Never work with animals

After the wildlife cruise, I now know why the Ancient Mariner shot the albatross. Forget lit crit of Coleridge's metaphor for original sin, random acts etc. It was simply so he could get a photo. For such a large bird (we saw Royals which have 3m wing-span) that glides above boats from one side to the other, it's remarkably elusive when you try film it. (Where's david Attenbrough when you need him?)Wonderful to see though!

Also saw a great brute of a seal basking, as only seals can do.

Love the black swans here, a whole flotilla of them just off shore, eating weed but fussy that it has a covering of seawater first (like us having salt on our food, I suppose). They're first in when the tide's in and last out when it leaves. (Just like the Germans, hey?) Apparently, as they age they get whiter like us - only they don't panic and reach for the Grecian 2000. I suppose no one can grow old more gracefully than a swan.