Rain was forecast for the afternoon so Michael planned a short ride with optional extensions so that we wouldn’t be caught too far from home if the rain came early. We rode through Buckfast and, much to Hallam’s delight, along the lower Hembury Track – he frequently rides that way on his horse.

After climbing the hill to Humphrey’s Cross we rode back to the top of Hembury and along the track to the fort. Here the youngsters bought chocolate and played happily with the whistler rocket. After riding down the slalom track the rain still hadn’t started so we turned left along the main woodland path and then returned along the riverside path where we met one of our senior members Richard Hopper.

There was time for some mud jumping and stone skimming across the calm river before we headed home, arriving at Crofters at 1pm just as the first drops of rain began to fall. An afternoon games social was arranged until 3.45.