ON THE SHELF
It's been a quiet day today (well, as quiet as Matchgirl's continuing metamorphosis into a walrus allows) so the only thing to report is the latest on Bess's recovery.The finicky feline's reluctance to use her litter tray, set against an equal disinclination to brave the cold and damp in The Rural Retreat's garden, is a dilemma, but her appetite is healthy, particularly when cat junk food or roast chicken is on offer.Strength has returned to her leaping muscles, so reaching her shelf above the radiator is no longer a problem.

A SALE AT LAST
Today I sold my first photograph! Or, to be more accurate, Matchgirl did, as she was in charge of the stall at the time.Much of yesterday morning was spent at the now swine flu-free Snapper household where I printed three dozen 11x8in snaps on its fine Epson machine. The only drawback was that no Epson paper was available so I had to settle for Tesco Finest Super Glossy – and learned beyond doubt that top quality paper really does make a difference.The prints were acceptable but didn’t glow like they can when paper designed to be used with a particular machine and ink is used.Mounting operations occupied the afternoon, followed by backing, lab

PASS THE EARPLUGS
Life in The Rural Retreat has become very noisy.My recent illness came and went in an afternoon but poor Matchgirl still suffers more than a week after symptoms appeared. The sniffling and snuffling is over; in its place is a hacking cough that resembles the call of a love-lorn walrus in search of a mate.It's fortunate we don't live beside the sea or we'd have to fight off amorous pinnipeds every time we stepped outside the cottage.The alarming sound that reverberates inside the Retreat has had an effect outside its walls: The Invisible Pine Marten failed to take his free meal yesterday evening for the first time in many weeks, clearly worried about the m

BESS THE HYDROPHOBE
The recent weather has not been welcomed by Bess the Baldy Cat. The regrowth of her fur seems to have slowed, leaving a large expanse of mostly bare skin exposed to the elements.Much of her time today, Matchgirl reports, was spent waiting for the rain to stop so she could make use of The Rural Retreat's bushes rather than her litter tray. When she'd plucked up courage a few drops were all that were needed to send her scurrying back indoors to wash away the offending precipitation.The evening was also spent in an agony of indecision about whether to stay in or go out. Life can be tough for fastidious felines. I've suggested a plastic mac to keep her dry during outdoo

TOGETHER AGAIN
Bess was delighted to see us when we arrived at cat prison this morning, ready to free her from captivity. She meowed happily and ran to meet us, eager to return to The Rural Retreat.I jest, of course. She greeted us with a basilisk stare and remained immobile on the heated basket provided by an over-indulgent management. Matchgirl prised her from her throne with effort and put her into her carrier with even more effort. Back home, she was disinclined to eat until bribed with treats and chicken.She recovered her spirits later and even jumped on to her favoured winter resting place – the shelf above one of the living room radiators – for the first time sin