(Amanda) Betty told me that today is a special day and I should with you all a Happy New Year. I feel very happy when I think about how Janet and I spent some time together yesterday. She is 15 years old now and has lived all her life at the allotments. I hope I see her again today.

(Amanda) I met Janet yesterday! We've only seen each other at a distance before so this was really special. I followed Colin to his plot and saw Janet outside her shed. We sat and watched each other and I had a good feeling about her. Betty said that this could be the beginning of our friendship!

(Amanda) Auntie Sammy has been looking after us while Betty and Colin went away for Christmas. She's been giving us lots of lovely food. I've eaten so much and I'm sure I've gained quite a few pounds. Betty says that it happens to lots of humans over Christmas. Did it happen to you?

(Janet) Betty thinks a miracle has happened - I've let Auntie Sammy stroke me! She is the only human apart from Betty and Colin who has ever done this. I liked being stroked by her, she is very gentle. One thing puzzles me, what are the red things on her hand? x.com/i/status/200...

(Amanda) Betty said I could choose the photo again and I found this lovely one of my friend Barbs. I was happy to see him again but also sad that he isn't here any more. He was such a lovely kind boy and I miss him a lot. He left without even saying goodbye. Why do you think he did that?

(Amanda & Janet) Betty iold us today is a special day and we should wish you all a very Happpy Christmas. I don't know what that means but maybe you do. She says I've got to include Maurine too. So HAPPY CHRISTMAS from all three of us. xxx

(Amanda) I want to share this photo of Robert today. I've heard so much about him and how he was so friendly with everone he met. This human came to visit us and even though he wasn't used to cats, he loved Robert. Robert had a special way of making strangers love him. I want to be more like Robert.

(Amanda) This is going to be exciting. Betty told me that she is letting me choose the photos for a few days - so here's my first one. I never met Dorothy but I think I would have liked her. Betty said that she had a mind of her own. I think I know what she means.

(Amanda) I can't make my mind up about Maurine. He's started coming into the veranda because Colin leaves food there for him. So far, he hasn't been close to me, just concentrates on the food. I remember how kind Barbs was when I first arrived here. I'm going to try to be like Barbs.

(Amanda) Betty said I'm pretending to be a meerkat in this photo. I don't even know what a meerkat is so how can I pretend to be one? It's quite difficult to understand humans sometimes.

(Maurine) When I wandered into the allotments I had no idea what it was going to be like. I've learned that if I sit and stare at the humans they will feed me. I think they feel sorry for me but they don't know I'm having more food now than I've ever had in my life.

(Amanda) This is a very weird-looking plant, isn't it? I think it's supposed to have lots of flowers but they are a bit slow this year. I think the humans like it but I much prefer the Nip plants that Betty grows for me. Which would you rather have?

(Amanda) Oh my word - it's my turn to be in one of Auntie Rachel's special photos today! Betty says she loves the way my face is 'in focus' but the background isn't. That doesn't make any sense to me but I suppose she knows what she's talking about. Ancient humans say weird things don't they?

(Janet) Auntie Rachel took this photo of me. It looks like I am sitting just in front of her but you know how shy I am and I only go close to Betty and Colin. Mind you, I am getting used to Auntie Rachel and I might let her stroke me one day. That would make a good photo, wouldn't it?

(Amanda) I want to tell you a scret but please promise you won't tell Betty or Colin. I've worked out that if I pretend that I'm starving when Auntie Sammy comes to see me then she will give me more food. I know Auntie Sammy loves to see me eating so I think I'm doing her a favour really.

(Janet) I'm waiting for Colin at the front of his plot. I sit there as soon as I hear his car coming. He loves to see me waiting for him. After he's fed me he stays and does work on his plot. I stay with him of course. I know he likes to have company and I enjoy it too.

(Amanda) I call this my 'Treat Table'. It's where the Dreamies and other treats are kept so it's very important to me. I like to jump up onto the table just to remind humans that I need my treats. I wish they were in a tub that didn't have a lid. That would make if so easy for me to help myself.

(Amanda) Colin has to put this netting stuff over some of his plants so the birds can't get to them. He told me that some big birds called pigeons will eat all the leaves if the plant isn't covered up. The only leaves I would eat are CatNip. Colin grows that especially for me so it doesn't matter.

(Amanda) I'm sorry but Betty wants me to show you how Colin prepares the squash he grows. I told her you won't be interested in this but I've agreed to share it to make her happy. She wants me to tell you that she cooks it in a thing called an 'Air Fryer' but I haven't got a clue what that is.

(Janet) I haven't seen Maurine lately and I'm glad about that. I know it sounds awful, but I don't really want to meet other cats, I like my own company best. As you know, I used to share Ken's shed with Gloria Glover until she left🌈. We used to ignore each other so there was never a problem.

(Amanda) Betty thinks I look very thoughtful in this photo. I haven't got a clue what that means. I don't think humans see things the same way that cats do. I think I always look the same. What do you think?

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(Amanda) Uncle Mick is becoming one of my favourite humans. He's never had a cat of his own. Betty and Colin have never had cats either but now they realise what they've been missing. I heard Betty say that I'm 'on a mission' to make humans into cat-loving humans. So far, it seems to be working.

(Amanda) The humans had a party yesterday. I stayed and watched them at the beginning but when it got very crowded I decided I'd had enough. Betty was happy with that, she said I did really well. I'm gradually getting used to seeing more and more humans. I might become like Robert and Barbs one day.

(Janet) Sometimes I go with Colin to the Memorial Garden. He often brings my food with him in case I feel hungry. Even if I don't feel hungry I eat it anyway just to make him happy. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing or not. What do you think?

(Amanda) I know that some humans think that S-Bs look uncomfortable but they don't know what they are missing. I've an idea! I want Betty to contact Amazon and ask them to sell human-size S-Bs. Once the humans try them they will never go back to old-fashioned soft beds again. What do you think?

