It was misty but dry as thirteen of us set of through the village and down Station Road to Millers lane. Two stags watched us from the deer park. The ford was completely dry and the stream low beneath the track but on the ascent into Souldern the Autumn leaves lay thick on the newly laid concrete. We took the path from Wharf Lane skirting the Manor. In the second field the horses stood, with their coats on. One rolled around in front of us before standing and approaching in hope of treats. On the track beyond, a late hedge cutter was in operation and in a garden on the winding footpath between houses primroses were blooming. On the track up to Foxhill more golden leaves were scattered and the alpacas kept their distance. We reached the road and returned to Souldern and took the route past the church and onto the Portway path. WE were soon back at the pavilion where Dawn is now well established with soup and bacon butties. 5.5 miles.
