Memories of the Manor

Last May, I posted about letting the manor go. Although it was just an inanimate object, it was bound up in a multitude of memories, which I would like to indulge in here.

Atilla & Raspy were the first occupants of the Manor & moved into it in June 2009 from the Ferplast Rekord 6. The Manor was bigger, with the dome/loft area being the significant bonus space, which also opened up. The other main differences were the large central door & the useful & handy landing platform.

The video below shows them during their first moments inside the Manor:

Here they are on the landing platform, chewing on a large vine ball. If you watch to the end, you will see a typical bit of Raspy in action:

The next phase of the Manor was when the Toyboys moved in. Their first face-to-face meeting, i.e., not through bars, happened in the grounds of the Manor, more specifically, on the landing platform. The following video captures this momentous occasion. You can see that Cagney already had enormous self-belief that he was charming & therefore anyone would be happy to be in his company. Bezukhov was off-camera, keeping a thoughtful & respectful distance. Raspy & Atilla both asserted themselves by attempting to bite/grab Cagney’s tail.

Despite Atilla & Raspy’s ‘gentle’ reminder that they were in charge, they very quickly & graciously allowed those beautiful Toyboys to enter the Manor & explore.

It was not long before they could all rest harmoniously in the loft area together:

Clockwise: Raspy, Atilla, Cagney & Bezukhov resting in loft area of Manor

Nothing ever stays the same though, & after Raspy & Atilla departed to Rainbow Bridge, Cagney & Bezukhov were the sole occupants. They retained sole occupancy even with the addition of friends Phineas & Thomas. It was not until the loss of Cagney that Bezukhov felt compelled to move out. When he moved into the Ferplast with Phineas, it was the beginning of the end for the Manor.

New friends: Bezukhov, Cagney, Thomas & Phineas

Bezukhov & Cagney

Dalai & Lennie

Perry & Bezukhov

Although the Manor was still in use as a play, eating & general chill-out area, its importance was severely diminished. With Bezukhov living in the Silver Villa with his friend Dalai, & their new friends Perry & Lennie requiring an equivalent home post-quarantine, the Manor was sadly retired. Though it is gone, it is not forgotten, along with all the memories & precious hearts it housed, entertained & generously sheltered.

Thank you, Manor.