The outdoors - your local supermarket

I have been exploring the countryside for over 25 years, but its only in the last few that I've become increasingly interested in the bounty there is to be had - for free!

The hedgerows are full of fruits and berries, while cobs, beech and chestnuts abound. You just have to know where and when to look. I have often found plums, raspberries and loganberries growing wild and many farmers are happy to give you apples, pears and cherries. A smile and cheery hello works wonders.

But my true passion is fungi.

Mushrooms are to be found throughout the seasons, but spring though autumn sees a harvest of colour and shapes bursting into our woods and meadows. With names like Poison Pie, Jew's Ear, Plums and Custard and The Death Cap (now there's a fungus!), I'm fascinated by these often hated and mistrusted organisms.

THE SILENT HUNT

The term fungi often conjures up images of unpleasant and unpalatable 'growths' but actually fungi covers an expansive group including mushrooms, yeasts, mould and toadstools. When you learn to identify the edible variety, it transforms the daily routine of walking the dog into the Silent Hunt (a Russian term for searching for mushrooms).

Most of us have access to woods, fields and meadows and these are ideal places to look for mushrooms. Dawn or early morning is preferable as maggots like to eat them too! Heavy rain during the night also spoils the hunt. Mushrooms are 80% water so the rain causes them to become an inedible mush, unless you can find a sheltered spot.

When looking for edible mushrooms always take an informative field guide or even better, an experienced mushroom collector. This will improve your confidence when preparing and cooking your finds. There are numerous comprehensive books available and are a must for knowledgeable and safe collecting and like myself, you will find the range of edible mushrooms is amazing.

A SMALL BORING BIT

Mushrooms are extraordinary living things. They exist without leaves, roots or stalks and as they contain no chlorophyll, they are unable to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Originally classified as plants, scientists who studied fungi in depth realised they were totally unique and gave them their own 'kingdom', separate from plants and animals.

Boring bit over!

PHOTOS

I hope my fungi photo gallery furthers your interest. But please, if you do not intend to eat your find then leave it for others to admire. Thanks.

DISCLAIMER Some fungi can cause severe and distressing symptoms, even death. I or Lewesonline cannot be held responsible for any illness or injury caused during the picking or eating of wild fungi. Always consult an expert or be sure to have correctly identified your find.