They danced like Spanish Horses

I was itchy with anticipation today.  

The butterflies have to be released no more than 3 days after hatching because they will start with the twittervating. 

The weather this morning was forecast windy and wet.  But it was to dry by 4 and clear.  We figured it would be an ideal time to release them after work, at the allotment in the evening sunshine. 

At 5 pm it was pissing down and still windy. 

at 615, the sun came out, the rain dried up and the wind died down.

So up to the allotment, we went, and very carefully sat Gary, Jason, Howard, Mark, and Robbie on the picnic table and allowed them time to feel the sun on their wings, feel the breeze blowing past them,

Jason was first. he had been flying round the the net since we arrived, as soon as the net was open; he was gone.  Up into the air,  higher than I would have expected and took off towards the trees... .higher than high... he was about 30 feet in the air, when I lost sight. 

Robbie was next - he went in the opposite direction - but again - so high and up to the sky. 

Gary then came out; a little slowly - up and round Himself, and then round the water butt; and then came back round and settled on a sunflower.  

Si had to lift the orange segment out of the net which Mark was sitting on,   he was stuffing his face  on the juice before he took off... once he was out, he soared, to the top end of the allotment - they were all taking off in different directions, but all to the tops of the trees. 

Then there was howard, he's always been a bit slow.  

We flattened the sides of the net, and he looked up and around, and then he was off. 

Up up up and then he was gone. 

I feel kind of empty now.