Wednesday 27 February 2013

Where have the mogs gone?

I know it's been cold and grey, but there's no excuse for this current barren streetmog spell. Come on, cats, show your furry selves. Leave your radiators and duvets, come outside for some fresh air, it's lovely out! Three long working days on the spin yet only one more mog for the blog. I did spot another one though, near the wonderful Crooked Billet pub, but he was a very nervy soul and didn't let me get close enough for a photo, let alone a stroke. It was a perfectly drizzly, atmospheric English winter's day up at the common yesterday, and I decided that I'd return to the pub on completion of my round. I did, rewarding my postal labours with a perfect pint and an even greater burger.


Anyway, that's very off-topic. Back to the kitties.

Streetmog number: 120
Streetmog name: Albert
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Kerb
Preferred stroke: Tummy tickle (for bitey attacks)
Character: Playful
Other: Albert raced across the road (mercifully free of traffic) to see me when I called him, which was a sight to see. He was very keen to play and showed himself to be a cheeky rascal. He was extremely energetic and overly excited which manifested itself in sporadic fang and claw attacks - but he was just playing, of course. What a splendid ginger-white.





Sunday 24 February 2013

Solitary brother

is there still a part of you that wants to live? Solitary sister (streetmog), etc. It's been a while since the last post; in fact, it's been quite a while since I've even seen a mog out on the rounds but then I did take a couple of days off for half-term, and there's been more driving vans than plodding streets for me recently - I blame Amazon. Add the continuing cold clime to that mix and you get a dearth of mogs and a stagnating blog. It's just as well that this beautiful kit appeared, and in doing so brought a halt to the mini hiatus:

Streetmog number: 119
Streetmog name: Maneki
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Middle of street
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Flighty
Other: Maneki appeared out of nowhere, catching me off-guard. It was a freezing morning and it took me a while to dig the camera out from the depths of my warm, inner pockets. Luckily, she was an inquisitive sort and hung around for a while. When I tried to give her a stroke, however, she wouldn't have it; each time I approached her, she let out a maudlin miaow and moved away. I think she would have enjoyed some fussing, but her nerves and/or distrust of the postman got the better of her.


 




Thursday 14 February 2013

Feline Valentine

That's a crap title but hey I'm tired. One and a half mogs today; one was not interested in a greeting let alone a meeting, whilst the other put on an affectionate display of head and back rubbing. Read on, streetmog lovers...

Streetmog number: 117
Streetmog name: Slinky
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Distant
Preferred stroke:
Character: Total skit
Other: Slinky appeared from one side of a car park, crossed over, and then swiftly disappeared to the other side. He was in no mood to stop, despite my best cat-attracting efforts. It's a pity I didn't manage to get the camera out in time, as he was a most handsome fellow. Sociable or not, Slinky is still a great cat. They all are. Cats are great. And I'm sure he's a truly affectionate puss, once settled at home with friends.


Streetmog number: 118
Streetmog name: Truffle
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Garden wall
Preferred stroke: Back rub
Character: Poseur
Other: Truffle was a blue eyed beauty, with a wonderful character to complement those equally wonderful markings. He was an exhibitionist too, flaunting his good looks with a succession of self-administered back scratches and head rubs. He was happy to be fussed over, which was nice. I had been informed (by possibly the greatest postman in the world, big Colin) that many mogs frequent this street and it was great to finally get the chance to meet one. I'll be back again one day soon, of that I am sure. And Colin, one day soon you might actually read Streetmogs!






Tuesday 12 February 2013

Shrove Cat Day

Man oh man it was freezing cold in South London today. Plain old cold. No snow, no rain, no wind, no sun. Just flat, grey and dull. I wasn't expecting to see any mogs in these frigid conditions but to my glad surprise three feline souls were daft/unlucky/brave enough to venture out, and they each had one thing in common: looking fed up and desirous of being indoors, perhaps for a fish pancake.

Streetmog number: 114
Streetmog name: Black Eyed Pea
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window ledge (coveting indoors)
Preferred stroke: Head scrunch dip
Character: Loveable
Other: How do you name a one eyed mog without being mean, cliched or tacky? Black Eye Pea will have to do.With his demi-vision, this fluffy black ball of cat melted my heart. He was happy to be fussed over and gave off a deep purr while being petted. He was such an affectionate mog and I only wish I could have granted his wish and let him in.





