Thanks Dominic.
You are likely correct about the WHT. I just assumed it might be trying to look at the sky without actually checking on its current status.
Travel to and from La Palma is straightforward for fully vaccinated European citizens. SWMBO and I had no problem getting there in late June and coming back the UK required us to have PCR tests before and after the flight this week. Passenger location forms were required by both the Spanish and UK governments. The tourist industry is recovering and accommodation levels are about 80% at peak; most visitors are from Germany and The Netherlands, but that has long been the case.