The shaky video is down to my nerves I’m afraid, but it is a recording of Not Cat’s first steps on the gunwhale. He was very cautious. Too cautious perhaps. More likely to lose his balance through indecision. Later, in the early hours, we both watched one of the feral cats showing us how it’s done. She leapt confidently onto das Boot from the path, peered inside and when she realised she was being watched in return, leapt equally confidently onto the pontoon and disappeared into the night.
Still, I’m proud of my boy, and I’m looking forward to documenting his progress, but I think we might wait until the spring to let him really explore.
Isobel (and Cat)'s Blog 
Lovely – he looks like he’s being very careful (bravo!) – nice sunny day for the two of you to spend together on das Boot too!
Pam
Yes he was. My heart was in my mouth several times. I nearly dropped the camera once. I’d love to know how he’s processing what he’s seen and learned.
That was a very cautious boy – his eyes looked haunted at one point. It looks like he’s showing a flehmen response sniffing the pebbles (?) at the beginning. Lots of new smells for him!
Just make sure you’ve got your camera on a strap round your neck next time – at least if you drop it, it won’t go far 😀
He does that a lot. I think of it as his gormless look. They are conkers by the way; supposed to discourage spiders. Not that you’d notice.
I think he was torn between curiosity and fear. If fear means he’s happy to stay inside the boat, I shall fewer worries about his safety. But as he was scared of the stairs at home to start with, I am guessing this fear will pass.
Flehmen response; I live and learn.
Glad to be of service in your continuing education 😀
Perhaps we should have a word of the week slot.
What a brave kitty!
What was that lovely music, Isobel?!!
–Laurel
It’s Eclipse Indigo from conversations in Jazz by Armando Sciascia Big Band. Glad you like it.
Thank you. I shall look that up.
He did really well. He seems a little befuddled by the movement of the boat and at one point early in the video I thought the mooring line was going to give him a good jerk as it tightened up. But it just lightly bumped. My heart skipped a beat when he came out the window and made a left and tentatively made his way to the bow of the boat! I thought he was a bit skeptical about the bumper/fender too. Don’t know what you call them there. We always called them “rubber baby buggy bumpers” 🙂 das Boot is very cool Isobel, nice boat. You lucky woman!
I think the bow was a mistake. He looked very worried indeed there. I feel much the same – there’s nothing to hold onto! I should like a pulpit. and a pushpit would be nice too. Also a ladder. We call them fenders here too.
Mine need a good wash!
Glad you like das Boot. She’s a Hampton Safari, designed for the Norfolk Broads. The Morris Minor of the boating world.
http://www.shorebase.co.uk/boating/HamptonBoats/hamptonboats.asp
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=morris+minor&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK326&biw=1024&bih=593&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnso&tbnid=Lmq_aqJpe7NJ2M:&imgrefurl=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/8236614/The-Morris-Minor-A-British-miracle.html&docid=yf7F7bvCznh4qM&imgurl=http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01795/morris-minor1-fron_1795826b.jpg&w=620&h=388&ei=Y2GtTsP7JsO98gPyh9zCCw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=701&vpy=319&dur=3365&hovh=177&hovw=284&tx=184&ty=194&sig=101883511283078455283&page=1&tbnh=92&tbnw=147&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0
Thoroughly enjoyed the links Isobel. Wasn’t familiar with a Hampton Safari or a Morris Minor. That’s why it’s so much fun meeting people on the internet. Opens up my world!
🙂
Morris Minors are iconic cars here. You still see them sometimes on the roads.
New boats for the Broads are very swish and very expensive, but i think the Safaris look like little boats you’d have in the bath!