Streetmog number: 115
Streetmog name: Treacle
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window ledge
Preferred stroke:  Chin rub
Character: Inquisitive
Other: Treacle lived a stone's throw from Black Eyed Pea and had assumed a very similar position of outer window sill abandonment. I love her single white toe. Do cats have toes? Yes, of course they do. Despite being a bit nervy, she would have surely let me fuss over her for a bit, but the man from the council decided to start up his (pointless and I despise them) leaf blower and scared poor Treacle away. Stupid leaf blowers.





Streetmog number: 116
Streetmog name:
Actual name: Boo
Favourite Location: On dustbin
Preferred stroke: Under ear
Character: Nonplussed
Other: Boo (collar tag revealed true identity) was a funny old kitty. I've no idea why he was sitting atop the plastic dustbin; perhaps he was merely keeping his furry tail off the cold ground and surveying his domain. He was calm and confident and not at all bothered by my presence but judging by his expression he seemed to be having a pretty bad day. I expect he wanted in, like our previous two mogs. Anyway, once he'd sniffed me the okay, he was up for some fussing and appeared to enjoy the attention.





Thursday 7 February 2013

From a distance

A couple of moggles showed up early on and that turned out to be it for the day. One appeared from below, one from above:

Streetmog number: 112
Streetmog name: Tabitha
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Under car/under gate/under the radar
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Puzzled
Other: Tabitha shot out from under the Ka, got her bearings, noticed me, and then disappeared under the gate. I tried to convince her that some fussing was in order but, despite mulling it over, she passed up my offer and slunk off into the back garden.



Streetmog number: 113
Streetmog name: Walter
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Sun-drenched balcony
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Lofty
Other: Walter was in mog heaven, sunning himself on his private balcony, out of harm's way and in a position where he could survey all below him, including the postman. He watched me approach, held his gaze as I took my photo, and then disdainfully looked away. He was untouchable; he was magnificent; and he knew it.





Wednesday 6 February 2013

Solitary sill sitter

After the mog excess of yesterday, it was actually a relief to meet just the one feline friend today. Too much work, not enough time, and the footy on the telly this evening. I must say that it was a truly enjoyable working day, made all the more sweet by being proffered a tupperware container of freshly cooked curry from the grateful recipient of a parcel; as the door was opened, the aroma was overpowering. It smelled so good, I just had to ask what it was...and the rest is history, and in my tum. Thank you, Ganesha! Anyway, although it's tempting to spout on about the life and trials, and spoils, of a postman, I will resist and concentrate on the cats...


Streetmog number: 111
Streetmog name: Spats
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window sill
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Suspicious
Other: Spats just sat there and stared. He had every right to. He was in the warm, sheltered from Wimbledon's bitter northerly wind, whilst silly postie man was flouncing around outside with a daft grin on his face and a camera in his cold hand.


Pussy Galore

I can't believe I've not used that title before, but then I'm pretty sure there's not been such a mog-productive day. What a haul! Seven stupendous streetmogs have added their name and number to the cat-counter and we now have 111 moggles to oggle over. I'm regularly asked if the cats are repeats and I can confidently say no, they're all unique. I cross-check my mog files before I go public with a new post. Due to my part-time/reserve postie status, I work all over the SW19 area, so I'm lucky enough to get varied walks/drives/duties throughout the week. Whether I'm in Wimbledon Park, Southfields, Colliers Wood or the wondrous Wimbledon Common, you can guarantee that I'll be meeting the mogs, and shall continue to do so!


Streetmog number: 105
Streetmog name: Xavier
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Pavement
Preferred stroke: Never got close enough
Character: Cheeky monkey mog
Other: Xavier led me on a merry chase, at a time when I was really too busy to be following cats. He appeared from a garden path but as I approached he trotted away down the street, and this continued for quite a few houses until I gave up, although I still managed to grab a pic or two. Perhaps he was trying to lead me to his own house. He was a cheeky kit, anyway.



Streetmog number: 106
Streetmog name: Toblerone
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window sill
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Unimpressed
Other: Toblerone was not happy to be disturbed, even though I was only there for a matter of seconds. As I got closer to grab a snap, he made a move to abandon his warm viewing point, so I backed off quickly; I never want to upset our lovely mogs!



