We welcomed Peter as a new walker making eleven of us as we set out down Portway, overtaking the medium walkers and cutting up to the B4100 opposite Upper Aynho Grounds. The weather was overcast and close as there was no breeze to cool us. We crossed with care and entered the drive up to the Great Barn. By kind permission we were permitted to deviate from the bridleway and cut down to the lakes. We walked along the edge, but saw no swans or their cygnets today. We climbed up through the woods of Warren farm and entered a field with a small number of Aberdeen Angus cattle with their rich black coats. The churchyard was much as usual as we crossed it to the farm track up to the road through Croughton Village. We crossed the road passed the school and walked up to the field path across to Cut Throat Corner. The track behind the woods led to the permissive path up to Camp Farm where we crossed the Charlton Road and continued along the lower end of Rainsborough camp. The turn up the side of the field was very overgrown so we all raised our arms to avoid being stung or scratched, but we were soon on the track along the ridge back to Green Lane an the very welcome drink and refreshment at the pavilion. 7.2miles.
