A day in the life of ...

a swan.

 Leaving Runnymede at 9:45 on Wednesday (11th) but we're not going far today ...

 A bad hair day perhaps?

At Ankerwycke, opposite the Runnymede moorings there is apparently lots to see including the old ruins of St Mary's Priory a Benedictine Priory built during the reign of Henry II.  Unfortunately mooring is not allowed here but tomorrow (Sept 15th and also next week the 22nd) there will be a guided walk in the area by the National Trust, also unfortunately we can't be there.

 As we approach the righthand bend we see a swan in the distance ...

 a black swan.

We've seen them before, in fact we're sure we saw one on this reach last year but I can't find a photo.  Other times were in Windsor and  at Spade Oak two years ago and in April 2013 on a walk George took whilst we were moored at Bugsworth Basin on our previous boat nb Rock 'n' Roll.

Five minutes after setting off our destination is in sight ... Runnymede visitor moorings where we're collecting a Tesco delivery this afternoon, will stay the night and move on tomorrow morning.

The black swan is getting hassled by a mute swan ...

who really doesn't want foreigners on his patch

and the mute swan's cygnet ...

is getting in on the act too.

I stopped looking now and hoped the black swan survives these bullies.

Just after seven that evening I was pleased to see him again ...

and threw him some bread

(wholemeal seeded if you need to know this) ...

which was a mistake as I saw him turn quickly and see the horrible white swan in battleship mode bearing down on him once again poor thing.  I feel helpless!

A pretty sky at 20:40 as the sun was setting.