I have bought Louis Catorze two new water glasses for his birthday. I wanted a spare one for when the other was in the dishwasher, and I chose two different styles from the same range because I didn’t know which one Catorze would like better.

The range is called Versailles, bien sûr.

(You’d think all glasses would be created equal, right? But, over time, we have learned that Catorze will drink from a pint glass, a wine glass and a highball tumbler, but not a cocktail coupe and DEFINITELY not a bowl. He would rather shrivel up and die of thirst than drink from a substandard water vessel.)

I avoided opening the box for ages because I knew that Cat Daddy would be furious, but eventually I couldn’t put it off for any longer.

Needless to say, Cat Daddy hates them and doesn’t think we need them. It’s true, but we don’t, but then not much about Catorzian life is about “need”. He doesn’t “need” the most expensive food on the planet. He doesn’t “need” fancy Japanese raised, tilted bowls. He doesn’t “need” antique silver Louis XIV cutlery. But he has them. That’s just the way things are.

Cat Daddy also says that the glasses are brash and ostentatious. But then that’s what la noblesse are all about; understated good taste is not their style.

I don’t suppose having me lying there taking photographs was especially conducive to a peaceful drinking atmosphere, but the little sod was initially wary:

“Quoi le merde is this?”

He sniffed the glass, walked away, returned for another sniff and walked away again. Oh dear.

Thankfully, he eventually relented. This was a huge relief to me as I couldn’t handle the inevitable grief from Cat Daddy had he not.

Oh, and the volume of the Versailles wine glass is slightly less than that of his previous vessel (a Bodum storage jar, the kind used for tea or sugar or whatever). So I can tell Cat Daddy that we are doing our bit for the environment. Ahem.

Incidentally, whilst I escaped the I Told You So Chorus, I didn’t manage to avoid the comments about giving the little sod his birthday present early. How is it possible to be against the idea of a cat receiving birthday presents, yet insistent that said cat should not receive said presents in advance of the day? Am I the only one who doesn’t understand that?

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28 responses to “Le cristal royal”

  1. Penny Cooper avatar
    Penny Cooper

    Oh Nemone how wonderful his glass is and what Cat Daddy doesn’t understand is that the new glass has to be tried out in advance because the birthday could be spoiled by an outright refusal to use it. So this way dear Louis will be celebrating in style, sipping from his perfect goblet. And we don’t want to overstimulate him by confusing him with too many changes after all, better to play it down and allow his Lordship (and you) to savour every moment of his Joyeaux Anniversaire ! 💖💙🐈‍⬛💙💖

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      You are so right! Can’t have his birthday ruined by a massive NON!

      Like

  2. Lou Carreras avatar

    The Gray Menace, Clancy, had a clear glass beer mug from Germany. Beleive me I understand.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Of course he did! I can’t imagine him having anything else!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Charles Huss avatar

    What is the volume of the glass. It looks much bigger next to him than I expected.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      I think it’s 300ml.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Charles Huss avatar

        Smaller than it looks.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          Are you still talking about the glass? 🤣🤣🤣

          Liked by 1 person

  4. M - avatar

    When is Le Roi’s birthday?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      It’s on Beltane Eve!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. M - avatar

        So…May 1st or Walpurghisnact?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          The latter! 🤣🤣🤣 It’s probably not his actual birthday, but it’s what’s listed on his paperwork as his birthday.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. M - avatar

            That’s SO appropriate for him.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. iamthesunking avatar
              iamthesunking

              It’s hilarious, isn’t it? Had we not been given a date at all, I’m sure we’d have made one of the sabbats his birthday. Most likely Samhain or Beltane. 🤣🤣🤣

              Liked by 1 person

  5. mmechapeau avatar
    mmechapeau

    I wouldn’t like to sound intrusive, but I have a question. We are told about a new glass you bought to please Louis. But, what about Cat Daddy? Is he accustomed to pampering Louis too or are you the only member of the household who does it?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      He pretends not to partake in the pampering, but he does it!

      Like

  6. Herman avatar
    Herman

    That Versailles wine glass looks great and it’s the perfect gift for that sweet birthday boy. If there’s a chocolate cake I might pay you a visit… 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Come and visit! We would love that!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Herman avatar
        Herman

        Going back to the UK and London is high on my bucket list. I would love to combine it with paying you a visit and say Hi to Louis!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          Please do! I mean that! We’d love you to sign his guest book too!

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Herman avatar
            Herman

            It would be an honour!

            Liked by 1 person

            1. iamthesunking avatar
              iamthesunking

              Please email me (I think my address is visible to you?) and let me know when it’s likely to happen!

              Liked by 1 person

            2. Herman avatar
              Herman

              Deal! I will let you know when I’m in the UK, (hopefully soon…).

              Liked by 1 person

            3. iamthesunking avatar
              iamthesunking

              Great!

              Liked by 1 person

  7. Kate Crimmins avatar

    The cats here drink from a tilted bowl especially made for cats but their food is on special flat plates. I tried to explain whisker fatigue (yes it’s a thing) to the local cat daddy and he just shook his head.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Yes, sounds like our Cat Daddy! Were there Unrepeatable Expletives or is your Cat Daddy a bit more polite?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Kate Crimmins avatar

        He’s been worn down. We have a cat that barfs most mornings. Sometimes on desks or places that are difficult to clean. That cured him of the expletives. It doesn’t help.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          Oh no! 😱😱😱

          Liked by 1 person

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