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When the Cat's Away…

Catherine and Mark turning dreams into memories

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Tag: Rare

Posted on April 25, 2017January 12, 2019

Planning for the Big Lap

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About The Authors

Since meeting in early 1999 Catherine and Mark have progressively been exploring the world via land and water, maximising weekends and holidays to get off the beaten track. Over the years they have progressed from hike tent to camper trailer to caravan and motorhome, and Tassie the Burmese cat joins them on the adventure.

Our Insta-Updates

sparkysparkler

An Aussie-Brit traveller, blogger, artist, wine and outdoors lover sharing stuff she likes!

For Betty-Blue fans that have missed her the past For Betty-Blue fans that have missed her the past few months, here she is this morning, checking out her nest box, doing a bit of dusting (a Labyrinth Spider moved in over the summer and made quite a bit of mess with its web) and checking all is fine. If the weather gets colder/wetter/snowier it is likely she will spend a night in here. #somerset #autumn #bluetit
I installed a new #Greenfeathers nest box over the I installed a new #Greenfeathers nest box over the summer. These recent cooler days have finally encouraged our first brave visitor to check it out - a Blue Tit. I have a daylight sensitive light to install soon, and with any luck she will see it as a safe place to shelter over the winter, and hopefully raise a family in the spring. Hoping it is one of Betty-Blue’s chicks from this year. Betty still regularly visits her usual nest box to ensure there are no imposters…other than the odd tasty spider… #somerset #greenfeatherscamera #Autumn
A fun morning’s walk through the misty and autumna A fun morning’s walk through the misty and autumnal #blackdownhills with @mrandoman, Claire, Amber and Sue, with a 3/4 time cuppa and sausage bap for a brief dry off. Feeling so much more human than I was a month ago! #airwaystenosis #subglotticstenosis #iSGS
It’s a morning of #rainbows #scotland #timelapse It’s a morning of #rainbows #scotland #timelapse
What are we doing, getting on a ferry to Mull in 7 What are we doing, getting on a ferry to Mull in 70km/hr wind and rain??? #scotland #stormy #wind #waves
8.5 hours timelapsed into 35 seconds - a day in th 8.5 hours timelapsed into 35 seconds - a day in the life of sheep! A stunning day today, mostly sunshine and a shower mid-day. #sheepofinstagram #sheep #scotland #timelapse
The view from my window - looking out towards the The view from my window - looking out towards the Isles of Muck, Eigg and Skye #scotland #autumn #timelapse
We have only been in #Scotland three days but we h We have only been in #Scotland three days but we have had a superb time already. Two nights by #lochlomond then off to the wooly and Wild West coast. We still have a week enjoying these amazing views #autumn #wind #sun #rain #snow #hail
Aria had her third time out on her lead and harnes Aria had her third time out on her lead and harness. Spent an hour walking around the garden, pouncing on flies and chasing butterflies in between the showers. Cameo by her sister Trinity 🤎🩶 #burmese #asian #kittensofinstagram
Trinity and Aria absolutely love their cat-wheel! Trinity and Aria absolutely love their cat-wheel! Yes this is at double speed, but they can certainly run and as a result are two very muscular and fit kittens! They especially love to use it when they have an audience :-) #burmese #asian #fitcats #burmeseofinstagram #catsofinstagram
I can hardly believe it’s been 16 years since I sa I can hardly believe it’s been 16 years since I sat at my computer after work and clicked the “create group” button on Facebook. Until that moment, I’d been struggling alone with #airwaystenosis for five years — not knowing whether what I was feeling or experiencing was normal.

From that lonely little beginning, the group has grown to over 9,400 members, developed a strong scientific and research focus, and led to me being invited to conferences around the world to represent the patient perspective.

Yes, it has been hard work at times — the pay is non-existent, and I only get a day off when I have no signal! There have been stressful and disappointing moments, and we’ve sadly lost some members who have passed away from this disease. But above all, through this group I’ve met incredible women and dedicated medical professionals, and I wouldn’t give that up for anything.

🎉 Happy Birthday to the “Living with Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis” group.
We are truly breathing better together. 🩵 #idiopathicsubglotticstenosis #trachealstenosis #breathe #rarediseaseawareness #rarediseaseday
After more than 10 months of secret squirrel plann After more than 10 months of secret squirrel planning, the surprise 80th birthday weekend came off beautifully! Mum’s sister Pam and niece Karen joined us for an ABBA Voyage matinee and dinner in Covent Garden. Mum, Helen and I then enjoyed a lazy Sunday morning stroll through Regent’s Park to Camden for lunch before heading home. Brilliant work everyone in making it happen! @karen.dyse @its_all_sunshine_and_smiles @snappyjenny
Hummingbird Hawk Moth in our garden this morning # Hummingbird Hawk Moth in our garden this morning #moth #hummingbirdhawkmoth #somerset #autumn
Over too quickly! A beautiful weekend spent with m Over too quickly! A beautiful weekend spent with mum (@snappyjenny), Helen and Isabel (@its_all_sunshine_and_smiles). Lots of fun in the sun, including a trip to Lyme Regis with Julie (@juliepayne3148), Beth and Maisie, a Devonshire cream tea with @karencloute, @cloutedan and Sonny and Oliver. Lots of laughs over bocce, and finishing up with home made lemonade (thanks Izzy), and G&Ts. It’s all over much too soon. Hope it’s not another 12 months before you all visit again! #wearefamily❤️ #exhaustedkittens
Mani-pedi, blue skies and sunshine can only mean i Mani-pedi, blue skies and sunshine can only mean it is time to celebrate my cousin Karen’s 50th birthday! Woohoo! Yes her daughters make me look like a hobbit, but we had an incredible time with afternoon tea at the Ritz Hotel, followed by drinks, a little bit of Evita, and finishing off with a nightcap off Carnaby Street. A more subdued day today with a visit to my aunt for chats and cuddles. Amazing time! Thank you @karen.dyse, @han.maex, and @xoella19ox for your company and all the laughs! Making memories is what it’s all about!
If anyone has any problem snakes (especially if th If anyone has any problem snakes (especially if they are fluffy and blue and white striped) just call Aria #chocolateburmese #kitten #burmeseofinstagram #snakesinthehouse
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What are we doing here?

Rather than post everything on Facebook, we decided it would be better to capture our journey in one place - here we hope to share our photos, drawings and stories to bring you vicariously along with us on our adventure...

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