Yellow Brain fungus

Also known as Witches' Butter, which I much prefer. Otherwise known as golden jelly fungus, tripe fungus, Tremelle jaune (French), Huang jin yin er (Chinese), Hida kikurage (Japanese), Gullkrös (Swedish) and Viltig judasoor (Dutch).

The scientific name Tremella mesenterica comes from the Latin tremere, the verb 'to tremble', referring to the jelly-like consistency of the fungus, and a combination of the Greek mesos, meaning "middle" and the prefix entero meaning 'intestine'.

Apparently it's edible. I can't help but wonder if it tastes like tripe though. The traditional way of preparing it is as a desert by boiling followed by twelve hours soaking in a sugar solution. If only I had known this when I saw it over Chapel Common this morning....

In other news, I'm wondering if Basil is becoming forgetful in his old age. Does that happen to dogs? I'll take him for a nice long walk and then half an hour later if I go anywhere near the front door he goes into excited-about-to-go-for-a-walk mode. He did, however, recognise Selina when she popped round for a cup of tea today and sat happily on her lap gazing lovingly into her eyes as he usually does, so maybe I'm worrying unnecessarily.