Harbour ducks

Jonathan brought these ducks home from Scouts and I am not sure whether to feel sorry for them or not!
At a price of £2 each, they will have a someones name written on their bottoms and then released into the sea at the harbour carnival. The first one out of the harbour wins the sponser a prize. Is it cruel to release innocent duckies into the big wide sea, or are they being released into freedom for grand adventures?

On a positive note I went into work today for an hour. Felt exhausted but really pleased I had done it. Maybe normality will return someday...