Timofey's Hillfort
Allow me to invite you on a tour of Timofey's personal domain.
Timofey's hillfort is located opposite the bamboo bear pagodas. If you look into the prince's courtyard from the right-hand side, you will see a rock garden shaped like bamboo bears. Children love these stones.
In the far corner of the enclosure are the door to the prince's tower and the prince's porch. From the porch, a ramp rises along the back wall to the prince's watch-and-battle gallery. That is precisely where Timofey keeps watch.
Yes, in the photograph is the prince† himself. In his usual spot.
The prince's fence is transparent for the public's amusement. If you stand a little to the left of the enclosure's corner, you will see the system of shelves on the back wall, the red annex (more on that below), and the system of ramps and shelves for descending from the annex roof along the right wall.
The red annex is a vestibule through which the keepers enter the enclosure.
Closer to us is a giant sink. It is often mistaken for a pool. At its lowest point is a drain covered by a stone that catches leaves and debris, while the water flows freely into the sewer. Timofey's drinking water is filled from a hose.
If you move a little farther left, you can take a closer look at both the system of shelves on the back wall and the vestibule. We can see the door, partly concealed by a thuja, and the metal mesh in the walls and door, through which the keepers watch Timofey and Timofey watches for the keepers.
The transparency of the vestibule is perhaps the main reason for choosing this lookout position. From the right edge of the lower shelf, Timosha can see straight through the entire vestibule. And while waiting for lunch, Timofey climbs onto the annex roof and descends the ladder between the vestibule and the tree, peering inside through the mesh from every step.
We are at the left edge of the enclosure. From here, you can see the vestibule door, the ladder (in the shade), and the tunnel directly beneath Timosha.
This round structure has been called all sorts of things: a fattening gauge, a tunnel, a slide, a barrel, a round box. The things I've heard. I myself prefer to call it a washing machine—it sounds very funny and silly.
And this is what Timofey's hillfort looks like in motion.
Take note of the wooden structure on the left, in the bush. It is clearly visible now, but in summer Timofey often sits there, completely invisible to people. The keepers also sometimes tie a quail to the branches. This is one of our beloved cat's secret places.
I hope you enjoyed the tour.
†A note for the pedantic. The author knows about the vocative case. When addressing Timofey, prince is an established form of respectful, playful address.
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hello timofey! ❤️
And here’s a riddle for you all as a follow-up to the tour: what is the area of Timofey’s hillfort? 🤓
Whoever guesses first will get a manul postcard from me (which one and from where, I don’t know yet, but what difference does it make😁)