Aynho Long Walk 23rd March 2017

Fourteen walkers and six dogs set off this morning. We walked along the B4100 to pass the apricot blossom by the Cartwright Hotel and Roundtown. It looked lovely. We cross ed to Station Road and Millers Lane and continued through to Souldern. The field we always cross on this walk passes behind Souldern Manor. This morning the stile seemed to be taped off, but we realised this was intended to keep the horses back rather than keep us out. The same system was applied at the stile at the other end of the field. AS we passed along the path behind the houses we realised that the fence knocked down by Hurricane Doris had been replaced by a firm new fence. The daffodils were in full bloom everywhere and beautiful in the sunshine. The cherry trees and blackthorn were also very colourful. We continued up the track towards the Nancy Bowles wood and took the narrow path past the Alpaca Farm Two alpacas sat down near a horse, with a large sheep relaxing a few yards beyond. The wind across the Fritwell road was very strong, though less so than Doris had been. The blossom on the tree opposite the lane down to Souldern Church was beautiful. We passed the church and continued across fields on the Portway route. A heron rose from the stream in the woods as we approached the Northants border. We were soon back at the pavilion and joined the medium walkers for our refreshments. A six mile walk in lovely Spring sunshine.