In the 'Big Smoke'.

A bit of a cold/virus thing happening over the past few days, so updating the (b)Log of the good ship Moonstone has not had much precedence. However; I wanted to apprise you of the variety of aquatic bird-life we've been seeing; both on the river Thames, and here around the canals of London.

For starters: once we emerged from the Kennet and Avon Canal, the number of swans increased exponentially. As they all belong to the monarch, Liz is rich in big white birds ... as well as lots of other things! We've probably seen a hundred times (not exaggerating!) as many swans as this, over the past week. 




Here is a sampling of other birds espied ...

Canada geese and goslings ... too many to count!

Urban comorant ... right here in Little Venice.

The ubiquitous Mallard. 

Mandarin duck and drake. He's the colourful one!

Muscovy ducks.

Tufted ducks ... sweet!

Aylesbury duck ... originally farmed.

Coot and chick ... 

... and a moorhen ... both great swimmers without webbed feet!

Meanwhile ... here's (60' x 11') boat named Valhalla. We thought we were intruding on the shooting of a new episode of STAR WARS!

Now we're off - with my daughter and her husband (Jane and Max) to see the West End stage production of the commitments. I'll be back as soon as possible. Tom.