Nature Diary... The Waverley Paddle Steamer

The morning was chillier than it had been for some weeks and some of the summer bedding plants had begun to look less hopeful than they had a couple of weeks ago. Early morning at the bird feeders was very much quieter than it had been for several months when the adults were all showing their youngsters where to feed, but the birds still arrived in excited little flocks and consumed quite a vast quantity of food. The mornings were decidedly fresher although still clinging on to the memory of summer, but the afternoons were a continual surprise as temperatures rose when the sun came out making it feel like tee-shirts and shorts weather again. It was just such a day today when The Waverley Paddle Steamer steamed into view this morning then paddled away out of view late in the golden afternoon sunlight. A splendid sight.

Not so splendid was the sight which assaulted my senses when out shopping this afternoon. This appalling vision I've chosen to show in the extras. Look if you dare... you have been warned...