Hi folks,
Although this isn't my first post I thought I better introduce myself properly. I leave in the Highlands of Scotland in a wee cottage and teach in the local rural high school. I left Glasgow University 2 and a half years ago after gaining my Masters in Clinical Parasitology. I then attended Edinburgh University for my Post-Graduate Diplomas in Education for Biology/Science and Music.
After my probationer year (still in Edinburgh) I was lucky enough to get a job up here in the highlands. It wasn't my first choice but teaching jobs in Biology are hugely scarce (only three came up last year nationwide) so I was lucky to get it.
Leaving all my friends and partner as well being used to busy flatshares for the last 7 years a wee estate cottage on my own with DREADFUL heating was a big change! It is soo cold, snowy and icy up here it is like being in a different country! I have gone from living in Scotland's two biggest cities to an area with a population of less than 10,000 and where everyone knows who I am. Being a teacher is even more challenging because I see my pupils and their parents ALL THE TIME!
Anyway, I decided to adopt a couple of cats last week from the local Cats Protection League to keep me company in these long, cold and dark days. I decided to get older cats because the house is so quiet, I work all day so I have no time (or energy) to train or play with them all the time and I thought I could offer a great retirement home to a couple of older cats. Very quiet, plenty of rabbits to hunt, 3 miles from the main road, huge garden surrounded by fields no stress.
Ziggy came on Friday. He is a little grey and white tabby. I think he might have feral ancestors because he has that typical big fluffy tail and mackerel striping of a Scottish feral. He is extremely friendly, is very content to eat three times a day, have a little constitutional up the stairs to the bedroom and back after mealtimes and sleep in his special cat doughnut which I have put on an easy chair.
He especially likes stretching out in front of the fire as I do my marking in the evenings. He has impeccable manners and will only approach you or jump up on the sofa next to you if he is invited and is very talkative.
I haven't got a second cat yet, I thought I better make sure I could have the first one settled in. Anyway, sorry for such a long message - nice to meet everybondy. What a wealth of knowledge and friendly approachable people on this board!
Although this isn't my first post I thought I better introduce myself properly. I leave in the Highlands of Scotland in a wee cottage and teach in the local rural high school. I left Glasgow University 2 and a half years ago after gaining my Masters in Clinical Parasitology. I then attended Edinburgh University for my Post-Graduate Diplomas in Education for Biology/Science and Music.
After my probationer year (still in Edinburgh) I was lucky enough to get a job up here in the highlands. It wasn't my first choice but teaching jobs in Biology are hugely scarce (only three came up last year nationwide) so I was lucky to get it.
Leaving all my friends and partner as well being used to busy flatshares for the last 7 years a wee estate cottage on my own with DREADFUL heating was a big change! It is soo cold, snowy and icy up here it is like being in a different country! I have gone from living in Scotland's two biggest cities to an area with a population of less than 10,000 and where everyone knows who I am. Being a teacher is even more challenging because I see my pupils and their parents ALL THE TIME!
Anyway, I decided to adopt a couple of cats last week from the local Cats Protection League to keep me company in these long, cold and dark days. I decided to get older cats because the house is so quiet, I work all day so I have no time (or energy) to train or play with them all the time and I thought I could offer a great retirement home to a couple of older cats. Very quiet, plenty of rabbits to hunt, 3 miles from the main road, huge garden surrounded by fields no stress.
Ziggy came on Friday. He is a little grey and white tabby. I think he might have feral ancestors because he has that typical big fluffy tail and mackerel striping of a Scottish feral. He is extremely friendly, is very content to eat three times a day, have a little constitutional up the stairs to the bedroom and back after mealtimes and sleep in his special cat doughnut which I have put on an easy chair.
He especially likes stretching out in front of the fire as I do my marking in the evenings. He has impeccable manners and will only approach you or jump up on the sofa next to you if he is invited and is very talkative.
I haven't got a second cat yet, I thought I better make sure I could have the first one settled in. Anyway, sorry for such a long message - nice to meet everybondy. What a wealth of knowledge and friendly approachable people on this board!
