Wootton Bassett

I thought I had today's blip done and dusted on my outward journey today, when I photographed a metal barn in a place called Highway. However, on my way home from visiting friends I paused on the outskirts of Wootton Bassett to have a quick look at another canal.

There is a short restored section there of the Wilts and Berks Canal that I mentioned the other day. I was pleased with the shots I got and had trouble choosing just one. I used the criteria of what would I remember about the day, which led me to this mute swan.

The swan was sitting across the towpath, with its partner swimming in the canal nearby. Beyond it on the path were a pair of mallards and two white ducks, one blocking my view of the other. The swan looked very serene and graceful in profile, but as I went to pass it on its right to get a closer look at the ducks, its head swung round, its bill lowered, its dark eyes took on a malevolent turn and it made deep hissing sounds, and, I don't know, I began to feel I didn't need to get past it after all.