First Day Niggles

When it comes to Galahad and Co, chivalry is in short supply...

- Chris Pascoe

Readers of last week's column may remember me wittering on about being appointed to look after seven Maine Coon cats - divided into two warring factions and four semi-strays, in the beautiful Vosges De Nord National Park in France. Well, upon our arrival at their four-bedroom house, nestling in a forest, we were met in the drive by Gawain and Galahad (cats, not knights, by the way).

Not for the first time, I was utterly taken aback by the sheer size of Maine Coons - those tough Desperate Dan jaws, those huge paws and pixie-pointed ears.

It was one of this pair, the ginger-Galahad, who'd managed to break a rival's leg with one powerful bite. As he looked very capable of breaking my legs, too, I stroked him with courtesy.