The last week of October already? Where has another month gone? It's been a bit of a dreary month with so much rain, grey skies and mud. Here's a few snaps from a day of sunshine and showers. 



I hope that people aren't stupid enough to encourage trick or treating this year. Any mixing more than necessary is reckless and I don't want the usual smashed pumpkins around the village as the selfish older kids decide to put pay to decorations. Stay home! Oh and let's hope the fireworks are contained to just the 5th, so many animals are terrified of them. Lincoln is a nervous wreck when they start going off and sadly not much we do actually settles him back down.  

 

No, I didn't need another shirt but upon seeing this Zara checked number in a charity shop I felt it would get good use. I suppose checked shirts go best with jeans or walking trousers, neither of which I wear all that often but also make for good layering and an alternative to a jumper in the warmer months.

 

I've got one eye permanently scouting for fungi at this time of year. Weird heap of slime? I'm all over it, mate. There are some cute little mushrooms, some curious ones, other magical stacks but plenty of variety to go round, that's for sure. 

Above, these are so dainty and delicate.

Above, it looks like a bicycle saddle!




Big mossy old tree stump with a few different specimens. The little round ones are like steamed buns.

A few found on my allotment in the woodchip paths.  

Above, tiny blobby fungus. 



Take care,

 

The last day of summer was savoured by us with a decadent day out to the beach. We had nipped away for a few nights earlier in the season when weather was fair but not especially hot. When the forecast announced a whole day of wall to wall sunshine, featuring no breeze and a high of 30 degrees for a Tuesday we knew it would be our final opportunity to enjoy the heat. So we headed off to the beach nice and early in the day for a time of lazing on the sand and not much else. Having failed to get into my current read, I'd brought along another book which offered a more instant immersion and fast pace. 

Ah, fly agaric, the classic fairytale toadstool. I try to photograph this species every year and although we do tend to spy a few here and there, we hardly ever find the perfect one in the perfect spot. Often they are nibbled, knocked over, decaying or look worse for wear. Sometimes they are making an attempt to rise through dense undergrowth or in a completely shaded spot. Light, as ever, is king and if they light isn't right my camera and I will have a struggle.

Here's a few recent fly agaric sightings. As always, I look but don't touch. Although these fungi are well known for their hallucinogenic properties and widespread use, I couldn't be less interested in touching any gross fungus. Nothing on earth would persuade me that something fungal ought to be ingested.  




Have you spotted the famous spotted toadstools out yet?

Faced with a whole day of rain it can put a real downer on things. Still, there is plenty to be getting on with indoors (and soon we won't have a choice with light levels dwindling). My constant suspicion of the people who love to welcome Autumn with open arms and shout about how much they love it is that they don't have to spend that long out in it. I can report that hours on end in the drizzle, rain and wind especially squelching around in the mud is a real drag which I would trade any day of the week for summer's hot sun. It's not all 20 minutes in a fluffy jacket sipping a pumpkin spiced latte  and kicking some rainbow of dry fallen leaves. *rant not nearly over, but paused for the time being in the interest of continuity*.

Above, I found this thorn apple plant growing. It's weird, with these conker like spiky balls and white trumpet shaped flowers like bindweed. The seeds are deadly poisonous so I doubt it's welcome anywhere.