We decided on Attenborough Nature Reserve for an expedition a few weeks ago. It had come up in conversation with visiting birdwatchers on the farm and it occurred to me that I hadn’t been there for about 10 years.
I started to remember why very soon after arrival. For one thing, the reserve is a series of gravel pits, and gravel pits on a murky December morning can be a bit bleak. For another, there isn’t much else to it. There’s no ruin or old trees.
First stop was the cafe. It’s so long since I’ve been to Attenborough that they hadn’t built it last time I was there. It wasn’t very welcoming. Some people who arrived after us started moving chairs around, including a couple on our table. They seemed to be regulars from the way they spoke to the staff, and clearly felt we were in their way.
After that one of the staff members started telling them that despite her years of experience nobody listens to her, and they had put the Christmas tree in the wrong place.
It’s a decent cafe (with shop, toilets, classrooms and a sand martin nest bank/hide) but after our experience on the farm we just don’t want workplace politics with our scones.
The nature area at the back of the cafe has several things of interest, including three sorts of bug hotel, all pictured below.
Add that to being trapped in the sand martin hide whilst a lecture was delivered, loud conversations, brightly-clad joggers and a man letting his dog chase ducks. It all adds up to an uncomfortable experience.
It seems, from postings on the website, that the bustle doesn’t upset the wildlife and the habitat is some of the best in Europe. It’s also clearly well-used by many people for a variety of recreational and educational purposes. You can’t really fault it when you look at it like this.
It could have been so good…
Ah well, we’ll just have to give it another try in the New Year. I’m sure it has lots of good points, but the last thing we needed at this point was cafe politics (read previous posts if you want to see why).
Pingback: Helping Insects | quercuscommunity
Pingback: Rutland Water | quercuscommunity
Happy New Year! I hope 2017 brings all good things for you.
I am sorry you had to be assaulted with workplace politics.
Yes, it’s a bit more relaxed now we are free of politics. 🙂
Pingback: Idle Valley Nature Reserve | quercuscommunity
I enjoyed my visit last summer, but I was surprised by how busy it was. In the summer, you can sit outside the cafe which is very pleasant and perhaps you would be less likely to overhear any cafe bickering there too.
Yes, I’m going to spend 2017 looking for the good in things, so we will be back. 🙂
I usually try to avoid New Year’s resolutions, but I’m very struck by “I’m going to spend 2017 looking for the good in things”. Think I might adopt that one myself.
Yes, I’ve tried to avoid most resolutions over the last few years. 🙂
Good pics, but otherwise I can’t see why you would want to go back
No, it’s not even that convenient for travel. 🙁
Very nice photos of the birds you saw. Happy New Year Simon! I hope the new year brings some good news for you and better health and fortune 🙂
Thanks – I’m sure 2017 9s going to be good – maybe even my best year yet! Happy new Year. 🙂
I hope that you can get another better visit. It seems like a promising, if rather bleak place.
Yes, we will be giving it another go soon. Happy New Year. 🙂
Hope you can get there in the New Year!
Yes, we will give it another try. :-0
https://pacificparatrooper.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/happy-new-year-fireworks-animation-sync.gif
Thanks, Happy new year to you too.