Orchards and apple blossom

Last Saturday provided a sunny window to enable us to take our planned tour of Somerset's fabulous cider orchards - perfect timing as the weather was fine.

We roughly followed a loop around the beautiful village of Coat, and rather strangely named Kingsbury Episcopi, dropping in on the amazing and now legendary cider maker: The Somerset Cider Brandy Company Ltd. & Burrow Hill Cider.

Barrels of cider waiting for a buyer

Apple orchards provide a valuable and exciting wildlife habitat for insects and the birds that feed on them.  The older trees have nesting holes used by woodpeckers and jackdaws, whilst many trees support thick clumps of mistletoe, sold in local towns at Christmas.

Right now they are aflame with pinky-white blossoms.  Here are some of the 250+ images taken on and around this company's orchard on their way-marked walk, along with a few from the local area. They have very helpfully placed notices scattered around the place, explaining which variety of apple is which, and what particular qualities are useful.  We were enraptured by the whole place.

Big balls of mistletoe

Most orchards are grazed by young cattle or sheep