Wood Blewit mushroom

 As most of my Buzzard Buddies know, I'm not a great fan of mushrooms, I think they're over rated, they steal the limelight from other more worthy forageable contenders and they all taste like feet. 

I do however like finding them but I'm not as good at identifying them as I would be with plants and seaweeds.

This one however I'm pretty sure is a wood blewit, the colour, smell and cap shape are pretty obvious give aways.

I do love the bluey purpley colour of it and they were quite numerous in this new wee forest we found.

Quite a distinct fungi amd although I know they're edible I also know they can cause allergic reactions in some people, so personally I'll bring them home for a friend who does like a nibble on them but me, I'll be happy with a nice plump pheasant!! 

 

 

Reindeer moss

 This is one of those special lichens that you find at this time of year in certain areas of coniferous forest.

We found this patch quite recently when out for the weekend and exploring. 

It's quite distinctive from a distance and quite easy to spot once you get your eye in.

Its one of those rare plants that has a wide range from Arctic tundra to quite southern latitudes. The interesting thing for the bushcrafter is that it's edible to humans, not just reindeer.

I've read that it's both bitter and acidic so it needs to be boiled in 2 changes of water. However I've also read it can be eaten raw and even was used as a cure for kidney stones in some localities.

I did try some of this patch raw and I could taste the acidity from it, though the texture and taste was quite pleasant.

I think I need to look into this excellent find a little more and see just what I can do with it.