Contretemps with the cat!
Hello again
Welcome to our life in France, or welcome back if you are already following our story. Each week an update on all that life brings, as we settle into our rural ‘petit château’ in the Tarn département – the ups and downs and our long slow renovation of this beautiful quirky old house.
A short (and late) post this week as I have suffered a little (actually a lot as it turns out) at the teeth of Raoul! More on that shortly, but it has meant my right hand is out of action – very annoying when right-handed. I am typing this with just my left hand and seemingly can only manage one finger! Very laborious.
Another week that has not quite gone according to plan – seems to be the story of my life at the moment. The early part of this week was taken up with work plus 2 board meetings on 2 consecutive evenings. The plan then was for a few days of gardening and decorating but disaster struck.
I mentioned in last week’s post (see Lockdown Birthday Number 2) that the kittens were becoming slightly reluctant to come in at the end of the day. Understandably as it’s much too exciting outside.
Well post-meeting on Tuesday it was Raoul’s turn to want to stay out. We popped out at around 8.30pm and he came running up to me and happily jumped into my arms. Great I thought, this is going to be much easier than expected. He, however, worked out very quickly that we were heading in so started to wriggle. I held on to his scruff but as it turns out not well enough. He managed to turn his head, claws and teeth at the ready, sliced one finger and sunk his teeth into the other. Needless to say I let him go but not as fast as I should have. A big ouch! That cat has razor teeth and claws. Lots of blood, pain and slightly colourful language. I think even Raoul was a bit shocked as he turned to look at me – whether by what he had done or my language who knows. I am sure no-one wants to see the wound – even I don’t, so here is a photo of the darling culprit.
Raoul wouldn’t come in that night so we were in and out and up during the night trying to coax him in, alongside me not sleeping as the pain in my fingers was quite acute. He returned at about 6.30am, ate and went to sleep. Wednesday night once again he disappeared. The other 3, after an action packed day, were happy to come in, eat and sleep. Clearly Raoul is growing up and doesn’t want to stay in. No idea how this will work out. Maybe he will get bored with chilly nights out.
Well it seems he did as it was all change on Thursday, Raoul slept all day, was reluctant to go out and went back to sleeping in the house with his brother and sisters. A quite cautious, maybe contrite kitten eventually had a cuddle with me on Friday morning. Lots of purring – maybe his way of saying sorry! He remains less keen to go outside – maybe night out number 2 brought him more than he expected. I am sure it must be quite scary out there – lots of wildlife.
To cut a long story short, after 2 days in agony, with 2 very sore and swollen fingers, unable to do anything with my right hand and feeling quite sorry for myself, I contacted the doctor. I was hopeful that I had avoided an infection but no! My middle finger, where I was bitten rather than scratched, is well and truly infected. Max was despatched to the pharmacy to collect a tetanus injection (as she didn’t have one) plus antibiotics, while I waited at the surgery. I am now OK for the next 20 years where tetanus is concerned, so that is good!
Poor Max has had to take over everything and even help me get washed and dressed. Practice for old age perhaps! I remain in pain doing everything with my left hand, which I believe is very good for the brain! Let’s hope so. I have been enjoying my morning drink in bed (no not wine, hot water with a slice of lemon) watching the ever fabulous sunrises. Very therapeutic, and quite nice to get up a little later!
In other news we went to collect the free bed base – fortunately before the finger episode so I was able to be helpful. On arrival we discovered something of a vide-maison and, as I mentioned last week, have acquired a gorgeous little ceramic woodburning stove. This type of stove may well have once occupied some of our fireplaces in times gone by. After a bit of research it would appear that it might be 19th century and is the same design as the pink coloured one in the photo. It needs some cleaning and putting back together – this photo is just part of it. It will sit decoratively in one of our fireplaces, perhaps filled with fairylights. I am looking forward to cleaning it up.
I also ended up acquiring a few plant pots (to be collected) and bought a beautiful wrought iron garden chair and an old Parisian tree protector also in wrought iron, both of which, once tidied up and painted, will look lovely in the garden. More on that next week. The lady also gave me a sweet little table on wrought iron legs. The top needs sorting out – some pretty tiles I think and it will make a perfect garden table, maybe to go with the chair. More projects. I think I must be part-magpie!
Hopefully by next week I will be back to painting, gardening and working at full speed, although that does, at this point, seem a little unlikely. I might even get back to getting my posts out on time.
To end on a positive note – we have heard a cuckoo for the last few days, a sure sign that warmer weather is on its way – hopefully!
Enjoy your week.
A bientôt
Ali xx
