Jupiter and Venus

I'm not a great fan of night-time. Being able to see so little, even on a moonlit night leaves me with a vague feeling of frustration and in winter it is invariably chilly. And if it isn't raining, star-gazing gives you a crick in the neck! However, on two nights this week I have been out and about. 

The first was leading 'Nature's Nightlife' a talk and walk in the forest. With 25 people booked on I was dismayed and then resigned as, half an hour before, the heavens opened with drenching rain and a frisson of sleet. It was going to be a short wet (miserable) walk! 
However, at the last minute it stopped, the skies cleared and the stars sang out their silent song of light as hard as they could. Not only that but a crescent moon hooked itself up over the horizon and hung itself midway between Jupiter and Venus, the brightest of the planets in the inky field. Magic.
Accompanied by a pair of duelling owls, hooting from the spiky tree-tops and made more scarily exciting because torches were forbidden, the walk turned into a great and beautiful adventure.
Nevertheless, returning to the cosy yurt, imbibing hot chocolate and toasting marsh-mallows over the wood-burner, was a welcome ending and all achieved easily, bathed in bright electric light!

The picture was taken the next night - also quite clear - J &V in pretty much the same spot but the moon visiting elsewhere. It's annoying that my phone doesn't do it justice, grainy and blurry, but there, that's the reality of darkness for us diurnals.