Herman 9,895 Posted October 24, 2023 There isn't a single sloe left on any of the bushes at work. Would the birds have had them away already? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,478 Posted October 25, 2023 On 24/10/2023 at 15:03, Herman said: There isn't a single sloe left on any of the bushes at work. Would the birds have had them away already? In my experience, it's the sloe gin making bastards would have had them away. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,895 Posted October 25, 2023 17 minutes ago, Wings of a Sparrow said: In my experience, it's the sloe gin making bastards would have had them away. That was our plan. Something got there before us. 😁 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,478 Posted October 25, 2023 They always do. Bastards. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benchwarmer 625 Posted October 30, 2023 (edited) The other day in pouring rain my neighbours found a budgie sheltering in their hedge. They put out a message on social media but no one's claimed it yet. You learn something new every day, and now I know how to sex a budgie! Just above the beak there's a little patch which, when they're fully grown, is blueish in males and brownish in females. And males are more talkative (yes, really!). Edited October 30, 2023 by benchwarmer 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dylanisabaddog 5,133 Posted October 31, 2023 On 24/10/2023 at 15:03, Herman said: There isn't a single sloe left on any of the bushes at work. Would the birds have had them away already? The worst year in the last 10 for sloes. God knows why. Perhaps the strange weather conditions during June and July? Although the blackberries were good. I've always picked enough sloes for 4 litres of gin from just one bush but this year it hasn't produced a single berry. I couldn't find any anywhere else. Very annoying as I use Sloe Gin for Christmas presents. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,895 Posted November 1, 2023 Some handy news for those that like a walk. Going out in or just after rain is better for you. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ryhr 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,478 Posted November 2, 2023 9 hours ago, Herman said: Some handy news for those that like a walk. Going out in or just after rain is better for you. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ryhr My mate was telling me about this on our walk from Gt Yarmouth to Burgh Castle along Breydon Water yesterday. At one point it absolutely tipped it down (well horizontal with hail mixed in) it wasn't cold, but quite invigorating. Although we had waterproofs packed, the rain was so sudden and ferocious that we were instantly soaked and didn't bother! On the plus side, we startled a short eared owl at close quarters, saw 4 cattle egrets and also Curlews and black tailed godwits, little egrets and shelducks, where we were not hopeful of seeing much at all. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benchwarmer 625 Posted November 2, 2023 5 hours ago, Wings of a Sparrow said: My mate was telling me about this on our walk from Gt Yarmouth to Burgh Castle along Breydon Water yesterday. At one point it absolutely tipped it down (well horizontal with hail mixed in) it wasn't cold, but quite invigorating. Although we had waterproofs packed, the rain was so sudden and ferocious that we were instantly soaked and didn't bother! On the plus side, we startled a short eared owl at close quarters, saw 4 cattle egrets and also Curlews and black tailed godwits, little egrets and shelducks, where we were not hopeful of seeing much at all. I'd like to do that walk. Where does it start and how far is it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,478 Posted November 2, 2023 It's 10k give or take. We parked at Broadland Rugby club car park (opposite side to ASDA) and just followed the path alongside Breydon water to Burgh Castle. We used 2 cars and dumped one at the Rugby club and you could leave the other one at Burgh Castle Church where parking is free. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
How I Wrote Elastic Man 1,204 Posted November 6, 2023 Jæja Another eruption is looking possible and this time Mother Nature is threatening not to play nicely At risk is the town of Grindavik (where I've been working for the last year, nearly finished now), Svartsengi power station and The Blue Lagoon All the previous eruptions have been in the middle of nowhere, where they haven't caused any harm. Contingency and emergency plans are in place. Hopefully, nothing will happen, but when this part of the world starts to shake it can last for decades. Sooner or later, something important will get trashed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,542 Posted November 7, 2023 Seems that it's peak mushroom season. These were just some of (possibly 20) different types I saw on the morning dog walk (new dog...rescued... avatar attached) - up on a moorland field. Many Chanterelles and the 'magic' ones too. Looking these up, they are probably Scarlet Waxcaps. