A firm favourite

For those of us who enjoy wandering in the woodlands in Autumn finding
this always raises the spirits.
It is, as many of you will know, Fly agaric.
It is widely regarded as a much loved symbol of the world of Fungi. I would almost 
say it was iconic if I didn’t think that word was overused.

For most of us it is associated with the world of fairies, pixies and elves.
It appears in many classical paintings, in children’s story books, in Disney’s film Fantasia
and even in Super Mario computer games.

So where does the Fly come from? Well apparently if it is crushed and mixed with milk it makes an effective insecticide.

It is said to be poisonous but in some parts of the world it is eaten when it has been boiled twice.
It is also claimed to have psychodelic effects.

Having walkedthe woods round here for 26 years I know a number of places where it is likely to
be found. But it is always a great pleasure, as it was today, to find a new site just fifteen minutes from my front door.