Chatran el jengibre

Just the one cat for the weekend, a rather nervy ginger who didn't hang around for long. As the wonderful spring weather continues to establish itself, I expect to be meeting and greeting many more mogs. Thanks to some fabulous suggestions on Twitter, I'm confident that they'll each be receiving some original and sometimes quite silly streetmog names...

Streetmog number: 155
Streetmog name: Chatran
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Atop brick wall
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Scaredy kit
Other: Chatran (origin of name being a ginger kitty from a Japanese movie) just sat and stared at us, as we sat and stared at him from our van. Just as the initial 'banker' photo was taken, he dropped down below the wall and was not to be seen again. Oh well, we had our fill yesterday.

Once again, I met a cat from a previous post and, as is often the case, I recognised it but decided to take some pics as I was (obviously) going to say hello anyway. Here is Misty, from a blog post back in October, and on reading my words from then she is most definitely the same cat - extremely quick, never sitting still and more than a little bit naughty.

But if you're thinkin 'bout my baby it don't matter if you're black or white

More black & white cats on the prowl today. They're definitely the most common type around these parts, perhaps around others too, but this doesn't mean that they're any less appreciated than a gorgeous Persian or a stunning Bengal. Mogs are mogs are mogs, and we love them all. Oh, and I ran into Stoker (see yesterday's post) for the third time today; I also got to meet her owner and learned the cat's name - she's Saffron and she has a sister who I'll meet another day. Apparently the neighbours have a beautiful cat too. This one particular street is a mecca for mogs!

Streetmog number: 152
Streetmog name: Bernard
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Street & pavement, or in company
Preferred stroke: Everything he can get
Character: Loveable tyke
Other: Bernard was an absolute hoot, entertaining my colleague and I with his incessant and loud miaowing and his propensity to follow us up and down (and across) the street. He was a persistent puss; if he'd had his own way he'd have probably jumped in the van with us to spend the day. In the end, I couldn't resist picking him up for a proper cuddle and decided it was time for a daft-postie-with-mog shot.

  

Bernard in full song. Maybe he wasn't happy that I'd parked on a double yellow.

Streetmog number: 153
Streetmog name: Leopold
Actual name:
Favourite location: Various ledges/out of harm's reach
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Nervy
Other: Leo was watching all the fuss over Bernard from the safety of his lofty window sill. Of course, I attempted to get closer to befriend this lovely fellow but he would never let me get too close, retreating to another ledge or hiding behind the bushes. I didn't want to upset him (and had work to do!) so I left it at that.

Streetmog number: 154
Streetmog name:
Actual name: Rosie
Favourite Location: Street tree/close to front door and/or owner
Preferred stroke: Back rub
Character: Wise old girl
Other: I spotted what I thought was a puss but wasn't sure until I got closer to the tree. A strange place for a mog to nestle, but there she was, this beautiful old girl, relaxing at the base of a tree. Her owner was right there so we had a nice chat. It turns out that Rosie is 16 years old and rarely strays far from the house (this is about as far as she goes) and is not that keen on strangers. Guess I've got the postman cat touch as she was happy to be fussed over for a bit!

Where The Streets Have No Name

Today was a memorable day in the brief history of Streetmogs and my time as a postie. Firstly, we bid farewell to a thoroughly decent bloke and a top rate (and surely the fastest and most efficient in the land) postman: Ian, old chap, you'll be missed. First we were the famous five, then the fantastic four, then the three amigos, and now it's down to the two G's to sort Wimbledon D.O. out on a daily basis. Good luck mate, it was a pleasure working with you. Fittingly, the cats were out in force to say goodbye to our colleague. In all, seven kitties crossed our path today and we passed the 150 cat count. Five will be immortalised in the streetmogs hall of fame, one kept his distance and so avoided the camera and one turned out to an old friend. Enjoy the surfeit of mogs, loyal streetmog followers!

