After some debate the group chose Venford over Ashburton on a superb sunny morning. We rode up Silver Street where we met Ash’s friend Barnaby and his friend. Barnaby makes musical instruments and hopes to make a career from it, so we had an interesting chat with him.

Our favourite dog Leo was not in evidence in Scoriton today despite the good weather, but his friend the Border collie was there and greeted us warmly. