It’s a cliché to start with the phrase ‘owing to popular demand’ but in this case it is actually true. For years I’ve held out against catering for local would-be mushroomers for the very good reason that I don’t want competition. As time has progressed, I have realised my ‘special’ patches are actually not so special. There are mushrooms everywhere, so why be possessive?

This means I am now going to lay on two affordable (£30 adults, £15 children) one-day courses, aimed at beginners. These will focus on where and when to find edible fungi, how to target the most delicious species, what to avoid, how to preserve and the best way to cook.

The precise details may change according to weather conditions, but each foray should produce a wide range of edible fungi – and plenty of mushrooms for you to take home. A buffet lunch with complimentary alcoholic or soft drink is included and the meal will feature at least two mushroom dishes (there will also be non-mushroom options). Groups will be no more than 20-strong at most. Neither foray will be arduous, but the first will involve a slightly more walking. As a result, the second is more suited to less fit people and children (dogs are also welcome).

To keep prices down, we will use our own vehicles to drive the c. 5 miles to the woods. There will be a minimal amount of off-tarmac driving, although this will be on forestry stone roads. Car sharing is encouraged and drivers who are prepared to give lifts will receive a £5 discount.

Pre-booking is essential and requires a small deposit of £10 per adult, £5 per child. To secure places phone 01597 811168 / 0779 429 4221.

ITINERARY

9.45 am meet in Rhayader
10.15 – 12.45 Foray
1.15 Buffet lunch at Tan-y-Cefn
2 pm Preservation display
2.30 Slide show of mushrooms around the year
3.00 (Optional) uphill foray
4.00 Finish

www.fungiforays.co.uk/

Visit www2.cat.org.uk for more information.

These mushroom breaks are aimed at the beginner with an interest in edible fungi. By day you stroll through spectacular Mid-Wales scenery, looking for delicious species while shuddering at those to avoid.  At night, guests enjoy wine, a tasting session and a fungal feast. Groups are limited to 10 and we are based in the friendly three-star Horseshoes guesthouse in the little market town of Rhayader.

Mushrooms are a wild harvest, so we cannot guarantee results, but we would usually expect to find around two dozen edible varieties, including porcini; bay-, orange birch-, larch- and pine boletes; shaggy ink caps; parasols; chanterelles; blewits; fairy ring champignons; amethyst and common deceivers; field-, oyster- and hedgehog mushrooms; puffballs, cauliflower- and beefsteak fungus. Along the way we would also see a range of poisonous species, ranging from the unpleasant (e.g. sickeners) to the deadly (e.g. destroying angel).

Every two-day break includes all hotel accommodation; meals; guidebook; hand-made basket; collecting knife and local transport.

Mid-week breaks cost £295 per person (£145 deposit), while weekend breaks cost £325 (£165). Single bookings are subject to a £30 supplement. Discounts for children and group bookings are available – and private parties are also welcome. For further details and bookings call 01597 811168.
2009 Dates

Since our first break in 1997, demand has grown steadily. This year we have six breaks spread across the height of the mushroom season. The crop will depend entirely on the weather conditions in late summer and early autumn, but even in a dry year we would normally expect to find at least a dozen edible species, while in a good year this could easily top 30.

30 – 2 Oct (Wed – Fri)

9 – 11 Oct (Fri – Sun)

14 – 16 Oct (Wed – Fri)

23 – 25 Oct (Fri – Sun)

28 – 30 Oct (Wed – Fri)

For more information visit www.fungiforays.co.uk/index.php/breaks/