Zac rang at 9.50 to say he had a puncture but his Mum would take him to get two new tubes from Big Peaks and he would therefore be a little late. He got here by 10.25 but took another half an hour to change the tube, so it was 11am when we finally got away on our planned route to Fermoy’s Garden Centre.

We took the usual route past Caddaford and through Staverton. Near Ambrook we came across a farmer who was struggling to get his Land Roved out of a field. Things were harder for him because he had a trailer attached that contained six bullocks. Ash decided we should stop and help him, so most of us spent some time heaving away while the farmer sat at the wheel. Jack stood back and watched, saying it was the Farmer’s problem, not his! It took a lot of effort and a great many attempts, but just when Michael was about to pull out our troops we managed to get it out.

We arrived at Fermoy’s at 12.40. Lawrence had the small roast at Michael’s suggestion but then moaned constantly that he needed the full roast despite his small size! When he had polished off the small roast he attempted to prove his point by going up again for £2 of chips! Unfortunately he ended up proving himself wrong: even though he shared them out he still couldn’t manage the few he kept back for himself. Most other people had pasties, although Ash, in contrast to Lawrence, couldn’t manage all of his.

The pet store had changed in that the furry animals and birds had now moved down with the rest of the pets. We headed back around 1.50 or so, following the usual route through Denbury and Broadhempston. Callum F was still looking around for some off-road. He had declined the woodland tracks at Orley Common on the way out, but now he was organising a group who wanted to ride Beaston! Lawrence was getting tired, the majority wanted to get home and the track would have been very muddy today, so Michael had to overrule on this occasion. He did promise a Dartmoor off-road ride next week however if the weather was suitable, and that seemed to satisfy everyone.