An easy-going games evening became strategic as a new Risk sparked alliances—George with John, Dillan with Michael—and we stopped with general agreement that Dillan was strongest. Beforehand we debated alternatives to the fully booked Ilsington Hotel for the Christmas Lunch ride.

Surface water defined the day: cars sent a wave over Dillan, filling his shoes. Coffee at Costa Kingsteignton steadied things; plans switched from Trago to Subway, and a smooth run home via East Ogwell and Denbury ended a ride better than it began.

Advertised as a video evening, it turned into games, with the younger members absorbed in Supreme Commander while John and Michael chatted and sketched tour ideas for 2017. We still watched a Star Trek original series episode, which John found interesting.

A quiet Games Evening with just George and Dillan soon warmed up: after some computer games, we all switched to Twenty Questions and kept it going until 10.15—a simple, lively round that had everyone laughing.

A brisk run along the back lanes to Endsleigh, opting for the quiet farm café after finding a huge queue at the main one. We returned via Ivybridge, where George bought a Subway while others tried cheap Tesco sandwiches that disappointed, rounding off an energetic ride.

A quiet games evening with only George and Dillan attending, starting with Supreme Commander on the PCs before we all switched at 9pm to Star Wars Monopoly. The move from real-time strategy to galactic property dealing set a relaxed, good-humoured tone.

On a sunny but chilly ride to Holne, the day hinged on Gavin’s rear puncture and split tyre, kept going by repeated pumps until Hayley arrived with replacements. Slow service from new chef Pippa at the Holne Community Cafe added to the wait before we rolled back via Hembury Woods.

A straightforward evening outing to Vue Plymouth for Rogue One; everyone enjoyed it, though Michael reflected that the franchise now leans too heavily on familiar motifs to remain recognisably Star Wars.

A frosty start and a smooth run to the Edgemoor Hotel for Christmas lunch, but the day turned on a long wrangle when we were billed full prices instead of the agreed £21. The £2.80 blackcurrant and soda said it all; dispute resolved, we headed back as the light faded.

Our pre-Christmas social shifted from Charades to a marathon Monopoly, with George the eventual winner after securing Mayfair and Park Lane while the rest repeatedly landed on them. A friendly evening of luck and collective groans at the roll of the dice.

Though Julian had to leave just as others arrived, the Christmas reunion became a calm afternoon of conversation and Michael’s newly edited tour videos. It closed with a clear outcome: plans for a reunion cycle ride in June.

A brief off‑bike social: an evening drive to Plymouth for three games of Pool at Tenpin.