BurbleChaz

Today started out crappy with 100% cloud cover and a threat of rain, just like every day for the past fourteen decades. After a miserable morning, the Bureau of Meteorology came good on their promise and the clouds rolled away eastwards.

We took our bikes down to Westgate Park in the cool afternoon sun. This was the first time that The Other Cyclist had been out since The Incident. Confidence is returning. I hope.

Once the pesky gravitationally-bound fusion reactor had dropped below the horizon, we started scanning the sky for signs of Comet McNaught. There was far too much ambient light until about an hour after sunset, when we first spotted it. Hugs and happiness abounded. I may even have stopped moaning about the weather for a few minutes.

It's a long-period comet from the Oort Cloud, with a ridiculously eccentric orbit. Its period (if it is actually periodic) will be measured in tens of millions of years.

As the twilight faded, it became clearer, and we could see more and more of the tail. It would have been better without Melbourne's ambient light, but it was a magical sight anyway. Before I point you at a treat, you have to look at my pictures. Patience, people.

Thistle flower in the setting sun

Moody sunset over the Yarra. A boat's wake is breaking on the shore.

Well done. Now here's your goodie.