We had a big adventure today. A little background is needed; my love of Siamese cats was born in 1970, when I was five. My parents bought a male red-point, which they called Candle and he won our hearts overnight. He was a retriever, enjoyed riding in the car (loose) and adored a good trip out. Mum and dad took him to Richmond Park (where he chased red deer, years before Fenton the dog) and even the beach.

Knowing that some Siamese are just as intrepid as Candle and certain that Percy is the boldest kitten I have ever had, I took him on a 15-mile ride to visit my mum today. He was brilliant! He enjoyed having a new house to sniff, weed in his travelling litter tray and gave lots of affection to my mum, who he hadn’t yet met. Percy’s reward was a whole slice of poached salmon. We humans enjoyed a thoroughly retro game of Trivial Pursuit.

I don’t plan to take him to any parks, but am pondering which of my nearby friends would enjoy a visit from young Mr Percival.