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,478 Posted November 7, 2023 24 minutes ago, sonyc said: Seems that it's peak mushroom season. These were just some of (possibly 20) different types I saw on the morning dog walk (new dog...rescued... avatar attached) - up on a moorland field. Many Chanterelles and the 'magic' ones too. Looking these up, they are probably Scarlet Waxcaps. Nice mushrooms. Cute dog 👍 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,895 Posted November 7, 2023 45 minutes ago, Wings of a Sparrow said: Nice mushrooms. Cute dog 👍 Seconded. Good to see you about @sonyc 👍 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
How I Wrote Elastic Man 1,204 Posted November 10, 2023 Blue Lagoon was closed yesterday morning. A M5.2 quake frightened the tourists and staff, so the management decided to take a 7 day break. I was in Grindavík for lunch today and we had a M4.2 quake that shook the restaurant around a bit. It's gone downhill since around 16.00 this afternoon. Loads of quakes over M3. The road to Grindavík, that I have been driving on every work day this year, including earlier today, is now closed as it is broken 😲 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hook's-Walk-Canary 213 Posted November 11, 2023 5 hours ago, How I Wrote Elastic Man said: Blue Lagoon was closed yesterday morning. A M5.2 quake frightened the tourists and staff, so the management decided to take a 7 day break. I was in Grindavík for lunch today and we had a M4.2 quake that shook the restaurant around a bit. It's gone downhill since around 16.00 this afternoon. Loads of quakes over M3. The road to Grindavík, that I have been driving on every work day this year, including earlier today, is now closed as it is broken 😲 We have our political differences, but I hope you're safe mate. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
How I Wrote Elastic Man 1,204 Posted November 11, 2023 4 hours ago, Hook's-Walk-Canary said: We have our political differences, but I hope you're safe mate. Thanks. I live in Reykjavík so I'm ok Sadly, the situation has got much worse for the people of Grindavik. The magma is believed to have moved right underneath the town and everyone has been evacuated overnight 😔 Grindavík evacuated Only time will tell how this ends 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,478 Posted November 11, 2023 2 hours ago, How I Wrote Elastic Man said: Thanks. I live in Reykjavík so I'm ok Sadly, the situation has got much worse for the people of Grindavik. The magma is believed to have moved right underneath the town and everyone has been evacuated overnight 😔 Grindavík evacuated Only time will tell how this ends Blimey, that is a worrying situation. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,542 Posted November 11, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, How I Wrote Elastic Man said: Thanks. I live in Reykjavík so I'm ok Sadly, the situation has got much worse for the people of Grindavik. The magma is believed to have moved right underneath the town and everyone has been evacuated overnight 😔 Grindavík evacuated Only time will tell how this ends Reading that news roll (which is getting updated regularly) it is so well written - everything is explained that anyone needs to know, with advice given in such a thoughtful way to residents. I think it provides an insight into the Icelandic culture somehow. I read too that some families have lost their homes where the cracks have opened up the streets. Plus there are real concerns of a repeat of 1973. Apparently over 800 earthquakes on only a few hours. Let's hope this magma channel empties soon and people can go back and infrastructure can be rebuilt. Hope you all keep safe in such a worrying time. Edited November 11, 2023 by sonyc 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
How I Wrote Elastic Man 1,204 Posted November 11, 2023 10 hours ago, sonyc said: Reading that news roll (which is getting updated regularly) it is so well written - everything is explained that anyone needs to know, with advice given in such a thoughtful way to residents. I think it provides an insight into the Icelandic culture somehow. I read too that some families have lost their homes where the cracks have opened up the streets. Plus there are real concerns of a repeat of 1973. Apparently over 800 earthquakes on only a few hours. Let's hope this magma channel empties soon and people can go back and infrastructure can be rebuilt. Hope you all keep safe in such a worrying time. It's not looking good 😔 Predictions are that this could be worse than the Westman Islands eruption of 1973. At least everyone is out of town and safe 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,542 Posted November 12, 2023 12 hours ago, How I Wrote Elastic Man said: It's not looking good 😔 Predictions are that this could be worse than the Westman Islands eruption of 1973. At least everyone is out of town and safe Yes, the latest report (reported in the early hours here) suggests an eruption could be within hours or perhaps only a couple of days, such is the speed of the flow - quite a bit of detail in this article...