Aynho Long Walk Thursday 31st May

There was a good turnout today to support our two enthusiastic new leaders. We took the stone stile by the dads army hut in very close sultry weather. The grass was tall and colourful as we descended towards Lower Walton Grounds. The spire of Kings Sutton Church was just visible through the mist. Once through the farm area, our leaders took us through to the fields and up to the copse where the mud sucked at our boots even more strongly than last week. We were soon through and on our way down towards Kings Sutton, but turned sharply at the field edge and cross to the next field and up to the ridge again. The flowers on the rape seed had gone but the seed pods were prolific. In the fields towards Charlton the wheat was growing taller, but still very green. This part of the route is quite difficult but the farmer keeps the path clear through the crop so we were soon through the next two fields to the old stone pits. It was now very warm and people who had water bottles were the lucky ones. We passed through the village and up through Rainsborough Camp. As the ridge is no longer open we took the bridleway down to Charlton Road and walked back to the pavilion where rest and refreshment awaited.