Sixteen walkers abandoned Christmas shopping to enjoy a walk in beautiful sunshine. We took the Portway path through the tunnel and across the fields to Souldern church. The frost was disappearing as the sun rose and spread its warmth. We continued through the village up towards the B4100 and then along the Fritwell road until the Somerton junction. A sharp turn took us on the the narrow path between the tall hedge on one side and the strongly fenced field on the other. In the field behind the hedge we could eventually see two Llamas, or alpacas, with some horses and sheep. They seemed to be enjoying the sunshine as much as we were. Passing Nancy Bowles wood we descended the track and passed a Christmas celebration display in the garden on the right. From the end of the track we followed the road round to the footpath across to the lane down to the ford. The ford was still dry, with the stream flowing well below road level. As Anita was taking a well-deserved break some of us stopped for a very hospitable coffee and mince pie at the Cartwright Hotel, while others continued to the pavilion where Paula had brought some cake and coffee. Five and a half miles in lovely sunshine.
