(Amanda) Uncle Mick has grown these weird plants. The humans seem to like them but I don't know why. I don't think they look very nice and they don't smell of anything. I keep hoping that Betty will grow some more CatNip. Maybe she will read this and sow some seeds for me.

(Amanda) I almost fell asleep on Uncle Mick's lap yesterday. He's never had a cat of his own at home and that's a shame. He's very kind and patient and any cat would be lucky to live with him.

(Janet) I was surprised to see Amanda on my plot because she is usually a bit scared of me. It was nice to have company. It reminded me of when I used to live on Gloria Glover's plot. I think Amanda and I will get used to each other if she keeps visiting me. We might even become friends.

(Amanda) I've never met this human before. I think he liked stroking me but I don't think he was used to cats. To begin with I enjoyed it but it was a different matter when he started on my tummy. I tried to grab his hand but he quickly moved it away. Unfortunately, Betty didn't get a photo.

(Amanda) I spend quite a bit of time just staring at plant pots. I'm hoping that one day I will see the actual moment when a tiny little seedling pops up. Betty doesn't think I will see it because it usually happens at night. I never thought that gardening could be so interesting, did you?

(Amanda) I think I've told you before how much I love a good stretch? I can't explain why I like it so much. I wish Betty would do a bit of stretching, it would do her good. Maybe not on the ground like I do it, she's too ancient for that. But a stretch is a stretch, isn't it?

(Amanda) I followed Betty to the Memorial Garden and found a lovely shady spot under a table. I relaxed there while she watered the plants. A few of the plants haven't survived the heat and will have to be replaced. I think Auntie Pip will be doing that.

(Maurine) I love it at the allotments. The humans seem happy to see me but I don't think Janet and Amanda are very keen. It doesn't bother me. All I am interested in is the food and there's plenty of it. I was already quite a big boy when I arrived here last September but I'm even bigger now!

(Janet) How are you getting on in this hot weather? I know some humans (like Betty) really don't like it but it seems to suit others. It doesn't bother me really. I have plenty of places that are shady so I spend time there.

(Maurine) I'm getting used to Auntie Rachel and her camera. She doesn't try to stroke me, she just takes photos. She also gives me treats and I don't mind that at all. I've heard that some of her photos may be in next year's allotment calendar. That will be nice, won't it?

(Amanda) Betty often tells me that I'm a very alert girl. I think I know what she means. I like to know what's going on and if there are any strangers about. Her dogs used to do that. She says I'm her little WatchCat. Do you think that's a good thing?

(Amanda) The allotment grass is looking a bit different these days. It always used to be green but that's changed recently. I think it's something to do with the hot dry weather we've been having. Betty says that when we have rain the grass will chance to green again.

(Amanda) I heard about how brave Maurine was, eating Dreamies from Uncle Andy's hand. It has taken him almost a year to get to this stage. I remember when I first came to the allotments. I never went near the humans until one day I decided it was time to be friendly and I haven't looked back since.

(Amanda) I'm still waiting for the day when Betty will give me a tummy-rub. She thinks that I will grab her hand with my claws if she does it. She could be right. I wouldn't do it in a nasty way of course but she doesn't seem to realise that. I'll keep trying and maybe one day I'll be lucky....

(Amanda) I like to give things a good sniff, especially when I haven't seen them before. I've never seen the humans doing this, maybe they have a different way of learning about things. The thing I'm sniffing is new so it didn't have any interesting smells. Do you usually sniff things?

(Amanda) Betty was eating a weird fruit called 'pomegranite' the other day. She wondered what would happen if she sowed some of the funny-looking seeds from it. She didn't expect them to grow - but they did. She loves to grow things from seed. What do you think? Do you do it too?

(Amanda) I think that Maurine has slowly started to relax a bit. He still isn't what Betty calls 'tame' but he is getting much better. I love living at the allotments with humans who love me. Maybe Maurine will feel the same one day.

(Janet) Colin is so funny. He made his walking-stick from a tree branch and an old handle from a garden tool and he loves it. He doesn't care if it looks weird. He thinks it's good to re-use old things. Do you think that's a good idea?

(Amanda) I want to show you this plant that Betty is growing in the Big Greenhouse. It's called 'Basil' and it has a strong smell. The leaves are as big as a human hand. Betty likes to grow strange things and this is definitely strange. Have you ever seen Basil? What did you think of it?

(Maurine) I was sitting at the side of the veranda when Betty suddenly appeared. I didn't run away, I just sat and stared at her. She never stares at me. I think she pretends I'm not there, I like that. I've trained her to give me Dreamies every time she sees me. I'm on to a good thing, aren't I?

(Amanda) It's a bit cooler here this morning - I like it. The veranda gets too hot so I've been going over to Janet's plot recently. I can't say we are exactly friends yet but we're getting used to each other. Colin spends a lot of time there and I love to keep him company. Things are looking good.

(Amanda) It's been SO hot and it's all the humans can talk about at the moment. Betty is not happy at all. She comes here early to water the Big Greenhouse and then she stays at home all day with the fan on. It doesn't affect Colin so much and he stays on his plot. I sleep a bit more than usual.

(Amanda) This is a bit of a silly photo. Someone had left a courgette on the table and I decided to smell it. Bettty took a photo but unfortuately my face was covering it and it just looks like I am smelling the table. Taking photos is not always as easy as it seems, is it?

(Amanda) Maurine is a very strange boy. He has no interest at all in me or Janet and definitely doesn't want to make friends with the humans. Food is the only thing he likes. Maybe he will never be a cat who likes humans and other cats?

(Janet) I'm so glad I moved to Colin's plot. I look forward to seeing him every day and I watch him looking after the plants. Did you know that he grows flowers as well as things to eat? He says it's all to do with the bees but that's a bit complicated for me. The flowers look lovely, don't they?

(Amanda) There wasn't much room on this chair but I manage to squeeze myself onto it. It's very interesting being in the Big Greenhouse with Betty. I think I'm learning a lot. Can you see the chillies on the plant? Betty told me they are called 'Scotch Bonnet'. That's a funny name, isn't it!

(Amanda) I'm sharing this news about Rainbow Day. Uncle David made this poster for us and he's done a really good job, hasn't he? It's going to be such a special day and I hope to be there too .... but I'm not promising. Betty asks you to let her know if you are coming because space is limited.

(Amanda) What's the matter with Betty? She thinks this photo is funny and she wants you to see it. I wonder how she would feel if I shared silly photos of her? Never mind, I'll get over it and maybe a few Dreamies will help. (I hope she's reading this)

(Amanda) There was such a lovely smell coming from Betty's bag so I had to investigate. I spotted an open packet of treats in there. Is it normal for humans to always have treats with them? I'm beginning to wonder whether she eats them too. I don't think she would but you never know with humans.