Today's advertised morning ride was quickly changed to a car-assisted day ride at the start. The new start point was Starcross car park, from where we splashed our way along Powderham lane to the level crossing and the beginning of the path to Turf Lock. The going was somewhat muddy, but the views across the Exe estuary were magnificent on this sunny November morning.

The multitude of wading birds foraging on the mud-banks were attracting flocks of bird-watchers equipped with the very latest in ocular enhancements, so progress along the canal path proved slower than expected. It was 12.30 when we arrived at the Waterfront area of Exeter, browsing all the interesting restaurants and cafes in search of the perfect venue for our mid-day meal. After a thorough exploration of the many cycle paths that lines the canal through the centre of Exeter we eventually returned to the Waterfront to enjoy some very large and tasty pizzas in the afternoon sun.

Riding back along the canal path to Starcross we decided that a few more car-assisted rides during the winter months (with lunch out of course) may not be such a bad idea!