Streetmog number: 147
Streetmog name: Ian
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Under a black cab
Preferred stroke: Chin rub
Character: Nosey
Other: Ian reflected the character of his namesake as he moved around quickly and was hard to get hold of. We first spotted him sitting under the back bumper of a taxi. Not the safest place, Ian. Half an hour later, as we were greeting two more mogs, he turned up on a wall. He was keen to find out what was going on and was pretty partial to some fussing.

Streetmog number: 148
Streetmog name: Goatie
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Garden walls & paths (not necessarily his own)
Preferred stroke: Head scrunch
Character: Intrigued
Other: Goatie (check out the black marking under his chin) was a fabulous cat, all tails told. He initially appeared from behind a wooden fence and seemed to be a timid sort. However, he soon realised that I was friendly and came closer for some petting. A little later, when I'd moved on down the road, he reappeared with a very loud miaow and a definite appeal for some more attention. Of course, he got some.

    


Streetmog number: 149
Streetmog name: Babaganoosh
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Outdoor table
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Distant
Other: Babaganoosh was a lovely looking kitteh and I would have liked to have got closer to ruffle that splendid mane of hers, but she seemed very wary and I sensed she'd bolt if I tried. She was afraid of Mr Postman, but was not in the least bit bothered by the train that rattled past at the foot of her garden, a few moments later. I suppose she's used to it. Bless both her coyness and bravery.

Streetmog number: 150
Streetmog name: Reginald
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Door mat (wanting in)
Preferred stroke: Ear tickle
Character: Weary & slightly wary
Other: Oh, Reginald, you gorgeous old bony bear. This chap has had a good innings and was certainly looking his age, but he was beautiful in appearance and nature. He could barely get himself up off the door mat but get up he did, and some good fussing ensued. If he could talk I'm sure he'd have some great stories to tell and he is, aptly, the 150th streetmog.

Streetmog number: 151
Streetmog name: Peppermint
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Shrub
Preferred stroke: Nose rub
Character: Chilled
Other: Peppermint was spotted by my colleague Glen and I just had to back-track to catch up with her. She was a vocal thing, and very sweet to boot. At first she preferred to interact from behind the fence but she soon jumped up to say hello and was quite happy to get some attention from not one but two postmen.

And finally...

When I saw this beautiful cat I was pretty sure we'd met before and sure enough, it was Stoker, mog no. 74. This time she was happy to entertain herself in the wonderful spring sunshine.

Blue sky grey cat

Back on the plod today after a couple of wonderful soul-restoring days in the Lake District. I was glad to be back up on the lovely Wimbledon Common - the sun was out, the temperature was up, the mail bag wasn't too heavy, the van radio was playing some good tunes, and life felt decent. Two kids on scooters yelled out "Hello postman pat" to me as I drove past, and I even saw Boris Becker. Next time I'll ask him if he owns a cat and if he'd like it featured on the blog - it could be the first celebrity streetmog.

Streetmog number: 146
Streetmog name: Old Copper Eyes
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Flower pots
Preferred stroke: Tummy tickle
Character: Strumpet
Other: This beautiful British Shorthair (I'm developing a mild thirst for some basic cat breed knowledge) appeared from behind a garden fence and proved to be a wonderfully friendly and affectionate mog. He had such a loving disposition and wasted no time in hitting the tarmac in search of a serious tummy rub, which I duly administered. A stunning kitty. I covet him.

Mary, Mungo and Midge

It seems like an age since I last posted but here are three more streetmogs, two taking refuge from the damp & continually crappy weather and one being more adventurous by hanging around outside. No more blogs or indeed mogs for a few days as it's off to my favourite part of the world, The Lake District, for some fresh air, wondrous fell walking and perhaps the odd pint or two. See you in spring time!

