The sunshine was missing when twelve walkers set off down Portway, but the mud was still there as we crossed towards Souldern. We branched off once over the stream, and headed up to the B4100 and across into Upper Aynho Grounds. Once past The Great Barn we continued down through the woods and up through Warren Farm woods to the grazing field. It is obviously too early for the Aberdeen Angus herd to be out yet, and further on the horses looked forlorn in the cold. Along the back of Croughton Village, through the wooded path we reached the path that cuts up to the main street opposite the Reading Room. A huge truck almost completely blocked the path but the driver guided us past it. We continued across the road and through to the fields up to the minor road that connects to the Charlton Road. Up through Camp Farm we came across Eddie Gladden, the farmer, cutting off the dirty hair that threatened the sheep with infection. We continued through the camp and back to the pavilion where the usual refreshments awaited.
