Last month my husband and I visited Tasmania and spent a day in Hobart. While looking for a particular shop, I re-discovered the Cat and Fiddle Arcade, which I had visited back in 1978 with my late husband John on our first trip there. The arcade has been upgraded, but the wonderful Cat and Fiddle animated clock still acts out the classic rhyme on the hour. It was unveiled in 1965 and is still going strong. So many of us grew up with that classic rhyme, along with many others. I hope today's children are growing up with the same lovely verses that they will cherish. It has inspired me to write a new take on this classic, with mention of The Owl and the Pussycat and perhaps others. I have read many articles over the last few years that suggest re-writing fairy tales as suggestion when looking for new writing ideas. I've tentatively titled it Rhymes for Our Times, and I suspect it will be more for an adult audience who may be familiar with various characters and rhymesmentioned. In a nod to our modern age, social media gets a look in. The theme is along the lines of marriage, as the Owl and the Pussycat sailed away to be married. I have opened my take with the dish proposing to the spoon, who is delighted to accept. They decide they need music, and a cat who plays the fiddle is mentioned. Spoon needs a dress, and will ask Bessie the cow who is the finest dressmaker around their way. Spoon makes the comment that the cow will be over the moon about it. They want to contact the Owl and the Pussycat to get the number of the pig celebrant who performed their ceremony. I haven't gone any further with it at this stage, and I don't know really what thoughts will come along. As I'm doing it in rhyme, I want to get the meter right, and I'm sure it will be a lot of fun to put together. Imagination is great.