Only eight of us turned up on a lovely sunny day for this morning’s walk. We set off along the Black Path, continued down Butts Close and over the stone stile by the old observation hut. The footpath was not too muddy or wet here, the views across to Banbury and Bloxham were bright and clear until we reached the buildings at Lower Walton Grounds. We continued up the track and round the back of the farm buildings where the track was quite muddy, and onto the footbridge, being careful to duck under the overhanging branch. The farm track along the valley was a series of elongated lakes as it always is after heavy rain, but once on the next field edge we were in the dry again. We passed through the old stone pits and walked down through the village where serious road works were underway. The road was closed to through traffic and completely blocked by contractors’ vehicles. We passed the time of day with the workmen and continued down through the village and up the footpath to Rainsborough Camp. On the final leg along the ridge we came across a team from College Farm fencing off the gap in the hedge which gives access to the main length of the ridge. They explained that the horse riding through the crops and along the tracks was causing serious problems. The farmer had written polite notes to the local hunt and to stables asking them to refrain but to no avail. They had no alternative but to fence them off. As it is not an official footpath there is no point in complaining and we do have sympathy with their problems. No doubt we will find alternative routes. Nevertheless there was plenty to discuss over refreshments when we got back to the pavilion.
