Birthday babies head for senior status

Yes, amazingly, it's that time of year again. Whenever the time rolls round for Teddi and Tobi's birthday, it makes me realise just how long I've been "back in Europe" and living here in Southern Spain. My furry house mates turn eight years old today; in cat terms, that makes them "middle aged," and in another couple of years they'll qualify for "senior cat" status. When I look at their kitten photos, taken in 2009, it seems like a lifetime away. How time flies!
Eight years of Tobi and Teddi draws my attention to the fact that I've now lived for eight years in Alhaurín de la Torre. That's longer than I lived in Vienna or Paisley, longer than the seven years in Muizenberg or seven years in Durbanville. It's a strange realisation, because Alhaurín became my home sort of "by chance." It wasn't planned or prepared for. In fact, if you'd asked me ten years ago to describe my probable future, it certainly wouldn't have included speaking Spanish or living with cats. I wonder how many more years this lovely Spanish pueblo will be my home, and how many more birthdays I'll celebrate with my fluffy friends.