George and a Cat Called Baloo

Greetings dear Friends!

After spending a month travelling abroad, it is good to be home.

I am indebted to Bradley Millar and Jacqui Holmes for their interesting contributions to this blog.  I am truly grateful to them for their friendship, kindness and sense of fun.  Once again, thank you for your very meaningful contributions.

George and I were privileged to spend time in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

We got to meet and interact with some fine folk; and a highlight was showing George my Father’s village, Caledon in County Tyrone.  It is also my father’s resting place, we spent time walking around the cemetery. 

A very interesting turn of events transpired, making our trip very interesting and so worthwhile; in fact it was a highlight.

Bear with me.

Many years ago something mysterious and magical happened, a beautiful young Siamese cat made his way into National Ship Chandlers (then situated in North End).  My lovely husband adores cats, in my opinion he is a bit of a “cat whisperer”, as a result George and said teenager fell for each other – head over heels in love.

Everyday this chap turned up, walked straight to George’s office yowling (as only Siamese cats do) all the way, jumped on the desk and made himself very comfortable.   He certainly was the source of much curiosity and interest.  We tried to find his owners or even his home, to no avail -he was a street cat. 

We decided to call him Baloo.  Officially the office cat – he stayed with us and never left.

Baloo had his firm favourites, George being number one and Wayne was number two.  I did not even feature on that list, as I was the evil woman who took him to the vet to be neutered and to have his jabs. 

Several months after Baloo’s arrival, it was decided that National Ship Chandlers relocate to the Industrial Development Zone outside the Coega Harbour.

Baloo! What on earth were we going to do?  We live on Target Kloof; believe me not an ideal address for a cat.

I placed an appeal on Facebook, stating that we needed to relocate a lovely chap to a good home, prospective applicants would be interviewed and strict home checks would apply. 

Early the next morning I received a sweet message from a lovely young woman called Caitlin stating that she was very interested in Baloo and could she come and see him.  Caitlin and her father Clive came to our offices to visit Baloo. 

Baloo knew something was afoot and was not in the slightest bit interested in being friendly or polite.  They in turn contacted Fiona (wife and mother) to come and see this beautiful chap.  We all knew that this family was the right fit for our Baloo.  We visited his new home and were more than satisfied that Baloo was going to enjoy his new family.

We kept in touch with the Godfrey’s and occasionally we would pop in to visit Baloo.

Clive, Fiona, Caitlin and Duncan decided to emigrate to Ireland.

Guess what – Baloo and Fergus the beloved family dog went with them. 

Before Baloo and company left we got to spend some time with him, after all we wouldn’t get to see him again….

Whilst travelling around Ireland we received a wonderful invitation from the Godfrey’s.    “Come and visit us”.

We did just that, we drove from Dublin down south to Wicklow Town in County Wicklow to visit our boy and his family.  He is happy and according to Fiona still in charge of home and neighbourhood.  Everyone adores him including his new playmate, a beautiful black cat called Snape.  Baloo and Fergus still cuddle up on Clive and Fiona’s bed enjoying a little bit of sunshine.

Now there’s a thing from the streets of North End to Ireland.  The life of an interesting cat called Baloo.