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Thursday 23 April 2009

The Vicar's back...


Six days with Grandchamp Community for a post-Easter retreat and your Vicar is relaxed and at peace with the world ... so make the most of the next day or two ...

In the meantime, I could show you some restful pictures of Swiss lakes and mountains, but instead here's a mystery. The full picture shows one of the houses where the sisters have their rooms. look closely (or click on the picture) and you'll spot something slightly unusual in on of those first floor, fifteen foot high windows.

Yes, it really is a catflap.

Suggestions in the comments please for the possible reasons why it's there, or even some outside-the-box ideas of what use a self-respecting convent cat might put it to.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Well now - it could be an exit for a sky diving pussy cat, or an abseilling moggie who has nicked the Sister's knitting wool - but I think it is actually the egress for
"Supercat", Heidi Meece, who would be "cat"upulted - miaoooooooow - out of the flap at a moment's notice to fly over the alps, summoned by some extra sense, to troubled places in the world, to investigate and report back to the Sisters who can intercede for them. Heidi discovered her super-unnatural skills when she was a wee kitten living in the mountains with Maria, her husband Captain Van Trap, and their troupe of children. After a few years Heidi grew tired of all the shennanigans and exuberant singing, and Maria noticing (by the way Heidi sat with her face to the wall, twitching her tail angrily), and suggested a change of scene. Heidi packed her turbo-fired boots (have you heard of "Puss in the Boots" reader? Some naughty Mayor of London's cat pinched her title)and other belongings in a check table cloth, borrowed from the kitchen, tied to a stick. Off she went with Maria to live with the dear Sisters in the village, Sister Elizabeth took her under her habit and she lived there in the blissful peace and quiet, fulfilling her "purr"pose. I hope she lives happily ever after. (Purrhaps).
Is this "out of the box" enough Ed?

Kevin Scott said...

Pat Lovegrove suggests that window ledge might represent the winter snow line. Could be; I've never been there in December to find out.

Mind you, the cat would need snow shoes of course ...

Anonymous said...

No, no, no ... It's not for something to get out. It's for something to get in.

This is where the famous Swiss division (miniatures) of the angelic host make their entrance to the convent. At least they used to, until they discovered that there had been just the smallest miscalculation which resulted in them arriving 100 metres off target. As soon as the mistake was realised, they readjusted and made their entrance through a skylight in the Chapel roof, which is where they come in to this very day...

Anonymous said...

I notice there is a tree or bush below that come the spring will have some unsuspecting birds nesting for our furry cat friend to erm ... make friends with !!
Just spoken to my cats and they said friends, nah!!catch more likely.

Anonymous said...

Will the mystery of the "cat flap"ever be solved Ed - do you know the answer?