Aynho Long Walk 28th April 2016

Sixteen of us set off in bright sunshine but a cold wind down Green Lane to Lower Walton Grounds. WE passed through the dumping yard and crossed the bridge and walked out to join the road up to Kings Sutton. The track was bone dry for the first time this year. We turned off the road beside the cottages and crossed two fields up to the copse where there is always a muddy stream to cross. The paths through these fields are clearly re-established now and we were soon on the field edge down to College Farm. Here we were warmly greeted by two horses who ran up to us for a pat and a stroke. They were disappointed if expecting any treats. We continued into the village and across the green to the track past the memorial Hall and followed the path through to one new housing estate, and then on to the Banbury Road and another newly built housing development. Beyond here towards the informal park area there were piles of fresh wood chippings. Were these for people to help themselves? The station was nearby and we crossed the approach road, climbed a steep incline and followed the path round the next field to a track leading out to the road back to Aynho. We took the track across to the sewage works, identifiable from some distance by the pungency of its smell, and thence back to Lower Walton grounds before climbing the field we descended with such difficulty last week. Freshly ploughed then, it had now been harrowed and although not the most comfortable underfoot, it was a lot easier this week. We arrived back at the pavilion with a lot more cloud cover, but no sign of rain. Six miles in just under two hours meant we were all ready for Anita’s refreshments and a good chat.