(Maurine) Colin's stopped giving me food on Janet's plot. He knew she wasn't happy with me being there so he gives me food in the veranda now. This is as well as the food that Sammy and Andy give me on their plot so I'm not complaining. Amanda isn't shy like Janet and doesn't seem bothered about me.

(A) I thought you might like some 'Veranda News'. It's where I spend a lot of time in the cold weather. Some humans usually come in and make a drink for themselves. I don't mind sharing my veranda with them. Betty says allotments aren't just about gardening, they are places for making friends too.

(Janet) My life has changed so much recently. I love following Colin around and I go with him to the Memorial Garden too. I love my new greenhouse-home. I'm glad that Maurine doesn't come round since Sammy started feeding him on her plot.

(Amanda) What do you think of this photo? Betty says it makes me look a bit chunky. She says that Chunky is a friendly way of saying 'fat'. Does that make sense? I don't really mind either way. I'll carry on enjoying my food and I won't worry about being chunky (or fat)

(Janet) I'm really happy - my bed is in the greenhouse now! Colin gave me my breakfast there too. I like it much more than the shed. It's nice being able to see what's going on outside, I couldn't do that in the shed. I never imagined that my life would change so much, I'm really pleased it has.

(Janet) I'm doing new things since I moved to Colin's plot. It was raining so he did some work inside one of the greenhouses. I've never been inside a greenhouse before and I was surprised how warm it was. I liked it better than the shed and I hope that Colin puts my bed in there today.

(Maurine) I need some advice please? Since I moved to Sammy & Andy's plot they've been giving me 2 sachets of food for breakfast, same for supper. The problem is, Colin is doing that too! I don't want to upset anyone by not eating but 8 sachets a day might be too much. What can I do? Any ideas?

(Amanda) It's been quite cold here lately but when the sun comes out it's like a different world. Everything is so much brighter and the humans seem happier. Auntie Rachel took this photo of me while I was sun-bathing. It's funny how the weather has such an effect on us all, isn't it?

(Janet) Last week I told you that Auntie Rachel came to tidy up the Memorial Garden and I was getting used to seeing her. She came yesterday and look what she brought for me! I wasn't supposed to help myself but I took a chance before she put the lid back on.

(Amanda) I've made another new friend! Phil came into the veranda to have a coffee and I welcomed him by sitting on his lap. Betty told me that I'm coming out of my shell. I've never had a shell but I suppose she knows what she's talking about. I'm learning new things every day.

(Amanda) I'm making new friends every day. This human loves cats and came to say hello to me. His plot is next to where Maurine has moved to. Once Maurine gets used to humans I think he will enjoy having a fuss from him. I think the allotments are a good place to meet new humans.

(Maurine) I followed Colin to the veranda yesterday. He put some food down for me. Amanda was there and as soon as she saw me she jumped up onto a table so she could watch me. I don't know if we will ever be friends but at least she doesn't hiss at me. All I'm interested in at the moment is food.

(Janet) Colin's been giving me my meals behind my shed. The problem is that when he calls my name, Maurine comes too. Auntie Sammy is feeding him on her plot but he still wants to have extra food on my plot. I just can't get used to him. I'm not being anti-social am I?

I love going in Colin's car but I've never been in it when it's moving. I think he's a bit worried I would distract him. He's probably right! I noticed that Janet has been going for walks with Colin. I'd love to join them but I don't know if Janet would like that. What do you think, shall I try?

(Amanda) Uncle Andy came to see me in the veranda and made such a fuss of me! He loves cats and he knows how to make us happy. I've heard that Maurine, the new cat, has moved to his plot and is settling down well.

(Janet) This is a very rare photo. Auntie Rachel took it and apart from Betty and Colin she is the only human to ever come this close to me. She comes to tidy up the Memorial Garden every week. She seems very kind and I think I will get used to her. Maybe she will bring me some Dreamies next time.

(Janet) I think that moving to Colin's plot was a good idea. I keep him company in the Memorial Garden too. Colin talks to me while he's working and even though he rambles on a bit I still like listening to him. Sometimes he talks about his childhood in Sicily, I'll tell you about that another time.

(Maurine) I went inside the veranda yesterday - Amanda was there but she ignored me. I finished off her food for her. I hope these messages aren't too boring, I just wanted to let you know how I am.

(Maurine) I've settled down really well. Sammy put an igloo next to her greenhouse and I've been sleeping there at night. I think she will put it inside the shed soon. She gives me food there but I am still going to Janet's plot and eating there as well.

(Amanda) I don't know what's the matter with some humans. They want to have a plot so they can grow food to eat but then they don't do any work on it and all that grows is grass and weeds. It drives Betty mad. Would it drive you mad too? "Driving mad" is a funny expression isn't it?

(Amanda) I can't stop staring at Colin's hairy face. It hasn't always been like this. He used to shave it all off but now that he's ancient he just lets it grow. It's funny how the hair doesn't cover his whole face, like mine does.

(Janet) Since I moved to Colin's plot I've noticed different things. The Alexander Stadium is just behind the plot. I like to go through the fence and just sit and watch what's going on. I sit close to the fence so I can run back to the plot if I need to. Life is never boring here.

(Amanda) One of my Followers lives in Japan and she told Betty about a bad situation there. A lot of wild bears have started attacking humans. Everyone is very worried about it. Betty had never heard of this so she Googled it. It is very frightening. I wonder what can be done about it?

(Amanda) Auntie Pip came yesterday and took lots of photos of me. I like this one but I never realised I had such massive eyes! Betty says they are perfect and because I am such a nosey girl I never miss a thing. I don't know if being nosey is a good thing but she said I mustn't over-think it.