When we went to the Queensland Garden Expo we stayed overnight at Airbnb accommodation before going on to Maleny. There we had the pleasure to meet Sooty, a 17-year-old Norwegian Forest cat with the softest fluffiest fur. He joined us on the patio for breakfast and, of course, found the warmest seat to bask in the sun.
I had never heard of this breed so I Googled him.
They are the National cat of Norway and adapted to a very cold climate, with a top coat of glossy, long, water-shedding hairs and a woolly undercoat for insulation.
Norwegian Forest Cats were the cats of choice for the Vikings! They are very strong and durable animals, and that did not go unnoticed by the warriors of Norway. They could bring these amazing cats aboard their ships and have them stay healthy and hearty while eating any rodents that happened to be aboard. Legend has it that famous Viking warrior Leif Ericson himself even had Norwegian Forest Cats along on his journeys many centuries ago. ( for more facts go here.)
This is Q1 the highest residential building in Australia. (I visited it in July 2015 and went to the top, the views are stunning. See them here. )
When it was opened in 2005 it was also the tallest residential tower in the world, but 13 years later it is now down to 6th. Since Jack cut the trees down we can now see it towering above all others. It is approx. 20 kilometres away in Surfers Paradise. In this image, that Jack took, it has a ghostly other-worldly look as the smoke haze from the Hinterland burn-offs changes the sky to a soft, smoky grey.
Finally I have to put in another image of the beautiful Grevillea Moonlight, this time against a soft focus sunset. (photo by Jack)
I’m joining the Len’s Artist Photography Challenge
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The cat is absolutely gorgeous and you’ve captured it perfectly Pauline. But the star on this one i hate to say, is Jack’s image of the Grevillea Moonlight. He caught it perfectly against that warm light. Now tell the truth, did you help him with this one ?!
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Thanks for the lovely theme this week Tina. I’m enjoying the weekly challenge the 4 of you are hosting. The grevillea is all jack’s, no help from me. He is very artistic with a good eye for composition.
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Beautiful colors on that cat and your sky.
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Thanks Dawn, I once dreamed of having hair that lovely auburn colour….
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Sooty is beautiful. But if the breed is adapted to a very cold climate, how does it cope in the Queensland Summer?
I particularly like that last photo of Jack’s. The selective focus and beautiful light are gorgeous.
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I would imagine Sooty would find the summers here quite trying
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Another vote for moonlight. Unfortunately getting a shot like that needs a ladder for our moonlight!
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We are lucky just sitting on the back deck with all the other houses around us single story we get a great view out west
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I am wondering how on earth a Norwegian Forest cat manages in a hot and humid Queensland climate! Perhaps they have him shaved in the summer! Still he has reached a good age and that fur does look very soft though in need of a good brush to my eyes!
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I think it is cruel to have those cats and dogs (ie huskies etc) in our climate they must find it very uncomfortable. Yes he did need a good brush, the owner said he found it hard to groom himself and she brushed him occasionally….
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They sell some amazing pet grooming gloves here with sort of velcro hooks which makes it easier to groom dogs and cats. One of my cats used to bite you if you tried to brush her! Thankfully they were all short-haired cats.
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Not seen those pet gloves, I think Sooty’s owner could’ve done with one
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Lovely choices, Pauline. Your Grevillea by Jack is wonderful and poor Sooty is very beautiful. That breed is the one I would have if I could have a cat. My husband says no…and I really think, if the summers are going to be this hot – that breed should stay up north.
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I don’t really think that is a suitable breed for our climate, I’m sure he suffers in the summer humidity.
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What a beauty Sooty is!
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He was a bit aloof though
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That’s cats for you! Everything on their own terms.
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Definitely
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What a lovely coat Sooty has, and his breed is interesting as well. I love Jack’s image of the flower.
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His coat was so thick I wondered how he could stand our summers
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Q1 looks like it has an amusement park on the roof.
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No amusement park just a viewing deck and cafe, fabulous views right along the coast
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Lovely Pauline!
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Thanks Gilly
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meow meow and meow to your take on soft and really like jack’s “Grevillea Moonlight” – it was a nice post here
🙂
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Thanks Y that was a very fluffy cat
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🙂
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