A touch of Downton Abbey

The day after Christmas we found out Charles Spencer, the earl of Althorp, hosts an annual hunt for the people of Church Brampton.

This was exciting news as Alisa and I (let alone the kids) have never seen anything like a British Hunt.  Sure, we've seen representations on Downton Abbey but that's the closest we've ever been.

So we got on our trusty Wellies, some warm clothes, and drove over to the fields where The Hunt was to be.

We knew we were getting closer when the usually empty and verdant English fields were dotted with horseback riders in the distinctive tan pants, blazers, and conical black hat.  Parking was a challenge as both cars and horses were becoming thick near the field entrance.

Walking down the muddy dirt road, we often had to stand aside for the riders happily trotting past us.  Joey and Sammy eagerly looked around for more horses.  Lanna, who is becoming quite a talker, made happy exclamations whenever she saw a horse.

The fields opened up before us, filled with happy people milling about peppered with riders of all ages.  

Seeing so many horses made Sammy very happy.

Alisa's cousins were filling us in about The Hunt and told us the people in the blue blazers were the main riding body (the field) and those in the red blazers were the hunt masters.

We were awaiting the hunt masters.  They were also in charge of the hounds.  Our hosts told us when we saw the pack of hounds, then we knew the hunt would start soon.

And then we saw them!

The hounds seemed to be everywhere, coming by us, sniffing, and allowing us to scratch their ears.  They were very eager and frenetic.

The boys enjoyed the chance to meet the hounds.

It was very pleasant as the hounds darted past us and mingled with the crowd.  

Soon the hunt master arrived and they lifted the brass bugle to their lips, summoning the hounds.

From there, they gave some pretty little speeches while people circulated around with glasses of port and mince pies.

When the speeches were over, the riders all assembled behind the hounds and they trotted a few laps around the field and through the woods.

Once they had gone and silence replaced the baying of the hounds and the thunder of hooves, we enjoyed a nice walk in the English countryside.

It was a shame when we returned to the farmhouse that Carson and Mrs. Hughes was not there to greet us or provide any refreshments from Mrs. Padmore.