When a particularly nasty shower forced us to head for a bus shelter just half a mile from the start of the ride it seemed like the ride would be going nowhere today. It eased off after ten minutes so we tentatively proceeded towards South Brent, still expecting to be taking tea at the cafe and then skirting back to Buckfastleigh. On arrival, however, the cafe had shut down - probably something to do with the new owners' obvious focus on lunches - and the weather was looking quite bright.

After a series of decisions at various junctions we were soon near Loddiswell riding down a thrilling track descent between two hedgerows. Tao skidded, Gavin came off and everyone got stung at least once by the profusion of nettles that poked through the garlic. At the bottom we found ourselves in a different world: a wooded glade beside the tranquil river Avon. A pair of Canada geese and their gosling gently glided away from the bank as we approached. This was surely the world's most perfect lunch spot, the tall trees providing perfect shelter from the showers with their multiple overlapping leaf layers. There were fish of course, and plenty of intriguing paths to keep Joe entertained when he had completed his sausage roll.

Nearby was an ancient railway bridge, now almost invisible with its lichens and grassy outgrowths. This was the course of the South Brent to Kingsbridge railway many years ago, but now it made an excellent cycling route. It was gravel for the most part, but Joe found one muddy area and made the mistake of trying to ride through it. He didn't make it and ended up putting both feet in the thick mud, but his problems then got worse when he tried to walk forwards: his shoe stayed and his socked foot was unavoidably planted firmly in the mud! Poor Joe!

We eventually emerged from the wilderness near Topsham Bridge and proceeded with good speed through Moreleigh to Diptford, Rattery and home.