Ghengis goes missing . . .

 I didn't get much sleep last night.  There was a flurry of phone calls late afternoon/early evening, and I wasn't on the ball when it came to which of the old boys were in or out.  The forecast was not encouraging, and NOT a good night for cats to be out.  Then when I came to go to bed, I did a head count and found that Ghengis was nowhere to be seen.  I checked the entire house several times, but no sign of him.  I turned the outside light on and called him.  Nothing.  I put a jacket and outdoor shoes on and went to check under the car, in the middle stable (gardening shed now) as the door was left ajar and then in the end cart stable, which had been open all afternoon whilst I charged the mobility scooter.  No luck.

I went to bed and tried to sleep, but of course sleep eluded me.  My brain persuaded me it heard miowing around 1.30 a.m. so I put on my dressing gown and slippers and came downstairs.  No Ghengis.  I put outdoor shoes on, a thick jacket and my trusty torch and I went out to check the yard again.  I thought I would have one more look in the cart shed stable, just to make sure and when I shone the torch right to the back of the stable, a pair of gleaming eyes were revealed.  One little old stripey Bagpuss cat, snug and warm on some old curtains covering a chair.  Was I glad to see him!! I brought him in and he told me in no uncertain terms that he had Been Abandoned and Locked In, and needed feeding to recover from his ordeal.  Then of course everyone had to be fed!

I was still awake at 3 a.m., as other worries on my mind, and I am so shattered this morning I still can't face last night's washing up.  Ah well, it won't go away.  I'm getting quite fed up with being tested though - just want Keith and I to rest and mend.