DH, RW, BFS, AC, TO, PC, Sully, Bill
We returned to Alford Church for the 2nd time in a matter of weeks and although the initial path north was the same as previously, on reaching the green Lane we headed left towards the village of Hornblotton.
The public right of way took us right up to the front gate of the Church, and in an area just outside the gate was a a large tree that must have had one of its main branches torn down in a very recent storm. On wandering closer it could be seen that the tree was laden with berries. But what was it? Enter stage right the font of all knowledge, or the one who gets onto Google first!
The good news is that nobody died as a result of the blind tasting and all agreed that these berries were edible , sweet and unusual. This prompted a discussion about whether anyone had tasted them before (noone) and why we all knew the nursery rhyme but noone had ever seen them before. I think there was also reference to silkworms. Interesting find though and worth revisiting in future.
We crossed the Chuchyard and paused by some ancient oaks with a view across to Hornblotton House which is pictured below. This massive Victorian house was previously the Rectory...which reflects the former wealth and status of C of E clergymen. Contrast this with the tin tabernacle at Alhampton we visited in another walk. The mystery about this set up is that there is no other property in this settlement. People actually live at Hornblotton Green which we passed through on our way back to the cars.
The landscape is very flat in these parts (which suits our walking style) and probably flooded in times gone past. We trudged back through largely empty fields to the banks of the River Brue and then via a wooded track to Alford Church.
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