It’s mid June. We know this because it says so on the calendar, there are baby birds everywhere, there’s too much daylight, the Isle of Wight Festival has just happened – and it is cloudy, wet and chilly. I have tried – and failed – to get out to see comet C/2009 R1 McNaught, every time I have planned to observe it, clouds have interfered. Hopefully, the weather will improve soon; the weather forecast is looking a bit better from tomorrow.