There were eight of us out on the long walk today in lovely warm sunshine. It was good to see Trevor again and our guest walker, Loraine. We set off down Green Lane. Now it has been closed to traffic for a longish period the track is overgrown and the slope is a sea of yellow from the buttercups. We passed the buildings and a bonfire of rubbish at Lower Walton Grounds, crossed the stream and made our way up the ridge. Passing through the shrubbery to the next field we skirted the usual muddy section, still not dried out. Views from the top of the ridge were clear and bright. The paths through the rich green wheat crop were clearly cut. It is the easiest time of the year to follow this route. We met a local couple walking their dog who told us of other good paths, but we continued through the old stone pits and into the top of the village opposite Charlton School. From there we walked down through the village and crossed the fields to Rainsborough Camp. In the adjoining field was a large clear-cut rectangle of red poppies. They looked wonderful in the sunshine and we wondered if they had a particular significance. We walked down to the Charlton Road and on to Second Crossing in the hope that the short path which comes out beside the playing field might also have a display of poppies as it did last year. There was not a poppy in sight however. Just the strong green wheat crop. Back at the pavilion Kay and her mother were serving their lunches and cakes. Quite like old times and very welcome after the five and a half miles in the increasingly hot sunshine.
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Walking in sunshine! |