The long road back home...

Having survived cold, grey weather during most of our week on Orkney, the weather turned hot and sunny for the very long drive home. We thought it would be criminal to waste all the sunshine, so after a very nice breakfast at the hotel, we headed towards the Ochil Hills and found a parking area which gave access to the Reservoir Trails.

We didn't go too far, but climbed up to Glensherup reservoir, where we were amazed to see thirteen boats full of trout fishermen. I was amazed they didn't get their lines tangled, some of them were so close. We continued a little further up the hill and found a broad clearing among the conifer plantations, warm, sunny and filled with flowers and insects. Pete caught a few of the latter (surprise, surprise) and I photographed some, including this common hawker Aeshna juncea, a very common species of acid pools in the north and west of Britain, but which doesn't occur around Peterborough.

Eventually it was time to hit the road. The journey was uneventful but boring, although a cup of tea and sandwich at the farm shop on the A66 was a welcome diversion. We arrived home to be greeted rapturously by the dogs, and somehat less so by the two younger boys and cats (Chris was in the bath!)

The house was intact, all the pets were well fed and exercised and the boys had enjoyed living like students while we were away. They'd kept all their beer, cider and other drink cartons and made a sculpture with them on the living-room table. They assured me that they'd had quite a bit of help, and it sounded as though they'd had friends round nearly every day. However, they obviously hadn't caused any trouble, as a close neighbour hadn't even realised that we'd been away!

Chris finally emerged and then proceeded to cook us a very good chilli con carne for tea. I'm already looking forward to the next holiday without them! :)