Olly seemed surprised when we took the old Ashburton road to get to Landscove: being an ex-pupil of Landscove primary school he thought he knew everything there was to know about getting there! He was reassured when he saw the sign to Landscove, although wasn't so happy when he saw where it was pointing - up the steep hill to Chuley cross!

We turned left at Parkfield cross and then took a vote on whether to take the muddy track or the Thornecroft lane route to Landscove. There were some tense moments when the votes were evenly split, but eventually Jordan swung the decision by changing his vote (under a little pressure) in favour of the track.

The field sections were fine, but around one of the middle gates there was what can only be described as a mud bath. Jordan was beginning to regret his change of vote as he carefully picked his way through the mud. A few seconds later he chose just the wrong spot to step and his foot became totally submerged in the quagmire. He hopped around swearing for at least a minute during which time of course he got even muddier - poor Jordan!

The gardens at the Hillside tearooms have been improved recently with the addition of lawn seats and a circular pond where the large oak seat and table used to be. We enjoyed Salcombe Dairy ice creams and other refreshments, then the youngsters had a lot of fun running around the many paths that surround the garden, hiding from each other.

On the way out Olly, Sam and Zac practiced their fishing skills by trying, unsuccessfully, to catch fish from the nursery fishpond, and Dennis found himself in deep trouble with Michael for interfering with one of the lemons in the greenhouse.

After a few minutes playing in the nearby playing field we headed home via Green Lane, delayed a little by Olly who suffered the consequences of trying to turn on gravel. Fortunately he was wearing gloves and long trousers, so he got away with just a few bruises.