Oh Steve, that poor little cat! I was just going to suggest the same thing as Raggytash. If you leave the cat food down somewhere sheltered, the little thing will come back in a few minutes to scoff it up, once you're out of sight. Aren't some people the pits? I took in our little Solo under the same circumstances, even down to the snow. His poor little paws were frozen. He too was terrified at first. I used to wonder what people had done to him to make him so scared.

Your big buster of a cat sounds phenomenal Raggy. Good thing you're getting the electronic cat flap up and running. Have you got a squoosher water gun yet? One or two soakings would deter any attacks outside (once the weather improves)