Drizzle at the start turned into spells of heavier rain that threatened to incite a mutiny by the time we reached Ivybridge. The forecast had promised a dryer afternoon, however, so we followed the cycle path to Plympton and then took to the newly-tarmacked Plym Valley cycleway as far as the wooded glade that has been our lunch spot on this ride since anyone can remember. Spells of light rain endured for a mile or two longer, but once we emerged at the other end of the tunnel, new rays of sunshine proved the forecast correct.

Burrator Reservoir was fairly busy, but the ice cream saleswoman had to manage without our business today. Julian briefly considered taking the rough moorland track to Princetown but eventually agreed with the rest of us that it would probably be wet and hard going as a result of the earlier rain. Instead we took Tao's recommendation of a shortcut along the old railway line down to the main road, which actually proved quite interesting.

On arrival at Princetown we were disappointed to see that the extravagant Lords Tearooms had now shut down, leaving only the original Foxtor cafe that had earned a somewhat lacklustre reputation over the years. A change of ownership at the Foxtor, however, meant no budgies or table service but a greatly improved menu - the hot fruit scones and delicious hot chocolate made the whole stop highly memorable. Suitably refreshed we proceeded with good speed through Hexworthy to Holne and Buckfastleigh, where we all felt need of hot showers, good food and a long night's sleep.