Within my long and ever-changing employment history, one of the most enjoyable years was my time as a North London Park Ranger. The role was essentially to provide the bored local kids a figure of very lowly authority which they could harass. I tried to encourage them to rebel against proper oppression, but apparently, we were more fun. 

​

Other than putting out non-metaphorical fires, replacing upturned bins and delivering vodka-addled pre-teens to their adoring parents, I also had the chance to learn the names of trees and plants and mushrooms. 

​

The mushroom guys were always the most interesting. Craggly old be-whiskered fellows of unhasty movements, self-taught mycologists of at least a hundred years' experience. Wonderful old men to learn from.

​

On the barracks, there are dozens of different species. Here are the ones we have so far managed to photograph and identify.

​