Steam trains (well nearly) and bugs

Eldest daughter didn't want to go out yesterday so the youngest got to choose where we should head. She fancied The Bug Park which was about an hour away. Bugs aren't my favourite thing in the world but after a look on the map, The Bug Parc was very close to Whitwell and Reepham Railway. As a bit of a train freak my immediate thought was to kill two birds with one stone!

We headed to Whitwell and Reepham station first getting diverted down a bunch of horrible single track roads due to road closures. It was a lot of faff for a really disappointing visit. Nothing was running, there was a cafe and unmanned shop/museum. Thankfully it was free so it wasn't too much of a problem.

Some pretty knackered rolling stock.

A very cold looking steam train. Agecroft No.3 was built in 1951 by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn. It was intended for Bolton power station, was loaned to Chaddderton power station but ended up at Agecroft Colliery in 1954.

After about 5 mins we hopped back in the car for the 5 minute journey to The Bug Parc (not a typo, that's what it's called). Annoyingly we ended up heading down the roads that were advertised as closed ... and were not.

We paid for entry on arrival which was average. As a responsible adult (ha!) I got to wear the wristband to prove that we hadn't just wondered in. First stop was Comstock House which contained:

• Millipedes and isopods
• Stick and leaf insects
• Leaf cutting ants
• Beetles

Now, to be clear I absolutely hate millipedes! I say I hate them - I've never been exposed to them before but they make my skin crawl.

Giant African Millipede

Cameroon Green Stripe

Didn't note down what this one is so we'll just call it Millipedus Horribilus.

Phobaeticus Magnus or massive stick insect.

Tisamenus sp. cunayan (another stick insect).

And another, macleay's spectre.

Hooded Katydid/Tropical Leaf Katydid.

Mexican Red Knee tarantula.

Salmon Pink Bird-eating Tarantula.

Some kind of massive snail about the size of a fist.

Youngest daughter's favourite of the day was this little crab.

The scorpion room was pretty cool. You could trigger ultraviolet lights and they would glow in the dark.

The Bug Parc is still under development so I imagine we'll visit again next year to see what's new.