In the garden . . . these flowers don't seem to care

 

On the steep bank at the west side of the garden

As the media in Britain report that the country is on the brink of disaster because of  snow, freezing conditions etc. these "weeds" don't seem to care.  

Winter, down on the farm the oak tree is dead . . .

 

Winter, and down on the farm the oak tree is dead . . . it may fall with the promised gales, snow and ice. The tree, or at least what is left of it, is less than 100 years old. It saw an American  bomber crash  just yards away during the Second World War and all occupants killed. In the woodland deer roam freely, and in the fields there are curlews, magpies, wood pigeon among other birds. The tree has been holed by green woodpeckers, and foxes stalk prey throughout the fields and barns.

 

A Fieldfare and Mandarin duck

 

A Fieldfare in the meadow 

 

A Mandarin duck basking in the sun that is reflecting on the pond

 

The Fieldfare is not so plentiful in England this year and he is oblivious to the snow and horrific weather we are experiencing according to the media.

 

The Mandarin duck is also unaware that it cannot swim on the deep frozen ponds! In the press yesterday, one was able to read that last night would be colder than on Mount Everest. It all leads one to ask just what is happening in Britain? The media appear to make it up as they go along, and the politicians are determined to scare the life out of the electorate. Weak government rules by fear and in Britain a general election is nearing.

 

Down the garden . . the first aconites and violets

 

 

In Britain the media are still scaring the populace with stories of inclement weather

and terror on the streets. The good people of Arizona don't realise how fortunate they are.

 And no-one can be as lucky as those living in Langley, Virginia. However, nothing can beat the tranquillity of a proper English garden.

 

 

A few of the first of this years aconites with some cyclamen among them. Aconites

 are toxic and may cause poisoning in handled without gloves.

 

 

And the first of this years violets

 

 Violets have both medicinal and culinary uses. It is used internally

for the treatment of some cancers. An excess taken internally can cause

vomiting. It is also used in salads and made into tisanes and food flavouring.

 

 

At he bottom of the garden the oak trees look resplendent in the winter sun

As the British media panic about the weather, here, at the bottom of the garden

 the English oak trees look resplendent in the winter sun. Notice the swelling buds

 that indicate that spring is not far away.

 

Down on the farm the sheep don't seem to care

 

Down on the farm and whilst the British media are shouting about the country

 grinding to a halt because of snow, torrential rain, and diabolical gales, the sheep

 don't appear to care.

 

 

A few steps to the east and different settings on the camera.

 

Edible wild fungus

 

In the garden

 

Gathered in the forest

 

For us, holly berries are not as prolific as last year, so I am reminded that during the late Victorian period many families painted dried peas red to make up for a shortage, and of course for jolly family entertainment.

 

The edible wild fungus harvest has been okay this autumn, but too many "nice" people have been going into the forest not gathering just for themselves, but primarily to sell. The fungus forays that are designed to educate people, and as such this is a good thing, however, to they show people where to look. This, some argue, means that there is considerable over-picking and a decline in the spread of spores for next and future years.

 

The  fungi shown here were chopped to a smaller size and then fried in hand made un-salted butter only, that way, one could taste each individual piece without any other flavouring.

 

Wild fungi should be laid out on a plain light coloured surface and the brushed clean, the aim of which is to remove other plant debris and creepy crawlies. Cooked in a sherry flavoured double cream sauce with a pinch of chopped Scotch Bonnet chillies may be popular in some rubber tyre restaurants but it is not for me.

 

The Hedge hog mushroom (Hydnum repandrum), that is the white one in the foreground, has a sweet and nutty flavour, and it is that nutty flavour that can be accentuated with a dash of good dry sherry, however, though some  chefs think this is a good thing, it can destroy the subtlety of flavour that the experienced fungus eater looks for. The chantrelle, they are the yellow ones, are often fried in olive oil, smothered in chopped broad leaf parsley with a smear of raspberry coolie on the side. This is extremely popular with men who have no idea but have plenty of money. In one rubber tyre establishment I saw one group have a good bottle of Gewurztraminer with it! And the sommelier congratulated them on their choice! At least he knew.