Ten walkers set off today with one dog. The sunshine was warm enough but when the sun disappeared the wind was quite cold. We walked through the village down the Black Path, Blacksmith’s Hill and Skittle Alley to Little Lane and across the main road to Station Road and continued down to Millers Lane and the ford at Souldern Mill. The maize seems to have grown tall very quickly. It is difficult to see over it now, a great contrast with the wide expanse of newly harvested wheat and barley fields. A badger had been busy digging out a new sett judging by the earth and weeds scattered along the lane. The ford was dry so we crossed it and the footbridge and walked along more maize fields to pass under the motorway and reach the Great Western. The canal was very busy. Long boats followed one after another. The towpath was clear and dry. We soon reached Souldern Wharf, crossed the bridge and passed through the ripe smell of the farmyard to walk up Wharf Lane into Souldern village. Some lovely views across to Aynho Park House as we took the path through to the Portway track and climbed up the final field. At the top a newly repaired stile, meant no more swinging under the bar for the shortest among us. We passed through the tunnel and reached the pavilion in a couple of minutes over two hours after covering 6.2 miles.
