Our familiar excursion to the Avon Dam via Dean Prior and Shipley Bridge was particularly enjoyable on this sunny evening. Everything was still and quiet by the dam, and the only sound that broke the silence near the top of the Abbots Way was our first cuckoo of the season!

It was almost dark for the final descent to Cross Furzes, but we didn't need lights until we hit the downhill to Buckfastleigh.