The surviving swan with his two cygnets came over to the Egg to say hello, just as Ruth and I were leaving after an afternoon of near constant rain. They were clearly extremely hungry and all we could find was a packet or two of oatcakes, that once softened in the puddles of rain water, seemed to be acceptable fodder.

They have never walked right up close like this before and I think an empty stomach provided the drive. The rain and cool weather kept away many people who might otherwise have been to feed them.