With showers forecast for the morning and rain for the afternoon we set off up Wallaford Road with a plan only to make up a route as we went along. It was still dry after a brisk climb to Cross Furzes, so we headed through Combe to Holne with the idea of possibly going to Venford or Ashburton. Stopping outside the café we had just decided not to stop there when a rain shower began, so we did the sensible thing and spent an enjoyable half an hour sampling the cream of carrot soup and other tasty refreshments. Dillan seemed reluctant to break into his notes – we think he is saving up for something – but in the end he bought a toasted teacake.

The sun was shining again as we left, but as it was nearly 1pm we were now forced us to head more directly home via Hembury Woods so as to avoid the later rain. Only Lawrence rode the ‘Slalom’ track through the woods, although everyone rode around the fort. The rain began as we reached Buckfastleigh, almost exactly as we had planned.