So sorry about your cat that died Raggytash. But how wonderful that your 'escapee' managed to get back across three miles of unfamiliar territory!

I reckon cats have a good instinctive sense of direction (like migrating birds) They can sniff the air and recognise the smell of their home area. (Just a theory!)

Sam the Skull is still around keberoxu. My husband is just as soft as me. He's always on the lookout for the thing around our garden and rushes into the kitchen to prepare a dish and a bowl of milk.

In fact, Spirit has just this minute left the premises. He's been in our hall on the doormat scoffing a sachet of best Purina Gourmet food and a small saucer of milk. Our cats ignore him now, and he's stopped being aggressive towards them. He has a lovely little 'chirrup' as a greeting. Husband calls him 'Le Mendiant' (beggar)

We keep our bedroom window only slightly open at night now, to prevent an unauthorised visit during the small hours!