After work, I went outside and met a new neighbourhood resident. He's a
handsome semi long hair grey cat with some signs of tabby stripes, an
impressively plumed tail, and a natty breakaway collar with a little bell.
He was a little startled by the creaking door, but was quickly coaxed back
for some skritches. While he was sniffing around on one side of the yard I
started watering some plants on the opposite side with a hand-held sprayer
on the hose. He trotted over and wedged himself between the fence and the
spray, and followed me around moving in an out of the spray, jumping a bit
when it hit a new surface and made a new noise, then returning. I've heard
that some cats like water, but this was astonishing! When I turned off the
water and started taking in the clothes, he rubbed his very wet fur around
my calves in a most affectionate manner, finally lying down practically on
my toes. To my astonishment, Mandy, who was investigating from inside the
back door, wasn't in a state of hysterical rage at the invasion. Maybe
this wasn't his first visit? He clearly wanted to furthur his
aquaintanceship with us, and getting in with an armload of laundry while
not allowing him in or Mandy out was a challenge!

He appears to have wandered off again now.