We celebrated the third anniversary of the Aynho Health Walks today by meeting in the rain at The Rose & Crown in Charlton. The long walkers, down to nine, mainly because of the weather, set off down the lane a few yards from the pub. Towards the buildings at the end we passed a green parrot rustling its feathers on a perch in its cage. Our attentions aroused it to confront us with very loud squawks which followed us down to the gate into the meadow where a man was exercising his spaniel in the rain. We skirted the next field and passed through the old stone pits emerging after the long horn cows’ field onto the Kings Sutton Road. From here we took the coffin walk through towards Newbottle, where we met the short walkers, and further along the permitted path beside the road we saw the medium walkers. We continued on permitted paths on the Newbottle Estate until we came out onto the road opposite the track through the woods to Hinton Airstrip. There was very little activity there today but by now the rain had stopped and the sky was brightening. Soon Forceleap Farm came into view and it was but a short walk along the opposite track into the Sports field and from there into the village and down to the Rose and Crown; a walk of four and a half miles. The staff, efficient as ever, served us in two sittings, the early arrivals first and us long walkers afterwards. The usual good quality food and drink made a great celebration of our third walking year. Thanks to Sue Hales for arranging everything again this year.
