After a prolonged period of dry weather, realistically probably since the winter of 2001 - winter of 2002 being almost a non-event - we have some reasonable rains in the last week or two. Hope they keep up over the next three weeks.

While riding my four wheel motorbike through a paddock yesterday afternoon what do I find? Dozens and dozens of mushrooms everywhere! The right combination of short grass - mowed regularly by the paddock lice (sheep), moisture, regularly crapping on top of - by the sheep

, and leftover spores from whom knows whenever. Plus warmth and sunshine to bring them up plus cold frosty nights (yes Ann it has been getting done to to 10 deg C some nights - brrrrrrr

).

So forget about work for the rest of the afternoon. I'm going mushrooming. Haven't seen them for a long time.

One of the delights of the wild fields - wild mushrooms.

Now the perfect accompaniment would be a freshly shot conny or two. May have to look for them tonight.