It’s always nice for kids to phone home when they’re away, but British astronaut Tim Peake gave his parents quite a shock when they discovered an answer machine message from space.

In the message, Tim jokes, “This is just your son calling from the International Space Station. I’m sorry you’re not in.”



Wikipedia

Tim’s parents said they were out at the weekend so missed their son’s call from outer space.

“It was quite surreal,” said dad Nigel. “We had just popped out for about an hour, came home, there’s an answer phone message: ‘Hello this is your son on the International Space Station.'”



ITV

Nigel added they won’t be deleting the unusual message any time soon.

They’re also looking forward to spending Christmas with Tim (in a way) — locals have donated a giant cardboard cut-out of Tim as a Christmas gift for his parents.



ITV

Phoning home, missing Christmas dinner… typical!

You can listen to the message Tim left his parents here.