You may remember that late last year, two cats belonging to Fanny travelled with us from Lyon to Lisbon, on the last leg of their journey all the way from Canada. Fanny’s Portuguese home has lots of open space and wonderful view of the sea — perfect for any puss.

Now two more of Fanny’s cats have reached Europe — Noir and Miss — and are making the same journey with us from France to Portugal. We got Noir on board fairly easily, but with Miss it was quite another story…

Noir enjoying an afternoon nap in a shady spot when we arrived at the cattery where these two have been staying since they touched down

Noir enjoying an afternoon nap in a shady spot when we arrived at the cattery where these two have been staying since they touched down

Lovely corner Noir had found for himself — the perfect place to relax

Lovely corner Noir had found for himself — the perfect place to relax

Noir was reasonably cooperative about being scooped up into a cat box to transfer to our van

Noir was reasonably cooperative about being scooped up into a cat box to transfer to our van

Very sweet and pretty Miss enjoyed a goodbye cuddle with one of the cattery assistants

Very sweet and pretty Miss enjoyed a goodbye cuddle with one of the cattery assistants

She also let us tickle her neck and head — but a dramatic change took place when she caught sight of the cat box…

She also let us tickle her neck and head — but a dramatic change took place when she caught sight of the cat box…

…and decided to make a break for it, leaping up onto the roof of the cattery unit, courier M in hot pursuit

…and decided to make a break for it, leaping up onto the roof of the cattery unit, courier M in hot pursuit

A game of tag ensued, with Miss as 'it' and courier M darting back and forth. This round of three-dimensional chess eventually came to an end when Miss, perhaps tiring of the game despite the tactical advantage she had maintained throughout, left her rooftop refuge and dropped to the floor. As she made to clamber up the wire sides of the cat unit, courier M pounced.

A game of tag ensued, with Miss as ‘it’ and courier M darting back and forth. This round of three-dimensional chess eventually came to an end when Miss, perhaps tiring of the game despite the tactical advantage she had maintained throughout, left her rooftop refuge and dropped to the floor. As she made to clamber up the wire sides of the cat unit, courier M pounced.