There once was an ugly duckling

This cygnet was on the murky-looking water of the River Avon today (that is Avon with the emphasis on the "A" rather than the "von" as we often hear nowadays, when people pronounce it the American way, like the cosmetics). 
There has been so much rain in the last couple of days, that the river was quite high, and the water was a really muddy colour. 
This little chap's mum and dad were not far away - and they were pristine white.
Last night's "Guinea pig supper" was a resounding success. No, we were not eating Guinea pig. We were trying out some recipes with our hosts and some more friends.