I bought a gift for a friend...

No, not this duck.  Apparently he / she is at least 14 years old (the duck, not the person who will not be getting the duck).  We don't see many ducks where I live, certainly not big fat white ones like this.  This one has lived a sheltered / protected life at a shop that sells fish (big koi) and (quite big) waterlilies.

Our friend will soon be the proud owner of a very purple waterlily.

I start a 12 day break from work today!  Yipee! It's been a tough few weeks and I'm glad to be having a break but also glad to be working with mostly highly competent colleagues.