The Harrogate RSPB group were visiting RSPB Idle near Retford for the day, but I added on some nights in the van and stayed at a nearby CL next to some stables and behind the Bluebell Inn.
I spent the afternoon in Retford which at first view was a bit grim, but things perked up when I found the library which had a town trail leaflet, and so it was I found the Bassetlaw museum. This was quite a find, lovely artefacts - medieval and roman jewels, and a whole Anglo-Saxon boat.
The area was home to the Separatists, some of whom became the Mayflower Pilgrims after a period of religious persecution (good job we don't have that any more eh?)
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| Clark's laundry mural |
Sadly this former market town seemed completely devoid of any food shops so off to Morrisons to stock up, which was a shame.
The next day it was off to RSPB Idle, a MASSIVE reserve which we only saw half of in the 5 miles we walked. It is a quiet time of year but I still saw my first hobby, and some marsh harriers, swifts and egrets. The most beautiful sight was a group of turquoise damselflies in the reeds by a stream (banded demoiselles).
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| Three Little Bird(watcher)s |
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| Common blue damselfly |
