Dabton
Thornhill
Monday June 16^th 1873

My dear Papa,

We got back today from our Arran expedition all right: We made an early start, as John wished to be back by the middle of the day, and there are only two boats in the day – the second one would only have allowed us to arrive here late in the evening – So we got up at half past five, & breakfasted at half past six: and the boat left at seven – It was a very bright and hot morning, and a good many of our fellow travellers at the Hotel were going at the same time there was quite a large table d’hote breakfast – so that it did not appear so early as it was – We had to wait at several places by the way, altogether about an hour and a half, and yet we reached Thornhill Station at 11.23. which shows what a short distance off Arran really is: I was very much delighted with the scenery of the island which is more grand than I expected – but I was rather disappointed with the wild flowers and ferns of which one has heard so much – I did not see one uncommon plant, though I looked in all the most likely places we came to – Our weather was beautiful – not one drop of rain the whole time – a little windy one day, but very bright & clear & hot sun, so between the wind and the sun, I have got dreadfully sun-burnt, though I wore a broad-brimmed hat – I am quite surprised at learning from Ela’s letter, which I found here today that you have wet & unsettled weather – but Jack says the same from Malvern – so I suppose it will come here in time – The farmers are crying out dreadfully for rain, and they say there will be no hay crop, as the grass is so short! I never wrote to thank you for sending me the little pamphet [sic], it was very careless of me: Will you give love to all

your most affec^te daughter
Tilly

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^r.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham-