Put your virtual walking shoes on and join me on my morning walk for the Guardian in rural Fife.
We’ve had so much rain recently, it’s very wet underfoot and my expensive wellies didn’t last long before the heel split so for me it’s a wet walk eventually as the dampness penetrates my two pairs of socks, at least virtual walkers don’t have that to contend with! I refuse to buy another pair of expensive but useless wellies.
The trees are probably at their best just now, soon the leaves will be battered to the ground by rain or wind.
It’s not only the trees that are providing interest at the moment, various fungi are doing their thing too. It has been a great year for them due to the very wet summer we had; puffballs appeared in my garden in June, they’re a pain in the neck.
I think these ones are Cantharellus cibarius, apparently edible but I’d be too scared to try them just in case they’re poisonous.
I think the one below is Grifola frondosa, edible but with a mouse-like smell!
I think the one below is a Coprinus comatus, edible unless the gills have started to liquefy! The camera didn’t pick it up but this one looked really beautiful as the raindrops encased all around it like diamonds and pearls, but even better.
Back to the path and the acers are looking grand.
Walking under the trees here is special and I can see why doctors have started to prescribe patients a course of woodland walks to help their mental health.
There aren’t quite enough leaves here to dance along while scuffing through them, I’ll have to wait a bit for that harmless but daft bit of seasonal fun. I hope you enjoyed your walk with me.