We had a good turnout today as people seized the chance of a morning out between the storms. There was also good news about the catering after the walks as it looks like we shall have a new caterer serving us from next month. In the meantime we’ll rely on Sue Hales and the volunteer cake providers. We set off through the village down Blacksmiths Hill to Skittle Alley through into the Square and Little Lane to Station Road and Millers Lane. The Ford at Souldern Mill was full and fast flowing so we skirted the wood and crossed the footbridge. A large tree had broken off and fallen onto a shed in the the Mill Garden but did not seem to have damaged it too much. The climb up to Souldern provided an excellent test of fitness which everyone passed. We crossed a couple of fields sparking an interest in two horses who came to have a closer look. Passing through the village we walked up towards Nancy Bowles Wood and joined the path that curves round by Fox Hill. The sun was bright and warm as long as we kept out of the wind. Once back through Souldern Village and down towards the Sewage Works water was pumping out from beneath a stone slab and pouring down the concrete track. it eventually found its way into the stream where water cress was growing. The sheep in the next fields were a lot calmer that two weeks ago when the off lead dog was chasing them. The wettest squelchy mud was at the bottom of the field next to the recently felled wood and it made the climb up to the tunnel path quite tiring. Once there the snow drops in Rylands were lovely. Back at the pavilion we all enjoyed coffee and the homemade scones donated by a talented lady cook. Twelve fit walkers had covered 5.4 miles in just under two hours.
