Teenage kitties

Mango and Biggles have reached their teenage years. They want to be out till all hours, sleep all day and chase birds at every opportunity.

This morning they were outside before dawn and it was just getting light when I heard a herd of elephants charging across the roof. Thinking that it might be hadedas or Egyptian geese, I went out onto the deck and stood on a rather insubstantial plastic chair (you all have one of those). I saw nothing as I peered over the edge of the gutter and so called, like the Crazy Cat Woman, "Bigggglesss!" Sure enough, a sleek black shape hove into view and leaned over to let me know it was him. He wasn't coming down anytime soon, and it was a matter of minutes before Mango, who had been having her breakfast munchies, shot outside into the back garden and shinned up the big Brazilian Pepper tree and onto the roof.

They proceeded to chase each other around the rooftop like a couple of hooligans and I left them to it, in the hopes that they would get bored and come down the tree again in search of food. About half an hour later all was quiet on the roof - at least we can be sure that no more pigeons will be breeding under the eaves! - and they were up the buddleia again. This time the thin branches couldn't cope and Biggles landed with a splash in the fountain below - I think the expression 'like a shot cat' would fit how quickly he removed himself from the water - and charged around in the undergrowth to dry off.

A long silence made us suspicious and K went outside to locate the terrible twins. Their adventures had extended to the neighbour's garden where chickens forage all day (there's also a rooster who starts up at 6am and probably will align his crowing with the dawn as we approach summer). Now that they have discovered a new place with exciting birds to chase, there's no knowing what they'll get up to next. They may have been a little intimidated, because they came jumping back over the fence as soon as we called, but once they are fully grown, who knows?

They have been asleep inside since 10.30 this morning after all that exercise, which doesn't bode well for a quiet night.