Aynho Long Walk 15th December 2016

It was a very dull and misty morning but 15 walkers set out down Portway, through the tunnel and into the field. There was a sound of gunshots. At the bottom of the field were an increasing number of hunters and a varied breed of dogs. Clearly the pheasants were in for a tough morning. In the field to the right a stag and his doe approached, paused, took in the situation, thought better of it,turned and ran off into the mist. We were greeted at the bottom of the field by a very cheerful John, but we had to get out of the way as quickly as we could. We crossed the next field and passed over the stream before turning up to the B4100 opposite Upper Aynho Grounds. We crossed the road without mishap and continued through the the grounds and into the woods beyond. We soon reached Croughton churchyard and continued into the village. The road was busy but we continued up past the school and into the field beyond. The path took us all the way to cut throat corner where we skirted round the woods to Camp Farm, and thence along the ridge and back to the pavilion. Just under seven miles. refreshments as welcome as usual.