Had the most incredible walk in the Forest this afternoon in a mixed woodland west of Beaulieu.
Absolutely alive with fungi and stirred an old passion in me which I now intend to indulge once I get a new digital camera. Saw Fly Agaric (the red and white spotty one that pixies live under) nearly a foot tall, and it seemed to be the weekend that everything was in bloom. Loads of these - easy to tell the kids not to touch, being so obvious - and I reckon probably at least another 20 species without really trying. Wood Blewitts literally everywhere, and many flowering just today and still being that crazy shade of purple. What else? Ceps in abundance, and loads of which have been kicked about by people so in the bag for dinner tomorrow! Not sure of all these being the same species, but there is so much variety within Cep especially that its hard to even identify them at all.
Blusher, Sulphur tuft, skwillions of Champignon, rollrings etc and I think even a few really nasty (but beautiful) Panther Caps.

Top tip - obviously, if you can't identify it, don't try to eat it!
Poisonous toadstools usually have a 'skirt' or a bulge ('volva') somewhere around the (usually white) stem.

Excellent late season Emperor Dragonfly too nearly 10cm long that Elsi tried to chase (!!!). Watched it for ages patrolling a stream edge. I never realised before that the irridiscent blue is very short lived and the older males fade as the season progresses. This one was distinctly yellow.
Red Admiral, a dozen or so Roe deer and a handful of donkeys - best way I can think of spending two hours this time of year.
Some of the trees are beginning to turn now, but again its later than ever.

I do adore the New Forest at this time of year, and especially as the seasons slowly shift a few weeks. This half term marks the end of the 'tourist season' now that the clocks have gone back and October comes to close. Most attractions, holiday camps etc are closing their doors, and our map and VG sales show a sharp decline throughout the month.
People are MAD! This is the 'end' of the season?? Surley it is the beginning.
The Forest is at its most beautiful between now and Christmas especially, but has a charm that goes throughout the winter when its forsty and occasionally, in snow, it becomes almost magical.
But no, that's fine - you can all f*k off now, with yer cars and your pink and white clothing (careful not to get the 4x4 dirty in that nasty mud...) and leave the place to us as knows how to read it.
Kids haven't had such a good day out for ages, with old friends the eldest have known all their lives. Hide and seek in the ferns. Poohstcks. Handfuls of excellent clay they will model with as it dries out through the week and a skwillion "Apricorns".