P1090880There was an excellent turn out today as sixteen walkers set off through the village. It was humid and overcast with a brief threat of rain, but the cloud soon lifted as we walked down Station Road to Millers Lane. The water at Souldern Mill was well below the track so there was no ford to wade through. At the top of the lane in Souldern we paused to regroup before turning down Wharf Lane and crossing the fields behind Souldern Manor. The track that leads down to the canal actually took us back to the village opposite a narrow footpath that curves its way along the edge of some gardens to emerge on a road. From here we turned right and followed the track round towards Nancy Bowles Wood and Foxhill track. We always admire the vast array of blue bowls with their flowering geraniums in the garden as the track curves round to the climb up towards the wood. The narrow footpath through to the Fritwell Road had been very well cleared of overgrown bushes and nettles so we were soon able to take the road back to Souldern Village, continue past the church and the sewage works and follow the Portway Path back to Aynho. There was notice of a bull in the field and since the cattle were ranged across the path area today our doughty retired farmer and new Parish Councillor, Chris Reynolds, shepherded people and dogs safely across to the next field. The fallen dry stone wall just before the tunnel was easy enough to skirt round on the final stretch. We were back a little earlier than usual and the cakes and refreshments were eagerly enjoyed.
