Suffolk walk: Suffolk Punch, Suffolk

 

10/10/21

It was beautiful autumn Sunday, Marcus wanted to do a little different. He didn't tell me where we were going until we got there; Suffolk Punch ( https://www.thesuffolkpunchtrust.co.uk/ ) It's a animal charity place in Suffolk coast. Also it is situated near a prison. ( Hollesley Bay Prison)

When I used to work in RSPCA shop long time ago, we had a lady from Suffolk Punch who came to our local area to give us some talk on what they do, rescuing horses, how to contact, what to do etc, thought it was very interesting lecture. since then,  Suffolk punch was in my mind. And every time we drove passed and saw sign, I was very curious. That weekend, I visited the trust and met some animals who were looked after there.

Beautiful horses they had in their field, and saw a cheeky little pony teasing a huge male horse ( I would imagine this huge horse was working horse), and he wanted to close to the little pony. But it seemed like the pony make some sound, then the male horse got excited ( something between back leg started growing long, never seen it before, I was shocked and laughed so loud 😅), then this little pony walked off, they were doing that for ages. 

other beautiful horses were getting fed, brushed and cleaned where they were. I thought it looked very hard work working these animals, but I guess, if you have passion and love for them, even hard work would be reward at the end of the day. 

Chilling out in the sun😊

Scratching back 😄

There were families with kids, and dogs. Dogs are allowed too, as long as they are on leash. Lovely walks inside the trust. It also had a orchard. Beautiful apples and flowers, cafe is also open now. We had a cup of tea outside seating area. It was lovely sun on my face, and warm, yet crisp autumn air on my skin. It was beautiful day. I defo recommend here, Suffolk Punch for family day out. 

Suffolk Walk: Rendlesham Forest

 

We now often pop down to Rendlesham forest for walks and cycle ride, what a beautiful forest. I forget how amazing these forests are in Suffolk. Beaming with life, at the moment, fungi and mushrooms are out on the forest bed or on trees.

Last week's morning walk to the forest, it was raining, and peaceful, we didn't see many people walking or jogging. ( only a few) 😄 We ( I more like... 😅 ) were on mission to find some ceps which we found a week before, hoping to find some more. But unfortunately, we didn't find any, instead, we found loads of fly agaric and they looked so pretty in the forest. 🍄

I noticed I know deer like to nibbling some mushrooms like, fly agaric, but they seem only nibble a bit with their small delicate mouth. Never the whole mushrooms. I wonder if they ever came back to nibble some more later??? However, I found a mushroom which was eaten nearly all of it, it was a big, grey ish and rubberly mushroom. I though "Ooooo, they liked it💜" I wondered what the taste was like, but I wouldn't dear pick them. I only pick mushrooms I know and I can identify. I would love to attend fungi foraging course or workshop to learn more. They are very interesting. 🤓 

I remember I used to know someone ( I can not remember who it was😆) who never ate mushrooms and didn't like them because they were alien creatures. 😂 Well, this person was right, what fungi does, is mistery, however, we all came from stars which makes we are aliens too. 

Look at the huge parasol mushroom, It was the biggest find during our mushroom foraging. Last year at the end of October, We found a  large Parasol mushroom in Snape nature reserve. This year we found some more, and loads of them. They are like any other fruits in forests ( apples, pears, berries etc), I call them " Jewels in the forest". I also wonder sometimes when hunter gatherers saw these "jewels in the forest", did they get excited too? Who knows...😁🍎🍐

 Previous weekend when we found a few ceps, I got so excited. I knew 100% they were ceps. We used to cook them in restaurants I used to work. ( also other wild mushrooms; chanterelle, morels, trompette etc) I sliced them and fried them, they were delish! We heard last year someone Marcus ( my partner) got talking to whilst his walk in the forest, found kilos of ceps. This year we picked a few, they do exist! 

I don't really know where to find them, but we quite often see people with carrier bags walking round the forest. Apparently they are mushroom hunters. They don't look pros, I had this image mushroom hunters had wicker basket or belt bag, wearing dark khaki jacket and walking boots....whereas these people look like they have just been to a supermarket....😎 Then I realised that was I was doing, I was putting my mushrooms in a plastic bag ( I put in paper bag first though) 😝 I bet I looked a bit dodgy too....well, they do! 🤣 Anyway, I enjoy walking in the forest. And fun.

Photo below was one of ceps we found and cooked for our dinner. 

Look forward to spending time in nature in winter too.