The warm sunshine brought back many regulars and we welcomed a new walker, Lida and her Jack Russell. Fourteen of us set off through Green Lane and Rainsborough Camp. Along the ridge to the camp we saw two deer charge off through the crop. Skylarks were singing all along the route. We reached Croughton and passed the school before crossing the road and taking the track that leads via a grazing field to the churchyard. As always we checked that the television still rests in the trunk of the hollow tree before heading back via the green and the ford to Warren Farm, freshly mown for silage and into the woods of Upper Aynho Grounds. We had prior permission to walk round by the lakes and were amazed to see, on the path between the two bridges, a swan sitting on its large nest. The bridge was fenced off with wire netting so that no one disturbed the swan but it was a spectacular sight. We continued on the far side of the lake and rounded it at the end. There was much going on in A Day in the Country. We saw and heard a variety of activities including some loud shooting. We crossed the B4100 with care and returned to the pavilion via Portway, glad of a drink and a good lunch for those who had ordered it. Altogether 6.5 miles in 2 hrs 10 mins. A very enjoyable walk.
