Humanity’s annual reminder that we live on – and with – Planet Earth. Earth Day was first proposed by activist John McConnell in 1969 and was introduced to the world in 1970. It’s a day filled with hope and hypocrisy, but it should be celebrated by all those who hold Mother Nature dear, not justContinue reading “Earth Day, Serfdom, Foraging & Tanuki”
Tag Archives: foraging
Firewood from the Forest – Real Country Cottage Life in Eastern Europe
This is the reality of rural living, especially in such a remote area as the Carpathian Mountains of East Slovakia. Winter is fast approaching and it’s a last minute rush to get in as much wood as possible to provide heating during the cold months. Last Winter lasted much longer than expected – until May,Continue reading “Firewood from the Forest – Real Country Cottage Life in Eastern Europe”
Mushroom Picking – Experience Nature and Understand Who You Are
Back in the forests of the Carpathian Mountains of East Slovakia, this time looking for birch bolete and cep (porcini) mushrooms. After seeing the prices of cep (and we’re not going to even mention black or white truffles) in the Italian speaking Istria region of Croatia, and how much visitors are charged to spend aContinue reading “Mushroom Picking – Experience Nature and Understand Who You Are”
Angry Adder
Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the wood pile… Yesterday, shortly after my brother had picked up some wood from the pile he keeps outside my house and then left, I noticed a cat playing with a snake on the road. It was pawing it and as the snake lungedContinue reading “Angry Adder”
Champignon mushrooms!
Finally, we’re starting to see some edible fungi, although still not in any quantities worth mentioning. Winter is fast approaching, which means mushroom season – if there even is one this year – will be short. We found a couple of rings of champignons (Agaricus bisporus), or the common button mushroom favoured as part ofContinue reading “Champignon mushrooms!”
Wild strawberries
There is currently an abundance of wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca) in my area. It makes going for a walk a very pleasant experience. They’ll finish very soon and be replaced by other berries. Wild cherries are also ripe at the moment.
The Delicacy and the Deadly
A Birch Bolete growing beneath a Destroying Angel…. Both are abundant at the moment
Twin mushrooms
The mushroom season continues and the forest is now thick with them thanks to the alternating heatwave and rainstorms. These are two Birch Boletes, one of the two fungi we forage for. There’s an old saying locally that when you find one look for its brother….
Carpathian Adventure 