We rode out along the old Ashburton road and on to River Dart Country Park where, for the first time, we were actually questioned at the gate! There was no problem of course, so we rode through the park and then up the track through Holne Woods to Holne where we enjoyed refreshments in the café. We returned home via Hawson Court.

The forecast was dry until mid-afternoon so we decided to press ahead with our planned ride to Exeter. We used two cars to take us to Starcross, then rode past Powderham castle where the deer herd was not far from the road. We had soon crossed the new level crossing gates over the main railway line and were riding up the path that runs along the Exe estuary.

John had never explored this area before, so he and the boys found it very interesting as we passed the Turf Lock hotel and joined the canal path. We soon crossed the canal bridge at Countess Weir and continued on through the River Exe Country Park towards the centre of Exeter. Here John found a new part of Exeter that he never knew existed, and it certainly changed his opinion of the city - the quayside area is a delight for cyclists and walkers alike.

We called in at our planned lunch stop - Pizza Hut - at 1pm and ordered four large pizzas for the price of two thanks to Michael's discount voucher. They were excellent of course and we had several spare slices to take home. The staff kindly boxed up John's pieces, but when he found the box was too large for his pannier rack Michael took it back to swap for two smaller boxes. This time they just gave Michael the boxes and suggested he transferred the slices at the counter. While he was doing this another member of staff knocked the box onto the floor while answering the phone, ruining two of the slices! There was no apology and no refund, so that was that. Fortunately service is usually much better.

It was getting colder and darker now, but we did the usual fifteen minute circuit of the riverside recreation ground and then started the journey back to Starcross as the first spots of rain began to fall. It gradually turned into light rain by the time we reached the car, but nobody complained as we had made the best of the good weather with an excellent ride.

Ash was late, and since everyone else was happy to try out CoD Ghosts on the PCs while they waited it was 11.35 before we finally set off up the hill to Cross Furzes. We were all fast today however and reached the top in record time. We continued to Hayford Hall and then took the track to Lud Gate. From there it was open moorland down to Chalk Ford which of course everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

We returned home via the track to Scoriton.

With rain forecast for early afternoon we planned a shorter ride, going up Caddaford Hill to Staverton and Broadhempston. This time we were welcomed at the community café and were given plenty of time to enjoy our drinks, so Michael and John made the most of the opportunity and had two coffees each.

There was time to play with the frisbee in the park before we headed home via Green Lane, arriving at 1.25 just before the rain started.