With rain pouring down at 2pm it looked very much as though our weekend would be a washout. Phil Stone rang Crofters Control to see if the ride was cancelled, but the forecast was encouraging so we decided to press ahead. By the time those who had forgotten their hostel cards (including Budgie!) had returned home to fetch them the weather was actually quite pleasant when we finally set off. We did get one shower on the way to the 4.30 Chudleigh pick-up, where Tao and Eliot had been waiting rather impatiently for some time, but otherwise we were fortunate with the weather.

As we were passing Christow BMX track we couldn’t resist the small detour up the hill for some fun. A local lad who we had met here before was on the track again today, and he really enjoyed showing off his skills and chatting with us again. Neil tried a stunt - against Michael's advice - and ended up with a nasty graze on his arm, but he decided to postpone a hospital trip until tomorrow.

Steps Bridge hostel is a "simple" hostel situated high in Bridford Wood. We had heard rumours that the hostel had been improved since our last visit, but when we arrived at 6.45 it was clear that these were indeed nothing more than rumours, although the hostel was quite cosy. An interesting range of meals was prepared in the small kitchen, mostly based on pasta although Budgie was more adventurous with his rice meal.

Rain set in for the rest of the evening, so after a short walk before dark our time was spent mainly on a debate and card games in the common room. When it came to bedtime it was, unusually, Budgie who seemed least interested in sleep!

[This report was written in 2014 from the following notes - please tell us if you see any errors]

[Rain pouring down at 2pm, looked as though weekend would be a washout. Phil Stone rang up to see if cancelled. Several forgot hostel cards, including Budgie, and had to go back for them. Actually quite nice when set out at 3.30pm. Shower on the way to Chudleigh pick-up. Tao and Eliot had been waiting a little while when we arrived.
Christow BMX track, local lad met us again and chatted for a while. Neil tried a stunt and grazed his arm, just as MJ predicted. He chose to leave hospital visit until next day. Arrived at hostel approx 6.45pm. Talk of it having been improved turned out to be nothing more than rumours, although it is quite cosy. Interesting range of meals were cooked, mostly based on pasta, although Budgy did an interesting rice meal. Rest of evenin it rained, so mainly indoor debate and card games, plus a short walk before dark. Budgy difficult to calm down in dorm.]

Our sleep was rudely disturbed in the middle of the night by the alarm going off in the National Park van parked in the car park. It might have been this that led Keir to give up on sleep: he was dressed and sitting up on his bed at 7am, then couldn't resist waking up Harry and Luke.

Michael had obtained milk from the warden and wanted to make sure that everyone got as much as they needed for a fair price. It was amusing to see him measuring out the milk and calculating the correct charges to the nearest penny.

We managed to get everyone out of the hostel by 9.45, fifteen minutes before closing time, and then set off along the riverside bridleway through Dunsford Wood. The paths were great fun and not too muddy. The youngsters were enjoying them so much that they raced on ahead and succeeded in upsetting a group of walkers. Some strong words from Michael put matters right and order was quickly restored.

There were a lot of ramblers at Fingle Bridge taking part in a Greenpeace walk. We climbed the steep Hunters Path to the top of the woods and then enjoyed the fabulous descent down the side of the valley, affording us spectacular views.

After lunch at the bottom the showers began for our return across the moor. Harry had a near miss with a car, but we managed to reach Chagford in sixteen pieces and decided to try the Old Forge tearooms. We were almost put off by the expensive and exclusive appearance of the frontage, but inside it actually turned out to be very good. It also provided comfortable shelter from a spell of rain that had come along.

The rain had turned to showers again by the time we left, so we headed straight home via Hound Tor and Cold East Cross, stopping for ice-creams and Frisbee fun at the former. An extended computer games social at Crofters helped make up for the slightly inclement weather and finished off an enjoyable weekend.

[This report was written in 2014 from the following notes - please tell us if you see any errors or omissions]

[National Park van alarm went off in night. Keir awoke early, MJ looked across and saw him sitting on his bed, dressed, at 7am. Then he stirred up Harry and Luke! Breakfast milk was measured out by MJ, charges calculated to the nearest penny. Managed to clear out of hostel by 9.45am. Problem on path when some didn’t wait and upset a group of walkers. Strong talk from MJ put the matter right, however, and order was quickly restored. Paths were great fun and not too muddy. Greenpeace walk at Fingle. Climbed the path,spectacular views, great descent, lunch at bottom, showers began, incident with Harry almos hitting car, Chagford Old Forge tyearooms, looked expensive and exclusive on the outside but actually very good - and offered shelter from the rain. Still showers when we left so straight homewards via Hound Tor (frisbee and ice-cream van) and Cold East Cross. Crofters by 4.15, extended computer games social to conclude the day.]