A 'Shrooming we will go..........

A view over Minley Farm looking in the direction of Fleet and Farnham at about 4.30 as the sun set on another beautiful day spent with Caroline and Bob and a motley crew of canine buddies (it was a mixture of thick fog patches in the morning and bright sunshine by late afternoon), and  I wend my way home weary but very happy indeed; with plans to make wild mushroom soup  from all the various species of edible fungi collected over the past week.



Coming right up to date this morning, after the best night's sleep ever since this journey began and before I head off into the distance down the M4 to Sherston to see Ian (into the path of some pretty atrocious, wet and windy weather by all accounts), I will say that last night's supper was hugely successful: being unaware of my plans Geraldine had brought home a microwaveable ready-to-go curry; very thoughtful after our respective busy days. But I was still raring to go so spent the evening making the tastiest wild mushroom soup ever, using Cauliflower Fungus, Wood Blewits, Oyster Mushrooms and Winter (Trumpet)Chanterelles - garnished with sautéed Chanterelles and Wood Hedgehogs and roasted Walnuts and Hazel cobs. (We usually abhor tins of mushroom soup, likening them to heated up dish water, but this stuff was seriously tasty, tasty very, very tasty!)

Cauliflower Fungus

Winter (Trumpet)  Chanterelle

Wood Blewit

Half of the choice ingredients were supplied by Julie Campbell, Leader of the local ABFG Foray Group - 'Shrooms, (hence the title of todays' episode) with whom I sallied forth last Sunday morning on a very successful outing at Church Crookham. So thank you for your generosity and companionship lovely lady; even though, as can be seen from the next photo, you did reject my application to join the Snake Tongue Truffle Club (Cordyceps ophioglossoides to you too!)

[Glad to see that, at least today, Julie's 'collar and cuffs' do match, but suggest that some urgent personal grooming is required in the nether regions  ;O) ]



Despite some atrocious driving conditions on the M4, the trip to Sherston was a real pleasure and it was so good to see Ian and Annette in high spirits with that ol' twinkle in the eyes again. Ian's home grown, home cooked vegetable soup was as good and as filling as ever. Thank you both for the cracking Xmas present, which, as you hinted, Geraldine gave me permission to open on returning home - your winning smiles will be the first photo to get printed as a reminder that cancer is the only loser in our world, and that the warmth and happiness radiating around that huge rambling kitchen in the Crouch homestead means we will overcome whatever lays ahead. As long as Netty has hugs to spare and share I will be back soon to the Cotswolds for more of this tonic:

Sherston, Wiltshire (Crouch homestead central on skyline with two chimneys)

N.B. In my rush to get safely home and out of the fierce winds and driving rain I have lost yet another (3 now in quick succession) cell phone when I stopped at Membury Services to fill up with petrol. Heard a clunk as I got out the car and it fell from my pocket, but it did not register and after a cursory glance around the forecourt and under the car I abandoned any further searching not realising the significance and the implications. Consequently I was more concerned carrying out a frantic search of all my various pockets, in trousers, shirt and gilet, for the one and only credit card that would prevent me being marooned with an empty tank. I am retitling the following song "Incommunicado" C'est la vie!: