Aynho Long Walk, 31 December 2015

Five of us set off today in glorious sunshine. We took the Charlton Road and then the path up to Rainsborough Camp. Once of the road the path was a continuum of soft mud and puddles. A horse and rider preceded us and churned up more mud for us to traverse. From the camp we took the path that leads diagonally down the far side of the ridge to Lower Walton Grounds and we continued on to the cherry tree lane and out to the lay-by. Dog walkers and fathers with children were taking advantage of the weather by parking in the lay-by and enjoying themselves. We crossed the B4100 to the bridleway round to Station Road, and again it was composed of vast stretches of mud and water. This slowed us down and at Station Road we decided to cut short our walk at just over four miles and join the medium walkers in the Cartwright Hotel bar for coffee. It was a very enjoyable walk in the sunshine but treacherous underfoot.