Today was the first of two annual antiques fairs at Norwich Showground - the next will be in October. Linda and I always look forward to these events, although we don't necessarily buy anything: it's just a great way to spend a couple of hours! Today, however, I added to my collection of Uranium glass, while Linda bought a piece of Wade, some bee-keeping equipment and a pair of vintage earrings.
The launch videos of Artemis 2 were absolutely incredible: in the fulness of time, I look forward to adding some more lunar astronaut photos to my album!
It does seem hard to explain that the time difference between Apollo 17 and today's launch is more than that between Apollo 17 and the end of the First World War!
Just Brian and me now: Norman has withdrawn from our little group due to health concerns. So: the two of us drove north to Cley, starting the morning in Bishop's Hide. The 'highlight' was a Merlin that dashed through the gulls and waders at near supersonic speed: a 'year tick, but not a photo op.! A Spoonbill dozed on Pat's, occasionally waking for a stretch, while to the left of the hide a Great White Egret was much more obliging! (A pair of Common Lizards were snuggling on the Centre Hides after a fairly fruitless visit)
A stroll along the East Bank was routine: just another Spoonbill and several Mipits, with nothing on the sea, so we returned to Bishop's to avoid the drizzle. Even less on view, so coffee and scones lured us to the Visitors' Centre. A move eastwards and a walk up Gramborough Hill added just a few Stonechats to the list, so we decided to finish off at the Iron Road, Salthouse, where a flock of Twite had just been found. After a bit of a wait, we eventually saw around a dozen: never near enough for super images, but good enough for jazz! (The group photo is Brian's excellent image)
Regulus is a bright (mag 1.3) blue-white star in the constellation of Leo. Lying close to the ecliptic (the plane of the Solar System) it's not uncommon for the Moon to pass in front of Regulus: this occurred last night at around 19.30. Unfortunately it was cloudy here until 20.25,when Regulus was just emerging from the Moon's north-eastern limb. At the same time, Venus was a brilliant object just above the western horizon. (Because of their distance from Earth, stars can, of course, only be seen as points of light: the apparent disc of Regulus is a photographic artefact)
The Sun's surface is peppered with small sunspots (although this is apparently not the case on the side we can't see at the moment!) Tonight at 19.15 the Moon will pass in front of the bright star Regulus, re-emerging at around 20.22: if it's a clear night it's worth a look!
Friend Sue gifted Linda and me a pair of tickets to visit the newly-renovated Norwich Castle Museum: yesterday was our first opportunity to use them! The Castle has had a complete restructuring, giving a real feel as to how the place would have looked and functioned from its Norman origins to the modern era. The natural history displays and artwork are still present, but have been de-emphasized in keeping with current thinking: as birdwatchers, we found the stuffed birds as fascinating as ever, but somewhat moth-eaten and faded. The views from the battlements were worth the climb, despite the grey skies and drizzle.
It was an enjoyable visit (despite the lifts being out of order!) but would we have paid the regular price of £17 each? I don't think we would, to be honest.
