Cat Marina

Hey there. Thanks for joining us for tonight's visit to the Cat Marina. A marina is a place where people keep their boats. And cats, well, you know what they are. It's a great place to take a gentle stroll as the sun goes down. Before we set out, I always like to do a little wind-down exercise. Tonight's wind-down is a breathing exercise. So when you're ready, let's begin. Now, just bringing the attention to the breath. Noticing where you feel it. In the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm. You're nice and relaxed. We're going to be taking a deep breath in for four, holding it for four and then breathing out for six. So are you ready? Let's begin. In for four, two, three, four. Hold it for four, two, three, four. Breathing out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. Great. Now returning the breath to normal. The Cat Marina is a little closed off stretch of river with many brightly colored houseboats moored along its banks. Some very lovely people live in these boats, but let's be honest, the loveliest thing about this charming spot is its feline residents. In every boat lives at least one cat, sometimes more than one. Should you care to take a stroll along the Cat Marina, maybe early in the morning, or at dusk, the cats' favorite times of day, you're bound to run into a few of these tremendous creatures. The cat Marina isn't open to everyone. You have to have a key. Without one, the best you can hope for is a glimpse through the foliage. If you press your nose through the bars of the wrought iron gate, it's thickly grown over with ivy, but you do have a key. Just slide it into the creaky lock and turn. Then push the gate open, it's a little stiff, and make your way along the path. Underfoot, tufts of grass and wild flowers are pressing their way up between the cracked paving stones. On one side of you is the mossy green river lined with colorful canal boats, moored end to end. They sit low in the water. Their little windows framed with pretty curtains and some have a collection of potted plants and patio furniture on their roofs, for sitting out in good weather. On your other side is a thick bank of hedge rows and trees completely screening out the road that lies beyond. It's a restful spot. There are ducks chattering out on the water. The low murmur of someone's radio and occasional airplane breaking through the clouds far above. If you listen...