Streetmog number: 143
Streetmog name: Mary
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Front yard
Preferred stroke: Under chin scruncher
Character: Sweetie pie
Other: Mary was a real boon, a kitty tonic, a fluffy fillip during what was a pretty long and tough day of trudging. She seemed to live in a dwelling that wasn't, shall I say, well maintained and on first look she seemed a little ragged herself. However, on closer inspection she was clearly in good health and was nothing less than a beautiful cat in terms of both appearance and character. There ensued a whole lot of lovely fussing.

Streetmog number: 144
Streetmog name: Mungo
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window sill
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Intrigued
Other: A new street, which is rare these days, and with it the discovery of this fabulous feline, who was pacing up and down the window sill and showing great interest in the silly man in bright orange coat who was in turn taking great interest in her. Mutual interest, then. A gorgeous moggle for sure, and one I'd like to meet and greet outside. Perhaps one day soon, Mungo.

Streetmog number: 145
Streetmog name: Midge
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Sofa cushion
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Indifferent
Other: Midge was the epitome of cat contentment, and I felt guilty interrupting his snooze. He didn't seem bothered by my appearing at the window, merely stretching out a paw and going back to the land of nod. Lucky mog.

Tiger Lily

Over a week since a blog update, over a week since a new streetmog. Mog times is hard. The weather remains simply awful. Spring might be around the corner but it feels like it might never arrive. I've had enough of wind and horizontal snow showers. It's April, FFS! The kittehs aren't that happy about it either. Come on spring, show yourself, the Brit humans and cats are so done with this winter!

Streetmog number: 142
Streetmog name: Tiger Lily
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Paving
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Wary
Other: It was a boon to see a mog after the recent barren stretch and this beautiful tabby was a sweetener to the bitter wind and sleet that plagued our day. She seemed friendly, and I thought she'd be up for some fussing but as I got close she moved away. With the abject conditions not lending themselves to hanging around, I accepted my lot, left her in peace, snapped a pic or two and went on my way. I hope someone let Tiger Lily in soon, as she seemed pretty fed up to be stuck outside.

Quatre black chats

It was one of those days when I wasn't really expecting to see any streetmogs and then, like buses (but certainly not trains) they all came at once. All four felines were spotted during a purple patch of about 15 minutes. The fact that the three black ones looked so alike was a tad disconcerting but they were spotted in different places and so were most definitely different mogs.

Streetmog number: 138
Streetmog name: Phantom
Actual name:
Favourite Location: car park
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Flighty
Other: Phantom was the first of three remarkably similar black mogs and I admit that it's getting hard to name them. This chap appeared while I was sat in the little red van just after a parcel drop and he stared at me for a moment before heading away. There was no way he was going to hang around and wait for me to get out for a closer look so I grabbed my chance, and photo, from the warm interior of said van.

Streetmog number: 139
Streetmog name: Boss
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window sill
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Winsome
Other: Boss appeared a little boss-eyed which made him all the more endearing. Usually, when approaching an indoors cat, I am met with surprise, stillness and indifference. This handsome fellow was happy to move sills to get closer and say hello, however, and his loud miaow was audible through the window. I think he was hoping that I was owner-arrived-home and that feeding time was upon him. Sorry Boss, you'll have to wait for your munchies.

Streetmog number: 140

Streetmog name: Elvira
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Crazy paving
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Explorer
Other: Elvira was a beautiful, shaggy and rotund puss. She was blissfully unaware of my presence as she sniffed around the front garden. I did try and beckon her over but she was having none of it. Not really a day for sociable mogs. I think they've been house-ridden due to the foul weather and as such have far more important things to do than interact with a daft postman.

Streetmog number: 141
Streetmog name: Velvetine
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Indoors, if possible
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Impatient
Other: Velvetine was extremely affectionate and persistent with her leg weaving and head butts, but I accept that this was only because she was keen to get inside. After a quick but of fussing, Mrs Owner answered the door to get her parcel, the mog shot in, and that was that. I didn't strike up a conversation, ask her real name, nor even admit to having taken some photos, as Mrs Owner was on the phone at the time.