Ninety, to be precise. All around the very best country lanes that Aberdeenshire has to offer. A fair deal of climbing was involved, and I got so warm that I even took my jacket off (in January!).
Of course I was on the hunt for mushrooms – I always cycle with one eye on the hedgerows! As I was quietly peddling along, I spotted Velvet Shanks in a very inaccessible place. Not wanting to be defeated, yours truly clambered over a fence, waded through a swamp, tore their (expensive 😭) waterproof trousers on barbed wire, and nearly tippled over into a burn. Back on the bike with my hard-earned treasure, after literally 20 metres I spotted a bouquet of Velvet Shanks (pictured below) sticking out and I nearly rode into it. Didn’t even have to get off in order to pick them.
Today I went out again and while I feared having to sport ductape-embellished waterproofish trousers 😆, John managed to glue the hole over. It didn’t rain, but a very strong wind made for slow progress. More barbed wire clambering was involved to get tonight’s meal: Velvet shanks within John’s signature fluffy omelette. Just listen to these beauties sizzling:
We’ve also cracked open a bottle of our latest wine, which we called Vimto+ in acknowledgement of the 6 different fruits that have gone into it.
It’s an extremely drinkable wine, and has an alcoholic effect that’s not immediately noticeable. But oh boy after a few glugs it is!
We’re currently sitting by the woodstove (converted to burn smokeless coal) and I feel pleasantly ‘wind burnt’ from today’s adventure. Have a great week folks!
The healthy forager 