on 0208 529 8114.

                                               Black Tortie Girl Number 1- Available



Black Tortie Girl Number 2- Available

Blue Tortie Blotched Tabby Girl- On Hold

World Winner's Show 2011, Poznan Poland

Well, I'm very late in posting this. It's been such a busy time and I just don't get chance to sit down at the computer.

We went along with several friends to the World Winner's Show in Poland on a road trip- it was a long way, but brilliant fun. Well, it was fun once I'd got the rear windsreen in the Audi replaced having driven the car out the garage in a blind panic at 6 a.m. without closing the tailgate... that was an expensice mistake. We had to book another crossing on the Eurotunnel and meet everyone in Germany. We met up with Fred and Andrea there and of coure our collective new stud cat Fatty whom they bred.

Still, Blue Boo and Cecilia's cat Alfie settled down in the back of the car with their litter trays and food and water and thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the hotels. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves eating and drinking lots in the hotels! Fatty proved to have the most superb temperament and he fitted right in with John and Caroline in their room.

The show was amazing- over 1500 cats from all over- Scandinavia, Germany, France, Greece, most of Europe plus Israel and Brazil. The trade stands were fantastic and so cheap compared to the UK. our pens attracted a lot of attention as we'd decorated them for Hallowe'en.

Alfie won BIV- we were over the moon. Fatty was 3rd in a big and strong class, and poor Blue Boo came 2nd to a cat mainly because his judge prefered Black cats to Blue cats. Still, the experience was great and the cats behaved impeccably.

We had the chance to make new friends and chat with old ones too- I'd go again if I can, but you need a cat with a bomb proof temperament. Blue Boo even came out on a harness for a walk- and he isn't even harness trained!

The Pens

Fatty with John

The Felis Britannica Gang with judge Robert Lubrano- more wine, in fine voice!

Me with Blue Boo just before judging- he was robbed!

Amazing Adventures at the Norsk Skogkatt Society Show 1st October 2011

Well, we had a great day out at the Norsk Skogkatt Socety Show on Saturday. The weather was incredible- swelteringly hot. Greebo came out for his first show for over 18 months and won the Grand class making him up to Grand Champion at last at the age of 5. He really loved being back out at a show too. It just goes to show that some cats continue to mature and look good as they get older. I'm a very proud Mum.

Blue Boo also came and was penned next to Greebo, which was good for them as they talked to each other all day. Blue Boo also won his Grand class (his first) and was very chilled out.

His number was called out at the end of the show and it transpired that he'd won Best in Show Adult Male and then Best in Show Adult too. He took it all in his stride- he's so used to being up at the Best in Show panel at FIFe shows and fortunately his steward Saffy is used to showing her Maine Coons and knows how to present a large cat- he looked fabulous. This is his first GCCF Best in Show. Mind you he's only been to 6 GCCF shows.

Gethin came with us too and was prety good considering the heat and the crowds- he loved seeing all the cats. You'd think he saw enough at home really wouldn't you?!

I was incredibly proud of my boys...





Premier Nordlys Dewi aka "Dude"

I don't know where to begin with this. 2 days ago Dewi was a little quiet, but ok when I went to see everyone at lunchtime, but when I returned to give them their supper I wondered where he was. It turned out that he was in his house looking dazed, so I brought him in the house and phoned our vet and I made him comfortable in Gethin's room.

Overnight he had several fits and at 6 am I rang our vet once more and then took Dewi straight up to see him. He had ascites and some jaundice and as more tests were done it turned out to be a tumour of his liver. He survived 23 hours and when Stephen checked him first thing this morning he made the painful decision to put him to sleep.

Dewi was a proper cat. He was one of our first NFO's and went out and about decimating the bird population. He even killed a cockatiel once (it had a disastrous effect on his tummy though!). Since June I'd kept him in as a neighbour was trying to poach him and was feeding him all sorts of rubbish. So when he became ill he was here and not in some garden at risk of predators.

He was a GCCF Premier. He had always come 2nd as a kitten and then all of a sudden took off and was Best in Show SLH Neuter at the Southern Counties in 2005. We loved his "Wah"! sound that he made when he was happy. We'll miss that. So will his sister Willow- she is just over a year younger than Dude but they always knew they were related and they always "kissed" and greeted each other happily every day.

Sleep well darling- you're in cat heaven now with your brother Dom and half sister Izzy. We love you xXx