Fringford

 The main reason for our trip to the area today was to do the Shelswell Loop.  A series of 17 caches plus 2 extra on a 6 mile circular walk around the village of Fringford, about 4 miles North East of Bicester.

St Michael and All Angels Church, Fringford

We were last in the area back in January 2009 to do the Larkrise to Candleford Green series so it was nice to be back walking in such lovely countryside.

A bit of a rainy start but the forecast was good so we were hopeful it would brighten up.  Some of the walk takes you through the impressive Shelswell Park Estate.

Warins Barn

To find Warin's Barn: Shelswell Loop you actually need to go inside the barn to find the cache, we were a little wary when we saw the sign but as all previous logs had reported finding the cache without injury we went in.  Interesting to note the 20 year old graffiti on the wall but it left us wondering what happened here and why it's been left derelict, further research hasn't given us the answer.  Interesting spot for a cache.

We love mud!

An enjoyable walk that is completely dog friendly, very muddy in places, mainly along the field edges and through a ploughed field but it's what is to be expected this time of year.  Completed the walk in 3 hours 45 minutes in glorious sunshine.  It really was like a spring afternoon, very uplifting to be walking in the sunshine after all the dark days, snow and rain.

Beautiful sunny afternoon

Shelswell Loop

Before leaving Fringford we stopped off for a short walk behind the church to find Deep in the Wood.  The previous log was a DNF but we thought we have a look anyway, also other finders had reported it as being a tricky to find cache.  After about 10 mins of searching I said 'that's it I give up' and went to head back to the car, Mark said 'OK I'll join you but shall I just sign the log book first' LOL!  I will have to try that method in future but sooner next time!

Stopped off in Hethe to do a couple of the Lark Rise to Candleford caches that have appeared since we did the series back in Jan 2009.

View from Hethe Bridge

Just time to do a short series along an old tarmaced road, which is now gated, looks like it was cut through when the A43 was built.  Very peaceful walk along the lane.

Gated Lane Nr Stoke Lyne

There were many fieldfares in the fields and flying overhead, a beautiful sight.

Fieldfares

 A 1.5 mile walk to the to of the lane and back.

Time to head home and on the way picked up a few more of the Just Northamptonshire caches, we've found 4 previously and #21, #20 and #28.....   7 down, 109 to go!