Of Stars & Pigs

The Geminid meteor shower was everything it was promised to be.  In one hour in the early hours of Friday morning, despite some cloud cover, at least thirty shooting stars flashed across the sky.  Sadly, of the dozen or so photographs taken, five were out of focus, and the rest showed impressive expanses of night sky but not a single meteor.  So here's a photo of Monday's waning crescent moon instead - but if you want to see what can be done by a good photographer, go to NASA's 'Astronomy Picture of the Day' website here.



Meanwhile, back on Earth, in a surprise move, The Diary has become a pig farmer.  Having had the pigs as near neighbours for what seems like decades, and having become, if not affectionate towards them, at least tolerant of most of their foibles, when asked to take over the care and maintenance of the one pig left in the field opposite us, The Diary agreed.

Above is the breakfast that was laid before Bobby the Boar this morning, though not visible are the vitamins and other fancy supplements added from the house larder - Bobby needs to be built up into a truly rampant boar.

Bobby greeted his new master with grunts of excitement, and tucked into his meal with relish.  He's not very good at saying 'thank you', but this will be worked on, and he seems to spill almost as much as he eats, so will be taught not to gobble his food.

Rumour has it that Bobby's wife, Betty, is due back with him in the next few days.  The Diary will, of course, be charging Hughie a huge fee for Bobby's newly supercharged services as well as for board and lodging.