We last did the Foxhill Walk six weeks ago and before we set off I thought we might be a little bored covering the same track again. However, I need not have worried. The beauty of walking in the countryside is that it looks different at all times of the day, month or year. Whilst we slid about in the mud a few weeks ago, today it was completely dry underfoot with huge cracks showing along the parched soil. Although rain had been forecast, it held off until we returned to “base” and we enjoyed warm but rather humid conditions. Instead of admiring colourful blooms as we did a few weeks ago, we watched fields being harvested by huge pieces of farm machinery enveloped in clouds of dust. We were lucky enough to be accompanied by lots of different wildlife from colourful butterflies dancing on the footpaths in front of us to being encircled by young buzzards with their iconic calls. At some point we were also watched curiously by wildlife of a very different nature. The heavens opened briefly when we arrived back at the pavilion which simply meant that we enjoyed Anita’s wonderful treats inside rather than out.
Renate Maddocks-Born