Fritillary on Thistle Flowers

We were expecting Tommy and Inca back from their long hike yesterday at about 6pm, but when it got to 8.30pm and they were still not back and we could not contact them as they were out of range, I started getting really worried. Sunset was at about 9pm and I started imagining all sorts of horrible scenarios. Just as I was wondering if we should call a mountain rescue centre they phoned, and wanted us to pick them up from the other end of the village. Whew, what a relief to hear that they were safe. Their hike was 11 hours long - they did stop and enjoy the scenery in places, and they had to go back to get Tommy's spectacles that they left behind in the refuge hut where they stopped for a rest, which added an extra 1.5 hours to their hike, but it still was a significantly long and challenging hike - but they loved it!

Today the forecast was for rain, but as usual we woke up to bright skies and sunshine. Gavin and I took Xena for a walk where I photographed more butterflies, as can be seen here. I also saw a large swallowtail but I could not get close enough to get a decent photo. 

Tommy and Inca played tennis today, and Luke and Meriel had a short walk. The rain came down after lunch and it is raining now so the usual routine of 9 holes of golf at 5.30pm has been cancelled. We cannot complain about the rain, it is needed and it has been such fabulous weather here since we arrived.

Sadly today was Tommy and Inca's last day. They packed up this afternoon and then it was a mad rush to get to the station (they tend to leave everything to the last minute...) where they are getting the train back to Zurich to then fly back to London. Tomorrow they go on holiday with Inca's family to Herm, and need to get the train to Southampton to fly to Guernsey. Luckily the train strikes won't affect their journey.