After a blustery night on Sicily the weather cleared yesterday morning and we got the news that the ferry was on its way. We crossed to Malta late last night and all our passengers arrived in fine fettle.
We delivered Ophelia to Alice in Marsakala, a pretty port to the south of Malta. Courier M says he’ll miss this beautiful and calm cat, who was completely unfazed by her reptilian companions.
A pair of inseparable Map Turtle sisters. The contour-line markings on their neck give them their name. These two were formerly known as Michelangelo and Donatello, but were renamed Michael and Donna when they were found to be girls. Their previous owner kept them in a bucket with no filter, and when he got fed up with them he offered them for free on Gumtree. Gerry, a member of Turtle Rescue UK, took them on and their quality of life has improved no end. Many of her reptile family are rescues who were abandoned or living in poor conditions. Gerry knows her limits, however, and won’t be taking on any more!
Juliet, Cleopatra and Eloise, three Musk Turtles named after famous lovers as their former male companion was a very active fellow. They hail from North America and are so named because they emit a noxious musky smell when threatened, in the hope of seeming less palatable to predators than other items on the menu.
A selection of axolotls. They look like tadpoles that are almost ready to become frogs. They have legs and a tail but breathe through gills. In a crisis, such as a pond drying out, they can transform into air-breathing creatures but don’t last long in that state. They originate in Mexico where they live in cold lakes fed by mountain snow melt. But they’re very sensitive to pollution and so are almost extinct in the wild. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about them is that they can regrow injured or severed body parts. Two of Gerry’s collection were taken off their original owner by his sister who was disgusted that he didn’t clean or feed them properly. When Gerry got them one had eaten all the limbs of the other one, but they grew back perfectly. (Don’t try this at home, kids!)
Australian Snake-necked Turtle Sanka. They hunt by lying in mud at the bottom of a lake, sensing small creatures in the mud using their barbels, or spotting their food visually. They strike with astonishing speed, much like a snake. They choose prey they can swallow whole as they can’t chew (a bit like most teenagers).
Oh man what beautiful rainbow.
Looks like the turtles are enjoying the chance to stretch their legs.
Ophelia is a cutie, and love the photo of her napping.
Safe travels.
Everyone was very relieved to see that rainbow. The turtles were very happy having a romp around.
Oh gee this is a good post. So interesting and educational. Loved seeing the family of black and white cats. Gorgeous cats. And the gray cat was apparently tuckered out since he went to sleep almost immediately after his arrival at his new home. Probably worn out from keeping an eye on those reptiles. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the post. Courier M learnt a lot about all of Gerry’s exotic pet species! Ophelia took her responsibilities seriously 😉
Awww, Ophelia is soooo cute! 🙂 xx
Yes, we’re rather partial to grey pussy cats too 😉
That number plate would be just the thing for me. The map turtles are very pretty.
You’d find it out of date once the knee is fixed. The map turtles are striking.
Beautiful passengers! All of them! Ophelia looks happy to be home with Alice. Nothing like a good nap at the end of a trip!
Ophelia was probably jolly tired as she did keep an eye on everyone throughout the journey 😉
Glad everyone is safe.
It was a big journey for such a huge collection and a relief for them to be home, and not moving anywhere much again.
I really like those map turtles for some reason I don’t understand as normally reptiles don’t do much for me….. I like my pets to have fur 🙂 Ophelia is a beautiful name for a beautiful cat – now I’m thinking I need another kitty who must be called Ophelia, but I don’t think Orlando would be too pleased ….
Courier M learnt so much from the trip as did we all. Turtles are incredibly varied and actually rather entertaining. Ophelia is a super name (and super cat). Orlando might like a cat ally in his new life sharing with a pup 😉
Glad everyone arrived safety. Great pictures
It was a huge group to travel with and a relief to arrive at their final destination with everyone safe and happy.
She slept on my pillow all night and has demanded constant cuddles when she has been awake. I was amazed at how calm and unfazed she was when I got her home- a testament to the great job Julia and Martin have done. My cat has been in more European countries than I have!
Good work guys and would recommend to anyone.
Thanks Alice – delighted to hear she settled so quickly. Ophelia was a wonderful travelling companion and Gerry rather fell for her! Good luck in your new lives.
I think that rainbow was a good omen
That’s exactly what our intrepid travellers took it for.
If I get my own car, I want such a number plate, that’s for sure :o)
Ophelia reminds me so much of Savannah, I love their russian blue fur :o)
Wonder how many times it gets pinched? 😉 We adore that gorgeous fur too!
Can I feature this in the local press? Email me pls leaahogg@gmail.com or private message me on fb me Lea Hogg 🙂
Hope you heard from Julia about this?
No I have not 🙂
She was in the middle of a trip when you wrote. Will try and chivvy her.
Love this post!
Thought you might 😉
So cool! Very interesting too. Thanks for sharing.
Hey, we all learn new things every day!
Yes, courier M and the rest of us learnt a lot too 🙂
I’ve never seen Map Turtles before – they’re very pretty!
We loved them too – can really see where they got their name from.
Gerry is quite the rescuer 🙂 Ophelia is gorgeous and looks like she had no problem settling in 🙂
Gerry certainly is! Ophelia kept herself so busy on the journey it doesn’t surprise us one bit that she’d need a good snooze when she arrived at her new home 😀
Thanks to Martin’s excellent driving and Julia’s great organisation and planning, the journey from UK to Malta went very smoothly without a hitch -apart from the weather! The animals coped well, better than I thought they would. Even my catfish and axolotls were unfazed by the journey.
All my turtles and tortoises have settled down quickly in their new home and are making the most of the unseasonably warm weather here -20′ in November! They enjoy basking in the sun for hours next to my huge south facing picture windows. Snails are well too.
Lovely to see Ophelia reunited with her loving owner-she ‘s a beautiful cat and I got very attached to her on the journey to Malta (lots of tickles and cuddles on rest stops)
Thanks Gerry – delighted to hear from you and to know that your bunch has settled well into their new home. It was such an interesting trip for us and Ophelia 😉 Good luck to you all in your new lives – enjoy beautiful Malta!