Another perfect cycling evening, and once again we were lured to the open moor. So, unfortunately, were the midges, until recently almost unheard of in Devon: on this particular evening the midge bites were so bad that we might easily have been in the Scottish Highlands.

Our route took us through Dean Prior, past Nurston farm and up to Shipley Bridge, where the last of the visitors were packing their bags to leave. The path up to the dam was almost deserted, allowing us to enjoy its splendour without interruption. There was a little time for quiet contemplation as we sat beside the reservoir, then we pushed on to the Abbots Way and the path across the open moor that we cherish so dearly. A very thin veil of summer evening mist lay across the whole region, dampening all sounds to leave us in total silence. Amidst this eerie stillness we sped through the glorious aromas of grass and pollen to Cross Furzes and hence back to Buckfastleigh, feeling much invigorated by our adventures.