Friday 7 March 2008

Of to Paris - again!

Off to Paris again on Sunday to watch France v Italy, at the Stade de France. We are leaving at the crack of dawn to get the train in Limoges and coming back very late on Sunday evening. I am really looking forward to it as we haven't been to a rugby match since last September. We used to be season ticket holders for London Irish back in blighty and used to go every other week and scream ourselves hoarse, drink Guinness (compulsory) and sing 'Field of Athenry' at the top of our voices. They didn't always win, but the atmosphere was fantastic.

The only problem we have with going away for a full day is the cats and chooks. Our friend who lives 1 minute away is coming to feed them, and I have been typing an instruction manual for her! I have cut it down to ten pages and OH says I should cut it down further! You see it's not as if has never looked after an animal before - she has dogs, horses, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. But, being a true animal lover I molly-coddle mine. Misty and Jemima like to have their food in dishes on the table. After a while Misty likes me to hold her dish for her. Josh likes to be watched whilst eating and you have to tempt him to eat by sniffing the food in his dish and making 'Mmmmm' noises when you put it down for him. Jemima will only eat tuna and dry cat food, Misty likes kitten food in gravy, Rosie and Josh hate gravy and like food in jelly but only fishy varieties! Sounds like I pamper them a bit?!

Guest chickens like a warm breakfast of pasta, leftovers, rice and sunflower seeds. They don't like corn, not keen on blé, and have gone off their pellets. Our chooks wander round the garden but like a handful of rice and pasta.

Luckily she know us well enough to say that she will turn a light on for them and put the TV on in the evening, so they don't get lonely.

11 comments:

aims said...

Oh Lord! Sounds all too familiar!

My brother has a himalayan cat that is so small it's amazing. She is very particular about her food - will only eat a tablespoon at the most at a time and you have to put it in the microwave for 8 seconds.

When she visits I have to make a huge fuss over her - then call her silly names and feed her the warm food on the bed.....

My cat - she'll love a food for a while - then won't give it the time of day...what is with that? Of course - I do exactly the same thing. The Man can never really stock up on any one thing as I'll just quit eating it.

Maggie May said...

Ha, my neighbour & I used to do the same thing when we both had cats! We used to write very detailed notes to each other of their requirements! It was good to know that she would see to all the little fads & things & she knew I did the same. We used to book holidays at different times, so we could cat sit for each other. This went on for years & when the cats all died, we used to house sit!
I had no idea that hens might be pernickety feeders though. Thought they would just "pitch in"!

Breezy said...

Maggie May those hens would pitch in but Debra has just looked after them too well. Instead of sneaking off next door they will be running back down the road to Debra's when we get home. It's comforting to know they are there though!

softinthehead said...

Lucky you - have fun in Paris. BTW i think you must have too much time on your hands to pander to all your cats so. Our dog just feels grateful to get fed!

Debra in France said...

Hi Aims, Josh the same with food - he will devour a tin of cat food one day, then we will go and buy 10 tins of it, then he won't touch it!

Hi Maggie, When we were in the UK we lived in the same village as my in-laws. My mother in law used to feed our cats and we did the same for her. We would put the TV and sit with them for half and hour knowing that she did exactly the same for us. Breezy is right about the guest chooks though. I look at them in their coup and just want to give them a nice warm breakfast!

Hi B, We just want you to know that they are being well looked after. It is a big responsibility looking after someone elses animals. We don't want the God of Chickens to cast his wrath on us!!

Hi SITH, I know we have created a rod for our own backs by pandering to them - c'est la vie! We are just chatting about what we would like to do before the match starts while we are in Paris, weather permitting of course.

softinthehead said...

OK don't rub it in, I would love to be in your shoes, as it is I am checking out Radio Five Live from here in Canada to see if the BBC will condescend to let us watch. I don't understand the concept of not allowing the games to be on the net, because if I could possibly watch it on TV or actually buy tickets I would have done but some matches are blocked. Fingers crossed I get to see someone play this weekend. Think of me while you are getting stuck into the Guinness.

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Well, Debra, all I can say is that I'm coming back as one of your cats! M :)
PS Hope you enjoyed Paris..

Wooly Works said...

Good gravy! I'd like to be one of you animals, too! I'm afraid that mine would either eat what was offered or waste away to nothing. What a tender soul you must be! Your cat joke was right on the money!

By the way, you've just been tagged with one of those blasted memes. Go to my blog and play along : ) !

Breezy said...

So how was Paris?

softinthehead said...

OK that's a whole week, you must have recovered from your weekend in Paris by now - come back

farming-frenchstyle said...

I wish I was one of your cats!