Dartmoor at Samhain

October has been wild and stormy up here on the moor, along with unseasonably warm sunshine occasionally.

“The stunning scale and array of fruiting bodies are just a tiny indication of the vast networks of mycelium underground, overhead, and all around us.”

Long, golden shadows and misty mornings have contrasted with ferocious downpours, and the turbulent winds of seasonal change. Depending on my mood, sometimes I welcome the weather and sometimes not - is it the same for you?

Fluctuations in temperature, hours of sunlight, and therefore available food are just some of the natural stressors that cause us to see so many fungi in the autumn. The stunning scale and array of fruiting bodies are just a tiny indication of the vast networks of mycelium underground, overhead, and all around us. Our annual Fungi Forays are always really popular, and they are distinct from other offerings as we learn about the whole kingdom of life, and the fungal role in supporting biodiversity (rather than just foraging and how to ID edible mushrooms without context). Plus you get to experience a delicious fry-up if we do find any edibles!

And so Samhain is upon us again. According to ancient Celts, this marks the beginning of the new year. Many of us struggle with the darker, colder, shorter days but it can also be a beautiful and nourishing time. It can be an opportunity for rest and renewal, for example sitting by a fire, writing or catching up on reading; cooking warming foods and sharing with friends; and dreaming into possibilities for next year. After such a busy summer, this will certainly be my wintry intention. I am already incubating new ideas for walks, talks, and nature-connection experiences next year.