Fond memories and feline messiness

Today has been a day of two halves. It started off sweetly by my two boys and I joining me down at the start of the Seamie Weldon 5k Run/Walk. This year I was to be in the " walk" section but was delighted to see all my old running buddies, very aroused at the sight of Gentle Gary and cheered up to see Jolly Joan's smiling face. I could feel the excitement and nerves of those undertaking their first 5 k, 2 years after I had completed mine. I was envious of the incredible buzz they would get afterwards. I suggested naively that the boys might like to have a photo with their mother going over the finish line but they gave me a look like they do when I suggest they eat broccoli ! I met up with Marie the Moocher, who was only too happy to accompany me as they took off with their friends . Off we went catching up on the chat as basically everyone passed us, but we were happy out in the sunshine alongside Lovely Leona.To my immense pride my boys crossed their first finish line in 30 and 38 minutes respectively and were buzzing as I approached the clock. I did feel somewhat embarrassed as the crowds clapped us in but enjoyed my high five from the local Superintendent, the grin on Camera Crawley's face as he snapped me and the happy faces of those who had finished some minutes earlier. We headed home, thoughts of Gentle Gary in my head...a very good morning.
Second half....not quite as sweet. My beautiful cute cuddly Tabby kittens are adorable but have decided in their youth to use the patch of grass at the clothes line as their toilet....dirty dirty pussy ! GASP had complained about this following his recent grass cutting but the true extent of the problem only became apparent when I went to hang out the bedclothes yesterday....not only as the smell was somewhat challenging ( I am wrinkling my nose as I type) but I trod in it in my ridged soled trainers, leading to some detailed cleaning with baby wipes and a toothpick....yeuch ! I knew I had to address this, so chose to consult an expert...Dr. Google. So, full of knowledge I chose this afternoon as D day for cat poo. Donning a pair of gloves and carrying a a sealable plastic bag I went out to the back lawn and undertook Step 1.....picking up cat poo, while trying not to vomit. Step 2 - dispose of gloves and poo. Step 3 - spray area with various floral sprays to convince kittens it is not a toilet ( I kid you not) Step 4 - put a clear large plastic bottle of water in the centre of the area - apparently kittens are repelled by their own reflection ??? and Step 5 - put out tray of cat litter - of course they will ! GASP thinks I've lost it but does appreciate my efforts, especially when I told him the electronic repeller was €50. I have washed my hands about 17 times by now, no kitten has yet used the litter tray and the talk I gave their mother appears to have had little effect. Next plan is to fill GASP's back toilet with cat litter and train them to use it...not sure how I will get them to flush though.....