Ring Out, Wild Bells! As 2025 approaches, the Excellent Cats raise their game with a discussion on Tennyson's poetry

[TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne]

And while the cats are thus engaged, their human slaves are still finishing the turkey and Christmas pud, and idly placing bets on whether or not Kitty will use her new cat tree.

I'm making the obligatory turkey curry tonight.

Thanks for the new thread!

I’ll update as soon as either

a) Kitty uses the cat tree

b) Awoken by a loud crash, I come dashing in to find it on the floor

We'll need some pictures of all these eventualities.

Herbie is here, awaiting discussions about the lady of shallot and charge of the light brigade!
I am here to see if Kitty uses her cat tree!

Who remembers the Jennings book which featured Ring Out, Wild Bells?

It was in According to Jennings but I can't remember what happened.

They’d bought Old Wilkie an alarm clock (can’t remember why) and hidden it in a cupboard to present to him at the end of the English lesson.

Wilkie was talking about Ring Out, Wild Bells and the alarm went off.

Placemarking to see if Kitty likes her new tree. I suspect she will once she realises how close it is to all that lovely heat rising out of the nearby radiator 😂

I think I have another hungry stray visiting. This will be stray number five. Fortunately Stray number four isn't fighting Stray number five and has even passed him in the doorway without a hiss or flat ears. However they do look remarkably alike in their markings 😧 Stray number three was also extremely similar to Stray number four. Twins almost.

And he uttered the immortal line

"Who's ringing out that wild bell?!"

YES!

I LOVE those books!

Oh well done, Kitty!

You owe me £1010 in lost winnings BTW

Which one had Break, Break, Break in it? More Tennyson.

Wasn't it used as a lyric in a Jethro Tull track as well. ?

The one with the comps - handwriting & poetry composition. Venables wrote Break, break, break out for the handwriting one but they thought he’d stolen Alfred’s works.

I should have taken you up on that, shouldn’t I?

I used to love the Jennings books! It's half a century since I've read any so the story lines are rather hazy.

Our furry ones have been doing sterling service sleeping while we've been out with season flu. It's always good to have company.

Thanks for the new thread @TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne - since Shell is no longer here I did wonder who would start this.
I'm afraid I don't have much time for poetry - When cats run home I just tend to devote my time to them.

I think Matron had a cat but it didn’t feature in the stories much.

Are you feeling better, @Igmum?

Much more clear headed thank you @EmpressaurusKitty just building up strength (currently with the assistance of DBoyCat)

It was very yum!
There's enough to freeze for another night.

@EmpressaurusKitty that first photo makes it look like she's wearing a stripey onesie or pyjamas.

I'm afraid I don't have much time for poetry - When cats run home I just tend to devote my time to them

I just knew that Grumpy would write something jolly clever!
Impressive!

Very impressive @EmpressaurusKitty 😁

I haven't read a Jennings and Darbishire book in 50 odd years either.

I knew you'd spot it. 🤣

I'm glad you're feeling better @Igmum