We welcomed Jim Tipping, a keen walker new to our walks, today. The coldest day since last winter, although the frost had gone by the time the sixteen of us set off. We scuffed up the leaves along the black path and passed into Butts Close and crossed to the path by the Dad’s Army hut. Once into the field that curves over the hill we were in a newly planted crop and the path has not yet been re-established. The wheel tracks from the tractor were quite clear so we followed these and only diverted as we neared the gate into the final field of the descent.
We crossed to the concrete track and walked up to the row of houses before turning right and taking the muddy track round to the footbridge and up through the yard where rubbish is often burning. From there we took the track along the valley, very wet and muddy, and had to step aside and regroup as a huge tractor approached us. Our wave was cheerily returned by the driver and we moved on towards Charlton, passing a dead crow on the path. The stone pits were their usual grassy way as was the meadow across the stone stile that can be so churned up by the cattle. No sign of them this time though.
We passed down through Charlton village and came up towards Rainsborough Camp. No sheep in these fields this time. And so we passed along the ridge into Portway and back to the pavilion. Cakes, Coffee etc. available from Anita as usual but particularly welcome after our bracing five and a half miles walk.