We used to have a farm cat, well many actually but this one had stacks of character. I’m not a cat person but if I had one it would have been this one.
I was reminded recently, during a chat about the hazards of plum picking during wasp season. That this cat used to often follow me into one of our orchards, wait for me to climb the ladder. It would then climb into the tree and every time I put my hand out to thin the fruit it would claw at the fruit or my hand or both. It was playing, not being malicious but it made the job very difficult. I mean fruit thinning isn’t my favourite job by any means so I do like to get it done ASAP!
On the other hand, he also used to follow me from tree to tree and just sit there. Similar to Robins. It’s a lonely job at times and I really appreciated it….just not the moments of bravery I felt I had to clothe myself with every time I dared to thin the plums!
The Grounded Orchardist 
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