Cats I Loved in November & December

 

In October, actually on our Anniversary the 31st of October 2021, I officially (and finally!) got to start my volunteer placement at Cats Protection. I'd originally applied to volunteer in 2019, had my phone interviews etc and had a meeting booked to go into the centre in February 2020. We all know what happened then... Thankfully I was very lucky to hear back in September 2021 and although I hadn't left my house for over a year and a half at that point, I pushed myself to do this because it was such a special opportunity. 

My title is technically Cat Desensitization Volunteer and as of the start of this year, I have also been running our centre's Instagram. Once a week I get to go in and spend a few hours with the cats. I hug those that want to be hugged, play with those who want to play and just sit with those who may have some trauma or are timid to help 'desensitize' them and give them company. 

While in I also take photos and videos to use on the Instagram and/or website. Obviously, they also feature in my daily photo project as I want to remember every single cat I have the pleasure of meeting and loving. 
I did and didn't want to share the photos here but have decided that I'm going to share them with a 6-month delay as by that time they will all be re-homed and most have had their names changed etc. This is purely for my own memories, as with everything on this blog but I'm sure people won't mind getting to see photos of cute cats...?

Holly

 Mittens
Diana
Clarence

Woody, Hercules and Peter
John
Pepperoni, Clementine and Norman

Bear
Peter
Tux
Mowi

Peter,
Grace,
Rory
Oscar & Baby Girl

Sox
Baby
Tom
Henry

Jasmine and Sasha
Bob
Susie
Pedro and Greta

Of course, these photos were taken on my phone rather than my DSLR so they aren't the best quality. Some cats are fast and either want to run about or are all over me for kisses and hugs, so that makes taking photos a little more challenging too! But no matter what the photo looks like, believe me when I say every single cat is absolutely gorgeous. I tell each one ' I love you' when I leave and my heart always breaks to close the door behind me whether they are sitting cosy in their hide or clawing and meowing at the glass. 
This volunteer placement has become a huge part of my life and part of my weekly routine. I can't wait to continue my journey with Cats Protection and urge you to check out your local centre! 
Pop on over to Cats Protection | UK’s Largest Cat Welfare Charity to find the centre closest to you. Donate, shop online, buy from the centres' Amazon wishlist and most importantly ADOPT DON'T SHOP!!! Oh, and spay and neuter you're bloomin' pets. Rescue centres all over the country are really struggling right now and they all need your support.
Thanks!

Exploring Berwick Castle and Coronation Park

 

Over a month ago now, on the 13th of April, Mr H and I were back up in Berwick visiting my parents.
I love my hometown, I feel very strongly about it and celebrating its amazing beauty, history, wildlife and ruins. One of the original places I showed Mr H when he came to see me in Berwick for the first time was the riverside and Berwick Castle, so we decided on this day to go explore it again. 

It was a dry, mild day with a little bit of wind, though with those boring overcast white skies that make photos look a little less cool than when it's blue! 
We parked along by the Bell Tower outside of my old middle school and walked along towards the train station, down through Coronation Park, had a quick peek in the top part of the castle and then headed down towards the water and the rest of the castle. 

Fun fact - Coronation Park is actually the most northerly Park in England! It was first formed in 1937 after a tree was planted in the area to commemorate George VI's coronation. Not only is it home to beautiful flora and fauna, an array of wildlife and beautiful wooden sculpture trail, but it is also home to the 'Gallows Knowe' site. As you can probably guess this is where public hangings were performed right up until 1823. There is a plaque to mark the spot and memorialize the last person killed there - a woman by the name of Grace Griffin who had apparently murdered her domestically abusive partner. There was no proof that she was guilty.

I was surprised that it was a little busier than expected considering it was mid-morning, mid-week and not during any school holidays...but being a seaside town that does have a holiday park that opens in March, I guess it's inevitable! Still, I managed to take the photos strategically and managed to edit one or two people in the distance out haha. I don't like to have people in my photos for a number of reasons, including their privacy as well as how it looks for my memory books.
Anyway, enjoy the photos.

Berwick Castle is sadly now hugely ruined. Berwick railway station's platforms now stand where the great hall of the castle once stood after being demolished in 1847. Imagine how amazing it would have been had the station been put elsewhere and our town been home to such a huge part of history?
As the sign at the station says ''The station stands of the site of the great hall of Berwick Castle. Here on the 17th November 1292, the claim of Robert the Bruce to the crown of Scotland was declined and the decision in favour of John Baliol was given by King Edward I before the full parliament of England and a large gathering of the nobility and populace of both England and Scotland.''
Isn't that insane?! As I've said, Berwick has a rich history and has changed hands between England and Scotland more than 13 times! If you are interested in history more, I do recommend researching and reading up as it's very interesting.

The remaining parts of the castle that can be seen in the photos are the remains of the west wall. The top part is accessible by walking up a grass hill upon leaving the park and the other side of which can be seen from the platform of the railway station. 
The steep wall is known as 'Break Neck Stairs' is not accessible and is gated off but the bottom area, 'Water Tower' and 'Cells' can be walked through and climbed up onto safely. More information and helpful photos including aerial shots and layout maps can be seen on this website > Castles Forts Battles . 

I hope you enjoyed this post. It's been a while since I've put together an 'Exploring' post and hope to visit some more places in the months to come.

Check out some of my previous posts in this series here:

Exploring Duddo Stone Circle

Exploring the Abandoned Twizel Castle

Exploring Maelmin Heritage Trail

Exploring 'At the Hill of Goats' - Ad Gefrin