The Adventures of Vince the Cat - Vince Discovers the Wonder of Seville

Vince had a feeling. It was a very nice feeling that made his tail twitch with excitement. He had a feeling that he might soon be on his travels again with Heidi. He could not wait to see where they were going next! He did not have to wait long to find out.

The man responded “Buenos Días señorita!

El Hotel Sevilla está a la derecha, cerca de la Catedral.”

“Muchas Gracias!” Heidi responded.

Vince was impressed – Heidi was so clever!

Their hotel was right in the centre of the city next to the Cathedral and they were soon unpacking in their room.

Vince looked out at the window at the sights below. The people were dressed in bright summer clothes and the rows of orange trees cast shadows on the pavement below. As he looked out something caught his eye. On top of the awning of one of the shops was a kitten, peering over the edge. It was far too high for such a small creature to jump from but it looked as though the kitten was going to try!

Quick as a flash Vince had jumped out of the hotel window and run along the ledge outside and down onto the awning of the shop.

“Vince!” Heidi and Adele ran to the window. “What on earth is he doing? This is not like him at all!”

Heidi said.

His travel basket was out again and Heidi announced that they were going to Seville in Spain. A city she had always wanted to visit.

Adele, Heidi’s friend was going too and as she and Heidi looked through the guidebook, planning what they were going to do, Vince rubbed against Adele’s legs purring loudly.

“Ok Vince! We’ll be off soon!” She laughed.

And Adele was right. Before he knew it Vince was looking out at a blue sky in the beautiful city of Seville in Andalusia, Spain. As he wiped his eyes with his paws, Vince sniffed the air. It was different from the air at home and smelled fruity. This was going to be exciting!

Heidi and Adele felt immediately immersed in the Spanish culture and were ready to start practising their Spanish language skills with the locals.

“Buenos días señor!” Heidi said to a man nearby.

“¿Dónde está el Hotel Sevilla por favor?”

Adele scooped Vince up and whispered in his ear.

“Heidi is saying hello to the man and asking where our hotel is, in Spanish.”

“Agreed! We should first check if this kitten is ok and whether she belongs to someone.”

The hotel concierge directed them to a nearby vet who told them that apart from being a bit underweight, the kitten was fine. She did not have a microchip so he said she was probably a stray.

“Well, not any more!” Heidi said firmly scooping the kitten up.

The vet gave the kitten some injections, a microchip and completed the necessary forms so

Heidi could get her a passport.

Heidi stroked the kitten thoughtfully. “Well what a start to our holiday! You will have to come with us on our adventure!” She said, and the kitten rubbed herself against Heidi’s hand and purred so loudly, that her whole body shook.

“So, what shall we call her then?” Said Adele. “It has to be something Spanish.”

“Well you know there is a Spanish Island I love and the Spanish or Catalan word for it is Eivissa! I think it suits her, don’t you?”

“For sure, I love it!” Adele said.

As they peered out of the hotel window, they saw Vince inching his way across the awning of the shop two doors down, trying hard not to make it move too much.

“What is he doing?” Adele said.“Oh wait, I see now, there’s a kitten on the awning, and Vince is going to rescue it!”

As Vince inched closer Heidi and Adele held their breath. Finally they saw him pick the kitten up by

the scruff of the neck and carefully carry her back along the ledge and into the room.

“Oh Vince, you brave boy!” Heidi said. “¡Ven aquí!

¿De dónde vienes?” She said softly to the little kitten, wondering where she had come from. She picked up the kitten and looked at her closely.

“Hola gatita linda!” She said. “Estas a salvo ahora.” Trying to reassure the kitten. “I’m so glad this cute little kitten is safe now. She seems to be fine, with no real harm done by her little adventure.”

“I think we should go and find a café somewhere so we can relax a bit, get these two some food and work out where to go today.” Adele said.

“I say we wander around to get our bearings. Then let’s head for Plaza Nueva.” Adele said.

