My Maytime MOT

This morning one of our GP's lovely nurses took blood from my right arm, and sent it off to be tested for a whole range of things, including my thyroid's activity and cholesterol levels.

My blood pressure was well within the acceptable range, and my weight has continued to go down, VERY gradually.  I now weigh less than I did ten years ago in July 2001, when we moved permanently to Kirkstead.  It was the mushroom sandwiches and much contentment that probably caused me to put the pounds on rapidly.  This new item on our menu came about in the autumn of that year when I discovered how much Reg (who was at that time building my first pergola) appreciated the mushrooms that appeared daily on the lawn.  They were large enough to fill two slices of bread, and I guess we enjoyed them every day for months.

Now I give most of the mushrooms that come from the local Co-op to Reg as he can burn off the butter much quicker than I can.  Reg, the Runner, as he christened himself, has been kindly helping me prepare breakfasts for the past couple of mornings, and he then spent the rest of today creating a trench across the bottom of the garden, which will take electricity and mains water to the tin shed and the Pink Patio near our west boundary fence and hedge.

Comments

[Pete from Guildford]

Hi Barbara, Lovely to read about your mushroom growing. It takes me back to when I was 10-12 or probably younger. I remember early mornings walking down the lane to a field sometimes housing cows or horses and harvesting super field mushromms in a prolific spot presumeably only known by me and taking them home to mum. My love of 'the fungi' has only grown like my waiste line over the years.
Sue & Pete

[Barbara]

Thank you for getting in touch, Pete. I have very similar memories, because I collected mushrooms the size of a plate from the field behind our home in Ewell. I recall watching the maggots climbing out as the "treasure" was cooked, even though we had tried to drown them in advance. Cows occupied that field. I also collected mushrooms when I was evacuated to Rhyl, and somehow they seemed to be smaller and fresher, but I can't remember eating them, though I recall the hunting in the early morning mist, with the dew making my feet wet. I would have been five or six years old, I think.
Did you know that one of your brother's many development projects for Philips was to do with using microwaves in some way to eradicate unwelcome visitors in mushroom farms? I don't recall how successful it was, so I will ask David if he remembers anything next time they are up here visiting the marina.