After a breathless week looking at the weather forecasts and threats of rain, the day arrived and seventeen men assembled in the car park at Woodcote village hall under clearing skies. With rain promised for later, we had better get a move on. The leader marched us down the hill, and then he marched us up again through fields of horses and wheeling red kites. Not content with that, it's straight past the coffee shop and we have to do it all over again. This time we see distant views of a familiar pub - no, we're not going there. We are ready for our picture to be taken by Bill - thank you. With growing doubts about our leader's map reading, we continue up Urquhart Lane with an eye on the clock and opening time. For some, this is too much and they stride ahead but take care to keep the group safe and shout warnings about passing traffic. There are also warm greetings for cyclists and passing equestrians. The pub is busy; everyone gets served; lunch consumed; the gentle rain arrives. We take a detour to avoid a very muddy field. We find ourselves in a strange glade inhabited by sculptures and flowering camellias. Up the road, Dave(thank you) takes us to an extraordinary sculpture and hence a quiet lane back to the start point. The merriment continues as we say goodbye and the after-walk social transfers to the pub whilst it tips down with rain. We were indeed lucky!

Thank you John for looking after us so well and leading us through some pastures new!