Three women, two men and two dogs braved the rain this morning and equipped with various shades of umbrella, hooded jackets, waterproof trousers and wellington boots set off down to Millers Lane and up to Souldern village. The ford was too deep and fast flowing to cross so we took the field route round and over the little footbridge. Round the back of Souldern we followed the road and took the track past the richly ornamented blue garden and up to Nancy Bowles Wood. No walkers or picnics there today. We branched off on the footpath over Foxhill. The waist high cow parsley brushed us with water soaking our legs and washing our wellingtons. By now the rain had eased off and we followed the Fritwell Road back into Souldern and down past the church. Once back in the parish we found the sheep usually grazing in Mr Belcher’s field had been replaced by a herd of very inquisitive heifers. The two border terriers on their short leads returned the fascination. Back at the pavilion the usual coffee and cakes or a more substantial lunch were particularly welcome. It was the first time in over two years of the walks that we had had rain from start to finish.
