We headed out towards Souldern via the footpath opposite Portway. The ground was fairly dry under foot considering the amount of rain that had fallen during the night. Going across the second field we could see the bullocks at the top of the field by the farm house but were then distracted by a shrew making its way through the long grass. They need to feed both day and night because of their high metabolic rate but it is still quite rare to see one. We passed the church and turned left at the cross roads before turning right along the back road to Fritwell. Part way along here we turned right down a footpath which was a little overgrown and bordered with cow parsley growing to waist height, well waist height on us shorter walkers! It was still covered in raindrops from the night so that we reached the back of the houses in Souldern more than a little damp! We stopped for a chat with a lady busily trying to keep the weeds at bay in her garden, followed the quiet back road round until we came to the main street and went on down towards the mill. Before reaching the mill we turned off the track and yes again we had to make our way through the cow parsley (we had just dried out a little), and along the side of the fields to Lower Aynho Grounds. From here we could almost smell the coffee which spurred us on up the final hill to Aynho and much needed refreshments at the pavilion. An enjoyable walk and although showers were forecast we completed the 5 miles in the dry.
