Saturday evening notes

The foot-and-mouth virus responsible for the outbreak in Surrey has been identified - as one that is manufactured in a lab for vaccines. Foot and mouth vaccines are made at Pirbright laboratories, 3 miles from the affected farm. And the virus is known to travel on the wind; an outbreak in the Isle of Wight many years ago was traced to France, from where the virus had crossed the Channel on the wind. Anyway, it is beginning to sound like sloppy bio-security. It will be at least a week before any other outbreaks (if any) come to light, as that is the incubation period for the disease. The movement ban will remain in force for 28 days after the last infected animals are culled.

The weather has gradually improved, but the wind was quite cold when I nipped out to picture the sunset . Sun is setting an hour earlier than at the solstice, at 9.35pm. Net result, I have to be out there between 9 and 9.15 to capture any impressive sights. I think I did well with this one.