Yesterday, I caught the train to Derby for the first time to attend the signing of James Bowen’s new book – Bob: No Ordinary Cat. A lot of people haven’t heard the story of Bob and thought I was a bit weird for travelling 30 miles to a city I’ve never been to before, just to see him and get my book signed. Bob was found on the streets by James Bowen who was living in sheltered accomodation and was on a methodone programme and was struggling to get his life back on track. He nursed Bob, who had been bitten by another animal,back to health and tried to send him on his way. Bob wasn’t having any of it though and decided he was staying with James. He then started to follow him when he headed into Central London to busk or sell the Big Issue. The first book, A Street Cat Named Bob shares their adventures together over the last few years and how Bob has given James something to live for. Bob: No Ordinary Cat is the same story but has been rewritten to be more suitable for children aged 11+.

I got to Derby at around 11am and had a wander around Westfield while I tried to get my bearings. I eventually found Waterstones at around 12 and there were already people queuing inside, so I popped to Greggs and got a sandwich before heading back and joining the queue myself. I’m glad I got there when I did, not long after the queue suddenly got massive and stretched all the way around the outside of the shop! The staff were lovely and were handing out chocolates for us all while we waited. At around 11:40, James walked in with Bob on his shoulders. It was possibly the cutest thing that I have ever seen! They’d just travelled down from Manchester where they’d been on BBC Breakfast. When it was time for the signing, Bob was sat on his own chair on top of a cushion with his name appliqued on. Starring on TV must have worn him out though because he was fast asleep and really didn’t seem to care that there were so many people around! Most other cats would have been going mad! When I was getting my books signed (I already had the first one and purchased the second one while I was there) I didn’t get to talk to James which I was a bit disappointed about, because someone else came over and was showing him photos on his phone. I went round to wear Bob was sitting and whispered his name and he looked up and posed for a photo for me though as you can see in the third photo up there! After I got my books signed, I hung around for a bit and headed upstairs where I had a great view of Bob and I got some great photos of him giving James high fives!

I had such a good day, I was so pleased to finally meet James and Bob as I’ve looked for them so many times in Covent Garden! If you haven’t already read A Street Cat Named Bob then I really recommend that you do!