Aynho Long Walk 2nd March 2017

Fourteen walkers set out down Green Lane this morning. It was bright and sunny, but the remnants of Doris still seemed to linger on. Green Lane was quite muddy but nothing like previous years. At the bottom the track along the valley was awash with water so we followed the lower field edge all the way to the gap into the next field. On the way we surprised a small herd of deer. One of the herd ran out ahead and dashed across the field. The others followed soon after at a similar speed. In the next field it was much less muddy and the footbridge at the end was quite dry. We followed the further two fields along their edges and then through the gate into the old stone pits where we began to pick up a strong smell of manure. It strengthened further as we approached the remaining two fields where the reason became obvious. A tractor muck spreading nearby. We passed down through Charlton Village and back via the base of Rainsborough Camp and the track along the ridge. It was here that the strong cold wind hit us head on and slowed us a little. Not as bad as Doris last week though. Still it was good to get back to the pavilion for the usual delicious refreshments.