A booking mix-up meant the fourth court had gone, so we managed on three with a run of doubles. From next week we have all four courts booked every week.

We rode into Dartmoor to seek out the historic Week Ford Blowing House, picking our way through bogs and a high O Brook. Wet feet were eased by hot drinks at Holne café, where John rejoined us on his first test ride since donating a kidney.

A brief note: all four courts were booked for us this evening, allowing for some excellent matches.

With heavy rain forecast, the ride was converted to a social: badminton instead of bikes. The downpour never quite matched the warning, but the group still enjoyed a lively session at Ivybridge.

With some of the Bovey group missing, the rest enjoyed a relaxed, good‑natured session, sharing two courts at Ashmoor Recreation Centre in Ashburton.

An impromptu change of plan saw us ride through drizzly Luxulyan Valley to the Eden Project for free entry, lunch and a tour of the biomes. The swaying Rainforest Lookout tested nerves, and bumping into long-ago club members gave the day a pleasingly unexpected turn.

An evening of badminton was overshadowed by an unexpected visitor: a bat looping the sports hall for half an hour, mistaking the gloom for a cave. Amid opened doors and nervous glances, Dillan’s yelps and dives stole the show until the creature finally found its way out.

After a games social at Crofters we headed to Ashburton for badminton, where the evening became a run of tight, testing matches. Dillan had to withdraw after his first game with a sore arm, but the rest pressed on and enjoyed some excellent play.

John’s first ride since donating a kidney called for a gentle plan. We delayed our start in the cold to browse old ride photos, then a café‑first vote in Ashburton quietly cancelled the lane loop; slow service aside, the shorter outing proved just right for his return.

Another great evening of badminton, made more interesting than usual by Gavin’s presence. Unexpectedly, he didn’t win as many games as he usually does.

A drizzly start kept us at the clubroom watching the Winter Olympics before a dry, unhurried spin to Dartington for a café stop. We looped back by quiet lanes via Westcombe Farm and a steep pull to Rattery Sawmills.

A brief note records a full complement of eight for the club’s badminton evening, enjoyed by all.