Anyone for conkers...

Over here in Britain October is the time to play the age old game of conkers! Never heard of it? Well, it's pretty simple really. First you find yer Horse Chestnut tree. Then you gather yer nuts!! Then you select the finest specimens, drill a hole through 'em, thread a strong knotted string through 'em and then proceed to take turns to obliterate your opponent's nut - if you see what I mean! Easy - and fun - but don't try this at home kids...as they say on Blue peter!

This is 'Son of Moth Man' in full swing. High aggression is required to succeed in this vicious, but fun, game. Rule number one is always to aim for yer opponents knuckles...no, just kidding. MM, you see, has a bit of a vicious streak that he tries to hide most of the time.


These are the conkers themselves. Lovely looking things when fresh - all shiny and, well, chestnutty.


And, since I am MM it would be well dodgy not to include a moth of some sort. This is a Beaded Chestnut so it sort of ties into the theme doen't it. This attractive late flying moth is on the wing in September and October. The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants. Thus far it hasn't been particularly common in these parts.

Anyway, if you have a nut-bearing Horse Chestnut near you get conkering would ya...