(and a detailed map in the Independent). https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/12/iceland-experts-predict-feared-volcanic-eruption-could-destroy-town-near-reykjavik? I'm pleased everyone has got out even though the disruption to lives and families is hard to comprehend if the expert opinion proves to be accurate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,895 Posted November 12, 2023 A lovely thread. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,542 Posted November 15, 2023 Are there any experts on mushrooms? An odd question. I'm not, but I've downloaded an app (I'm a bit of a nerd I guess) and it's opened up a lot of interest and even appreciation of them. The field where I take the dog is stuffed full of them. All kinds...a few photos to follow (maybe more later): Slimy Waxcap Fairy Ring mushrooms Dewdrop Mottlegill Blue Roundhead Pinkedge Parrot Waxcap 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,542 Posted November 16, 2023 (edited) More mushrooms from a wood walk. Mica Cap (first two). Apparently you can boil these with cloves to make a black ink. However, they are very poisonous. They have bluey edges. 3rd. Plums and Custard.... great name. 4th. Blue Cheese Polypore. 5th. Yellow Staghorn Edited November 16, 2023 by sonyc 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wings of a Sparrow 1,478 Posted November 16, 2023 15 minutes ago, sonyc said: More mushrooms from a wood walk. Mica Cap (first two). Apparently you can boil these with cloves to make a black ink. However, they are very poisonous. They have bluey edges. 3rd. Plums and Custard.... great name. 4th. Blue Cheese Polypore. 5th. Yellow Staghorn They do have great names. The yellow staghorns are cool. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,542 Posted November 16, 2023 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Wings of a Sparrow said: They do have great names. The yellow staghorns are cool. Yeh, I agree. How about Artist's Conk?! (Second photo screenshot from the app) Edited November 16, 2023 by sonyc 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 9,895 Posted November 18, 2023 Very fond memories of my uncle and dad taking me and my brothers mushroom gathering in the forests around his house. A simple way to keep kids busy for an day but we had a great old time. Handed down knowledge taught him what was edible and what was poisonous, probably a talent that is being lost sadly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,542 Posted November 18, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, Herman said: Very fond memories of my uncle and dad taking me and my brothers mushroom gathering in the forests around his house. A simple way to keep kids busy for an day but we had a great old time. Handed down knowledge taught him what was edible and what was poisonous, probably a talent that is being lost sadly. Reading up about all the kinds I've come across this last month has been an eye opener. The Mica Caps in one of the photos are nasty, a Heath Bell I came across is classified as lethal. Two others, Brown roll-rim and the Common Earthball give you stomach problems / organ failure that would no doubt lead to hospitalisation depending on how much you ingested. A few others are also advised against eating (mildly poisonous). So many mushrooms that can kill a person in a wood or in a field! And all of them discovered no doubt by folk in the Middle Ages, maybe even before. Probably best never to try any unless bought at markets. Few more here in the meantime: Snowy Waxcap Birch Polypore Buttery Collybia Smoky Polypore Edited November 18, 2023 by sonyc 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pockthorpe 543 Posted November 19, 2023 Thanks Sonyc . You inspired me to go on a fungi spotting walk this morning - it was wonderful. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonyc 5,542 Posted November 20, 2023 Those photos are fantastic @Pockthorpe, they really stand out. My groups tend to be the various Waxcaps in a moorland field (which has been fallow possibly for centuries) and a wood on the doorstep. The latter is more varied with lots of Birch, Oak, Beech and Larch - almost gothic it is to walk through. A couple more types spotted today - a Common Ink Cap family and some Elastic Oysterlings, which I think are less common. Pure white they were but the photo is not as sharp as I would have liked. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites