The weather didn't look too promising for a beach run, so we settled into the cafe near the old Totnes Bus Station just to see whether the rain was going to stop. Four of us ordered tea-cakes, but Paul and James said they could only afford drinks. A little later, when the teacakes were half-eaten, the proprietor arrived with two more for Paul and James - with the compliments of the house! It later transpired that a woman sitting at a nearby table had overheard the boys saying they couldn't afford teacakes and had ordered them at her own expense - anonymously! Now you don't often see that kind of generosity these days. As if this wasn't enough, the proprietor gave us a bag of fresh plums as we left.

A short ride to South Brent and Aish was agreed upon, although we began to question the decision along the Avonwick road as the mist thickened and the drizzle quickened. We enjoyed lunch of sandwiches and plums by the Avon at Shipley, surrounded by dampness, and then returned to Buckfastleigh across the moor. Bob and James, both on touring bikes, weren't too sure what to say about the rough sections of the route, so they tried to sound averagely enthusiastic. The ride just happened to finish at Crofters (how Michael wished that Dave H had been out) so nobody declined the offer of hot tea.