They set off and soon arrived at the square which was full of orange trees heavy with orange blossom flowers.

With Eivissa peeking out over the top of Heidi’s bag they set off. It was a beautiful spring day, and the temperature was a pleasant 25 degrees with bright sunshine dappling the pavements between the trees. Vince purred loudly.

He was already very fond of little rescued Eivissa.

As they walked they took in the beautiful smell of orange blossoms that came from all of the orange trees on the streets of Seville. Everywhere they went they could smell the wonderful fragrance.

Adele decided to search for a café nearby and found a recommended ‘heladería’ on Google that was only a short walk away.

“Let’s get a coffee or a cool drink, or better still some ice cream? Maybe, they will have my favourite, pistachio flavour.” Adele suggested and Heidi agreed that would be a good idea, as after all the excitement, little Eivissa was looking a bit tired and hungry.

The ice cream shop had a little courtyard with tables and chairs where they could sit and rest a while and in the display at the front of the shop they had all kinds of different, local flavours.

“Hola. ¿Tiene una mesa para cuatro por favor?” Heidi said.

“¡Si, cojan la mesa que quieran! ¿Qué les gustaría para beber o comer?” Said the shop assistant.

”¡Nos gustaría tomar cuatro helados por favor!”

“We’re getting four ice-creams are we?” Asked Adele.

“Yes, one each for us and then one each for the cats!” Heidi replied.

Adele gobbled all her ice cream in double quick time! Without sharing any!

“Oh look!” Two little girls came running over to them. “A lovely little kitten! Can we pet her?”

“Of course you can! She is called Eivissa.” Heidi said. “What are your names girls?”

“Neve and Emily,” the girls chorused, “we’re on holiday!”

“Looks like they have one of my favourite ingredients too – figs! So I’m going to have that one. It’s called Higo Crocante (Higo caramelizado, crocante de almendra y chocolate) – Caramelised figs, with crushed almonds and chocolate sauce.” Said Heidi.

Adele had ‘Pistacho’ and the two cats tucked into a tasty ice cream called ‘Giulia’ (Flor de leche, salsa de frambuesa y galleta integral).

They planned their next place to visit, looking at the map, as Heidi tucked a sleepy Eivissa back into her bag. They decided they would walk up to ‘Plaza de España’.

“There is a Plaza de España in many Spanish cities,” Adele explained, “but none as beautiful as

this one.”

Eivissa was fast asleep and snoring quite contentedly. Vince, however, to the delight of the crowds, started competing with some boys who were doing some free running around the square.

“Wow this place is amazing!” Adele said. “Do you know the history Heidi?”

“Yes I do. In 1929, Seville hosted the Ibero- American Exposition World Fair, located in Parque de María Luisa. The entire southern end of the city was redeveloped into an expanse of gardens and grand boulevards. Parque de María Luisa, is a ‘Moorish paradisical style’ with a half mile of tiled fountains, pavilions, walls, ponds and benches; lush plantings of palms, orange trees, Mediterranean pines, and stylised flower beds. Numerous buildings were constructed for the exhibition.”

“Oh she is so adorable!” Emily said as Eivissa went from her to Neve purring and rubbing her little body up against their hands.

“Oh there’s another cat, is he yours as well?” Neve said. Vince wandered over having jumped down from the table after stuffing his face with ice-cream.

“This is Vince!” Heidi said.

The girls played with Eivissa and Vince for a while, laughing in delight as the two cats ran around, jumping over each other. They were weaving in between the table legs where Heidi and Adele were sitting.

“You are so lucky to have such a lovely cat and kitten!” Emily said.

“Yes and little Eivissa is sooo cute.” Neve said. “We need to go now, but thanks for letting us play!”

“You are welcome girls!” Heidi said.

“Bye, Eivissa, bye Vince!” the girls called as they ran off to join their families.

As they ate the delicious ice cream they noticed that Eivissa, as well as having ice cream all over her face and whiskers had very heavy eyes.