With only two of us on the ride we had the opportunity to fulfil Ben's wish of riding to the Avon Dam, something we could not have attempted at this stage in the season with slower riders.

It was a long climb via Dean Hill and Bloody Pool. When we reached Shipley Bridge there were just two cars left in the car park. Michael predicted that they would both belong to couples with dogs, and whilst Ben was for some reason annoyed that Michael made such a prediction, it was nothing to his frustration when it turned out to be correct!

The temperature began to plummet as we approached the dam, and it was this very fact that gave rise to the most incredible sight we had ever seen at the dam. The suddenly cold air temperatures caused a fog to rise off the water and roll over the outflow. It was eerie and yet at the same time magnificent, giving the area an atmosphere that we had never experienced on all our previous visits. A pair of Canada geese gradually emerged from the fog as they moved to the edge of the reservoir, and a bright moon over a red sunset added mysterious effect. This was indeed a very special moment: if we had arrived earlier the fog not have been there, and any later there would have been no light to see it.

We spent half an hour soaking up the atmosphere, then in near-darkness headed back across the open moor to the Abbots Way. Michael's powerful front light proved essential for safe navigation of the downhill track to Cross Furzes and the subsequent descent to Buckfastleigh.