The lack of sunshine didn’t dampen the spirits of the 18 strong group of South Midlands walkers who assembled at Charlbury Railway Station, where Ian outlined the route for the day ahead.

Having completed a quick circuit of the town of Charlbury, we soon reached the Cornbury Estate with is grand house and extensive parkland, complete with a herd of deer. Later on in the walk we emerged from a hole in a dense hedge onto a very busy main road with no footpath! But fear not, our resourceful leader Ian had planned a short detour through a quiet part of Finstock to avoid the traffic.

We entered the Wychwood Forest and enjoyed a quiet lunch stop amongst the trees, well it was quiet until Mark Parker made a very lengthy speech, congratulating John on his first two years as Group Coordinator, presenting him with a card to mark the occasion and then shamelessly promoting his own walk at Upton House on Sunday 12th April!

We returned to Charlbury and where we were made very welcome in the Rose and Crown, beverages were consumed and the lively conversation continued, even more loudly.

Thanks go to Ian for another memorable walk.