John delivers his New Year message to the assembled throng : 'Don't walk in front of the leader'.
And we obediently follow him along a wide track
And down into the valley
A familiar view - but we don't go that way
We follow the track down
Past some floods
And across the top of the hill
Now on a narrow track
Under clearing skies
Descending towards Avening
At the first house there is a water pump
And an old picture
Continuing into the village
Over the stream
And into the churchyard
For coffee
Continuing, we head uphill, looking down into the valley
And back across to Gatcombe House
Smart gaiters (£2 in Kathmandu)
Now walking along the top
Over muddy fields
Here we follow the headland
We three trees
Nearing Chavenage
Field slightly flooded
Heading back along the familiar avenue of trees
We ponder the success of our first walk of 2018 and look forward with eager anticipation to many more
Photos and captions by Richard, processed and uploaded by Sally