Taking in semi-feral cats is generally described as 'rewarding', which is code for It will take them a long time to relax with human company, and you'll appreciate it when they finally do.

They are pretty much there now. They are still a little jumpy where sudden noises or movements are concerned, and they hide under the sofa for a while when strangers visit, but most of the time they are pretty relaxed.

The kittens are rather larger than last update, but still pretty kitten-like:

Oh, and their nicknames are now officially their names, so they are Orange Boy and Chocolate Girl (the latter so-named because although she looks black in most lights, when you part the fur she's actually a very dark chocolate brown).

Mum is still Shiraz. She was the most skittish of all, but will now jump up onto the sofa next to you, before darting away again. When she's relaxed, she loves having her belly rubbed.

Orange Boy is the most independent. He will graciously consent to be stroked when he's in the mood, but it's usually not long before he's off. He also has the loudest purr in the world.

Chocolate Girl is turning into a real softy. She is the only one of the three happy to be picked up (OB will put up with it for a minute or two), and loves being stroked.

Don't be fooled by the innocent look, though: Chocolate Girl is also known as the furry death machine, bagging herself a bird or mouse at least every few days. I am gradually persuading her to dine out rather than bring home takeaways.