From the choice of newly discovered walks we take each year it's 50-50 whether we return. There are varying reasons why some don't pan out - from finding cows to completely overgrown paths or routes which are too road-heavy there's often things to scupper a circuit. You might think that rural Norfolk must have hundreds of paths to explore but to be honest in our patch, which I would extend to an hours' drive, there is a woeful shortage of good circular paths to take. Footpaths which don't lead anywhere are my main annoyance.




The tracks lead us past fields of pigs which up until then had't concerned me unduly. However, they were munching away in their toughs by our path which drew to my attention their vast size and hunger, not to mention the mere two strands of wire separating us. They certainly tanked into the troughs. Another field held pigs who weren't eating and instead were more curious about passers by - I assume it's not often they encounter people. One accidentally touched the electric wire and had a big old squeal and a dash off which caused a chain reaction of each section of pigs in turn making a charge towards the central complex. My heart was thumping at a heck of a rate and all I could think was that if they u-turn and charge back again it would only take one pig to slip in the mud to take out those 2 strands of wire then a whole field of pigs would be chasing us with nowhere to go. Pigs run fast and they are frighteningly huge. Oh and I'm sure they eat anything, including fallen pedestrians. That was a stressful few minutes. More so as I knew our walk required a further 2 field boundaries with pigs. I did hatch a plan to bolt for the trees and climb up a sizeable tree as I doubt pigs can climb and at some point they would get bored and wander off or help would arrive. 












All I could think was, is that a PIG? Oh no, it's a deer, phew.


I don't think I'll return in a hurry.
Take care,
Sophie

On my list of plans for Autumn I specifically remember noting that we wanted to forage sweet chestnuts. Two weeks ago we took a little trug bucket and set off for a spot we had previously found some nuts. It became immediately apparent that we were too late; nothing on the tree and only empty, spent husks on the ground. It looked like we had missed it by a mile, which made me feel immensely guilty as this is one of C's favourite treats. Last year we found some good trees on a walk but it was a long way from home and the thought of heading off for a long drive only to find we had missed those as well sounded like a poor use of time. I resigned myself to the fact we would have to buy them this time and remain more vigilant next year.
However, on Sunday we set off for a new walking destination and found plenty of sweet chestnut trees with nuts to collect! It was unexpected and we took home a couple of handfuls. Sweet chestnuts can vary in size and its only the medium and large sizes which are any use. If you're not already 100% sure then make sure you take a reference when foraging so you don't muddle them up with conkers which are NOT EDIBLE. Caution should be used and always look up to check you've not got a sweet chestnut and horse chestnut tree side by side.


Have you been gathering sweet chestnuts? Ours were roasted and nibbled that same evening.
Take care,
Sophie

Oh the fairytale cuteness of the fly agaric. It's often we see a perfect one, more often that not they're either kicked over, munched or turning to soup, all of which I can respect but to see one or two intact makes me very happy. Over the last month we've seen more than the last decade combined.




We've spotted more since so we may yet be in for a further installment of fly agaric magic.
Take care,
Sophie

I wasn't ready for November.
I've not yet got comfortable with autumn so far; it's either baltic or somehow warm so whatever I'm wearing is wrong. From numb fingers and goosey neck to just stifling trapped in a long sleeved roll-neck it's all been uncomfortable to date. I'm grumpy about the inflicted onset of heavy weather and dark days not to mention autumn.
This tunic from Zara hangs in my wardrobe all year round taunting me. I wear it once annually as a top which I have to disguise it's mass of length yet as a dress it's far too thin and short. Yet I cannot part with it, no matter how often I can't wear it.
A brief interjection of light - it made me beam with pleasure.

Back to the usual dull.
I had a scare with my thumb ring on public transport a while ago. I'd been wearing it all day then realised it wasn't present and had a panic. Looking on my lap, under my seat, on the floor..but nothing. From recollection I found the ring in the ground years ago and liked the weird owl face. It wasn't of value as far as I knew, likely worthless but it is one I've worn countless times as I love it. My heart braced itself not to be too upset, these things do happen and shouldn't be dwelled on.
It was several days later I found it in my handbag where I presume it fell off while I was digging around for something else. The elation to realise it was still with me!!! Irrational, I know.

Hope your week is a super productive one.
Take care,
Sophie

Many more from the forest floor. Such abundance and variety to be seen this year, long may it continue.






I did want to identify this small amount of fungus growing on a dead bough. It looks like a small hedgehog and could be the beginnings of yellow brain fungus which we spotted last year.
Whilst we were out in the woodland and I was merrily snapping away at mushrooms a chap approached who also shared an interest in the fungus growing locally. He had found a black variety of the yellow brain fungus which was intriguing. It's not often you talk slime with random people you meet.



These three were determined to get through the leafy carpet.
The aftermath. Gross.

These look downright crusty.




I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Take care,
Sophie