The day started with heavy rain, however it was dry when we set out from Eastleach, but not for long. The day alternated between heavy showers and warm sunshine and we all ended up with wet feet.
Although starting in the small village we missed some Ramblers who were planning to join the walk - subsequently only three walkers set off, no need for a back marker.

Although sections of the path had been cleared in the winter by the Path Maintenance Volunteers there was a lot of very wet overhanging vegetation.
But we were rewarded with sightings swifts (or were these house martins?), a buzzard, later a red kite. There were also numerous beds of wild flowers and, in the sunny periods, views over Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.

We follow the river north along the valley and up to Eastleach Downs Organic Farm, (see https://eastleachdowns.co.uk/. There we join the new extensive network of recently created permissive paths with views into Oxfordshire

We stopped, as arranged at the Organic Farm Hub, a large shepherds hut with flushing toilet and an honesty box for drinks and cake. Although the wood burner had been lit we sat outside on the terrace in the sunshine. To add to the far reaching views we were able to sample three of the four different home made cakes on offer.

The walk back along the river valley was again marred by a short heavy spell of rain when even the cattle were sheltering under trees. However this was compensated during a sunny period with a fly past by the Red Arrows.

Group Photo at Eastleach