The most beautiful March day dawned and we set off for Adwell from where to walk back to Henley on Thames.
Our start was Wheatfield near St Andrews Church which is almost all that remains of the village of Wheatfield.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheatfield,_Oxfordshire

Where we started you can see Elm trees which is a rare sight in Britain today following the introduction of Dutch Elm disease. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulmus_procera

As we crossed the fields we stopped to watch groups of hares frollicking in the sunshine. They are such beautiful animals and were really enjoying the warmer weather and the onset of spring.

My iphone does not do justice to such sights so I have included a close up picture of a brown hare too.

Towards Pyrton you pass a farm called Model farm where you can see an example of early mechanization involved which revolutionised British agriculture

The long distance path wends its way on to Pyrton and then up towards the Ridgeway and on up to Christmas Common on the ridge above Watlington.

People driving on to the upland ground and damaging the ecology have necessitated installing natural barriers such as these tree trunks.
Red Kites were everywhere and this one perched close by on a telegraph pole to get a good view

Shelters in the woods are becoming common as children explore their natural world and amuse themselves outdoors

We are soon up in Christmas Common after a steep climb up the hill and enjoy sustenance at the local pub. http://www.brakspear.co.uk/our_pubs/pub_page/50

On through woodland towards Pishill, Bix and back to Henley on Thames

The wild plants and animals on the walk were all signs of spring