5 hours ago
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Now that we have room for the ′shrooms, it’s time to address Joe Barry’s death cap query (C8) as to why anyone would want to import them. Judy Jones of Thornleigh explains that “mushroom spores were unintentionally imported in the mulch around pine tree seedlings. The soil around mature pine trees is still ideal for mushrooming. Beware the red ‘pixie’ mushrooms, definitely not good for your longevity, so I suspect the death cap variety had similar beginnings.” Seppo Ranki of Glenhaven agrees but points the finger at the European oak in what he calls a “symbiotic relationship”.
Anne Cook of Ermington notes we have a bit of form when it comes to introduced species: “Three possible reasons for death cap mushrooms to be introduced to Australia: To eliminate rabbits, foxes or cane toads. No idea if these animals eat mushrooms, just as the person who signed off on importing cane toads had no idea they live on the ground while cane beetles live at the top of the cane.”
Speaking of which, Tim Ingall’s “cane toad golf” (C8) tale carried fond memories for Nicolas Harrison of Evans Head: “Travelling from Sydney to visit relatives on the Gold Coast in the ’80s always brought the thrill of ‘cane toad golf’. The fun ceased when I shanked a nine-iron and deposited the toad into next door’s swimming pool.”
Bob Edgar of Moss Vale reports a missing detail regarding David Pigott’s accidental honour (C8) and subsequent acknowledgment from his club: “David omitted the mention of a $50 voucher accompanying his congratulatory letter. He was sorely conflicted, but the good angel got the upper hand. On pointing out the error to the club’s acting CEO, they both had a good laugh. David’s reward? Keep the voucher. I have no such conflict. I’ll be right there for lunch, David!”
“The advantage of a comforter over a doona (C8) is that they come with their own built-in cover,” says Leoni Hubbard of Windradyne. “I know there are videos out there that show you how to get a doona into a cover, but I think you still need to have six arms to manage it!”
“Cannot stop beaming that I am mentioned in the same sentence as Joan Brown (C8),” says the equally accomplished Jo Rainbow of Orange. “She was a legend – witty, erudite and proudly Orange. May the road home rise up and meet you.”
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