Dayle delayed us by being late at the start, but we still got to the Ilsington House hotel by 12 noon after taking a short-cut road that we’ve never used before. Seven members used the pool, four went on a short ride and the rest spectated or chatted until the meal was served at 1pm.

This year we’d been given the main restaurant: the tables looked superb as the sunshine flooded through the front windows. At the end of the meal, Andy Guy had ice cream with no pudding and Dayle and Budgie finished up all the clotted cream between them despite Michael’s generous health warnings.

When certificates and trophies had been awarded we set off for Haytor against a stiff and cold headwind. Several didn’t have gloves (Michael included) and paid the price. Poor Charles got a puncture near Cold East Cross, but nevertheless we managed to reach Buckfastleigh just before dark. The hotel had put on an excellent spread for us this year, so I’m sure we’ll be returning again next year.