A woodland walk is a gift in itself, but sometimes it becomes a gift that keeps on giving.

Wild flowers, wild garlic, berries, nuts, edible fungi…

The welcome glimpse of Chanterelles, tiny saffron studs or a fully formed frill of sulphuric yellow, emerging from a mossy bank, is more commonly associated with the season of mellow mists and fruitfulness.

In reality, their treasured, and still rare presence, is more due to weather conditions being conducive.

Their habitats, when discovered, are preciously guarded by those who seek them out. “Never ask and never tell” seems to be the unspoken agreement.

Our former home in Sussex offered opportunities of rich pickings, and because foraging is not so much of a passion in England, we were able to gather plenty.

Knowing that the French, in common with Italians, are mad for mushrooms, we wondered if our pickings would become much less rich.

We had nothing to fear.

The vast wildness of the Creuse, coupled with its tiny population, means that there is plenty to go around. In fact, we frequently don’t have to venture any further afield that this track which starts a few yards from or garden gate.

The predictably unpredictable nature of the Limousine weather has rewarded us so far this June with copious sunshine and rain, sometimes impressively monsoon-like, and with it, a satisfying haul or two of Chanterelles.