Holly

There were a lot of Holly Blue butterflies earlier in the spring, and the same seems to be true for the second brood which is very evident now. The path down through the village to the river is fringed with ivy a lot of the way, and I saw a dozen or so flitting along. 

I did a circuit of the nature reserve before heading up to the football at Thackley. It is the opening  (Extra Preliminary) round of the FA Cup this weekend and Thackley were hosting higher ranked Ramsbottom United of Bury.

The home team wasted a number of good chances in the first half only for the visitors to take the lead, but a late and deserved equaliser means that there will be replay over the Pennines in mid week.