Aynho Long Walk, January 28th 2016

We had seventeen long walkers today and it was no wonder as the weather was perfect. Such sunshine was an absolute delight. We set off through the village and down Station Road to Millers Lane, worked our way round the ford and headed out towards the motorway. A rabbit scurried along the base of the hedge on Millers Lane, exposed for all to see as there was no foliage to act as cover. On our way to the motorway underpass the ground was very marshy underfoot in spite of the fine weather. That continued to be the case right out to Station Road. We continued towards the canal using the steps down to the Great Western Arms car park and noted the pub is closed for a make-over. Along the canal was also quite muddy but very pleasant in the sunshine. At Souldern Wharf we left the towpath and walked up the lane to Souldern Village. We were a bit strung out by this time and the faster walkers went on ahead. We squelched across the fields and up the Portway path to the usual lovely refreshments in a very crowded pavilion. 6.3 miles.