Lawrence, who had missed a few rides recently, want to start the ride with the hill to Cross Furzes, so that is exactly what we did. Once we had reached the top in double quick time we found that only Ash wanted to do the Chalk Ford track today - Lawrence was anxious about his brakes, and John just isn't that keen on serious off-road. So Ash did the track and the rest of us wandered over to Scoriton at leisurely pace, discussing nuclear fusion and other related topics.

Holne was the obvious next stop, but Lawrence didn't like the short steep route we took today - for him it will be Michelcombe every time from now on. At the café Lawrence wanted a half portion of soup but the chef, who didn't think he would have it if he knew its name, offered him a discount if he could guess what it was. It certainly was different, but none of us guessed that it was curried banana!

Hembury fort was the next stop, but Ash, Lawrence and Michael's excursion around the moat track proved unwise today as brambles were concealed in some of the bracken that encroached from either side.