There were eighteen of us again on this crisp November morning as we set off down Portway. No sheep or cows in the fields all the way to the western end of Souldern opposite the Manor. The Autumn trees were a great pleasure in their full colours. Our route continued down Wharf Lane to Wharf Farm and the canal. It was very quiet. No canal traffic and no swans or ducks. We continued along the towpath to the great Western Arms; the water meadows still dry and the water level in the canal quite low. We passed over and under the railway bridges and took the path back alongside the viaduct and under the motorway. At the ford it was still dry and the water level still low. We climbed back up Millers lane, sorry to see the trees that had flanked the avenue to Lower Aynho Grounds had been felled and were being sawn up as we passed. We continued up hill to Station Road and the village and through the Black Path to the pavilion and the usual chat and refreshments.
