A group of eleven set off today. We had two teachers on half term and two German Guests staying with a walker family in the village this week. We followed the path down through the tunnel into the open fields. After all the rain the lower end of the field was quite muddy and the undergrowth was still very wet. It was still very cloudy but there was no rain. We crossed two meadows, the second populated with sheep and were able to admire the view of the Park House through the mist. We followed Wharf Lane down to the canal at Souldern Wharf, noting a pair of buzzards on the way. Two long boats cruised by enjoying the tranquillity of the landscape and many more were moored on both sides as we neared the Great Western. We left the tow path and once under the railway bridge we took the footpath from Station Road towards Souldern Mill. We worked round the ford and came back to the village via Millers Lane and Station Road. We were surprised to be passed by two cars on the farm track down to the ford at Souldern Mill. One of them had earlier passed us as it emerged from the track and stream under the Motorway. Back at the pavilion the usual coffee and cake or lunch awaited us, and as usual it was eagerly welcomed.