Streetmog number: (82)
Streetmog name: Scrat Mask
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Paving stones
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Oblivious
Other: Scrat brought a huge Cheshire grin to my face, as he sat there motionless in the wind, asleep. He made for a funny yet adorable spectacle; the wind was whipping his fur up yet he seemed unfazed. He did actually open one eye when I took my photo, but he didn't seem bothered in the least and soon went back to the land of nod and dreams of fresh fish, warm radiators and mouses.

Despite my insistence of there being no repeats, I've noticed that I have indeed spotted and documented Scrat before! He is Streetmog number 82, Mask, looking rather different, but it's definitely him. I still keep a track of the street location so it's easy to cross-check possible doubles. Nice try, Mask.



Streetmog number: 107
Streetmog name: Duffle
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window will
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Lordly
Other: Duffle appeared rather lordly, although I am going to hazard a guess that she's a lady. She was basking in the (behind glass and therefore accentuated) warmth of the winter sun, and seemed blissfully content. The photo is pretty dire, but she hadn't helped by making a mess of the window pane with her paws...!



Streetmog number: 108
Streetmog name: Pesto II
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Door mat
Preferred stroke: Under head scrunch (see pic!)
Character: Playful puss
Other: Pesto II (named after one of my previous cats, due to its similarities) was a bundle of fun. She showed an avid interest in my bundle of letters that I'd put down and proceeded to attack a bill. Nice move, Pesto II. The wind was blowing everything around at this point and we all know that the wind makes mogs mental! She was also up for some fussing and then did some stretches (show off) on the mat. A really lovely, affectionate, sweet little thing.





Streetmog number: 109
Streetmog name: Butternut II
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Sun strewn drive
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Nervy
Other: Butternut II has also been named due to the similarities with another of my (current) cats. In fact, he looks very alike. Unlike my very own soppy and overtly friendly Butternut, this chap was rather shy and wouldn't let me get any closer than this. I was okay with that, though, as it had been a long day, there was still much work to be done and I was already happy with my haul of streetmogs.




Streetmog number: 110
Streetmog name: Mrs Marmite
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window sill
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Indifferent
Other: In my humble opinion, the most beautiful mog has been saved until last. Mrs Marmite (I have been told that tortoise shells are usually female) was also sat in a window, sun-spoiling herself rotten. She was totally unimpressed with my approach and gave off an air of haughtiness and indifference, but with a face like that, who's to blame her?




Monday 4 February 2013

Onwards with the second century of streetmogs

After a weekend off, it was back to the postman plodding and with the appearance of some much needed sunshine, work was actually a joy. Four more moggles crossed my path today and here are their stories:


Streetmog number: 101
Streetmog name: Chico
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Sofa cushion
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Chilled bean
Other: Chico was spotted through the side window and was clearly happy to do nothing more than stay indoors, warm and snug atop his sofa cushion. Half asleep and not bothered by, nor perhaps even aware of my existence, he looks like a dream of a mog.


Streetmog number: 102
Streetmog name: Alaska
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Middle of road
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Distant
Other: Alaska appeared two or three times but was definitely en-route to somewhere else entirely and wasn't in the mood to stop for a photo, let alone receive any fussing. This was a shame, as he was a beautiful all-white, the type of which I don't often meet. I hope to run into him again and get a better shot.



Streetmog number: 103
Streetmog name:
Actual name: Heidi
Favourite Location: Front garden, in sight of open front door
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Skittish petal
Other: It's lovely when I meet a mog's owner, get chatting and learn a bit about the latest addition to the collection. This timid beauty had previously been a stray and her owner explained that she was very wary of people, but that she'd grown used to and fond of the builder. Okay then! On her advice, I didn't try and approach Heidi for fear of scaring her (off). She seemed a very sweet thing indeed and it was great to meet both the mog and her owner.



Streetmog number: 104
Streetmog name: Pad Thai
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Front porch(es) with sights set on indoors
Preferred stroke: Neck rub
Character: Manipulative tease
Other: Pad Thai was a tremendous cat and made me grin with her amusing antics. Initially, I came across her on the front porch of what I assumed to be her house. After some head butting against the plants, she was happy to be fussed over, and then moved off. A few doors down, she appeared again, this time with an insistent miaow and much leg circling...at which point I realised that this second porch was actually her house and she wanted in. I always feel guilty when I can't open the door for the mogs. Anyway, Pad Thai seemed very contented and well looked after, and I'm sure she'd be inside and doted over very soon.