Just three of us set off on a wonderful balmy evening along the old road to Ashburton. The interesting paths through the town were all new to Charles, and since he is training to be an architect he was fascinated by the wedged design of Belford Mill, situated in a secluded valley behind Ashburton.

We all loved the track back through the woods, especially Sam who had great fun running up and down the trunk of a felled conifer. We had made such good time that we were able to ride the Terrace Walk along the hill that runs between the two parts of Ashburton, which offered stunning views back up to the Mill. We concluded a perfect evening ride with a climb to Druid and the subsequent descent to Peartree.