New Forest Fungi Mentor Wanted!

[chip]

Hi,
I have wanted to find out more about fungi for a while now but never quite got round to it..you know the story..work, family etc.
Last year i attended a talk on fungi and thought that it was fascinating and vowed that this year i would start my fungi knowledge journey!
With a young family money is very tight and the local fungi forays seem quite a bit of money if you were to go on a few of them...sorry if i sound tight, i'm not, it's just things are quite tough at the moment.
I was hoping that maybe there is someone who visits the New Forest regularly who would be interested in meeting up and sharing their fungi knowledge with me?
You don't have to be an expert..as i know almost nothing!
I'm just looking for someone who could meet up with me for an hour or so every now and again through the season.
Just so you know that i'm not (too) wierd.. Im a 40 year old bloke, married with 2 kids and live on the east side of the forest. On reflection that doesn't prove much really does it?
Thanks for taking the time to read this and hopefully some kind soul will take pity on me and be in contact soon!
Best regards
Chip Wilson
Hythe
Hants
PS- Yes, i am aware it's a ridiculous name.

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by chip

Hi,
I have wanted to find out more about fungi for a while now but never quite got round to it..you know the story..work, family etc.
Last year i attended a talk on fungi and thought that it was fascinating and vowed that this year i would start my fungi knowledge journey!
With a young family money is very tight and the local fungi forays seem quite a bit of money if you were to go on a few of them...sorry if i sound tight, i'm not, it's just things are quite tough at the moment.
I was hoping that maybe there is someone who visits the New Forest regularly who would be interested in meeting up and sharing their fungi knowledge with me?
You don't have to be an expert..as i know almost nothing!
I'm just looking for someone who could meet up with me for an hour or so every now and again through the season.
Just so you know that i'm not (too) wierd.. Im a 40 year old bloke, married with 2 kids and live on the east side of the forest. On reflection that doesn't prove much really does it?
Thanks for taking the time to read this and hopefully some kind soul will take pity on me and be in contact soon!
Best regards
Chip Wilson
Hythe
Hants
PS- Yes, i am aware it's a ridiculous name.

Hi Chip and welcome to WAB ... and to the wonderful world of fungi

I don't live near you but I'm sure someone will maybe offer to help.

Although money is very tight an organised foray is the ideal start! Not only will you be in the company of an expert (hopefully) but you will have the oppertunity to meet others in your area. They will also have local knowledge of where likely to find species.

Failing that, A good book(s) and a couple of months reading the fungi forum threads on WAB will help

John

[chip]

Blimey John, that was quick!
Thanks for your advice and encouragement.
Whether i am with an 'expert' or not i am likely to be rather cautious when handling fungi as i touched some when i was kid and must have put my fingers in my mouth. This resulted in two baffled GP's and a very bizarre experience for a 12 year old kid!
Regards
Chip

[cybershot]

Have you explored the possibility of going out on one of the programmed forays of the Hampshire Fungus Recording Group.

http://www.hampshirefungi.org.uk/progm.php

David

[FungiJohn]

A Day out with you and Nick should do the trick David

John

[Deer Stalker]

Hi Chip.

I go up the Forest every weekend, but I never know when exactly.

As David says The Hampshire Fungus Recording Group are a good bunch to go out with & do quite a few Forays on the Forest. They don't charge for the Forays but may ask you to Join (£10 a year
) if you go to several.

[cybershot]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

A Day out with you and Nick should do the trick David

John

Yep, there was definitely a buzz of excitement if Nick or I found a known edible amongst our collections. But alas Nick's moved back to Norfolk and I don't visit the New Forest anywhere near as often as I should. Though Chip would be more than welcome to join JP and I on our outings around northeast Hampshire if he so wished:

fungi-of-hants-surrey-borders : Information exchange for fungi devotees

Cheers

David

[NickCantle]

Might call in for a visit to Hampshire soon pal, if that's okay?

[cybershot]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Might call in for a visit to Hampshire soon pal, if that's okay?

Just say the word, you'll both be very welcome

David

We could even organize a New Forest Foray in your honour

[NickCantle]

I'm not dead

Though that does sound good indeedy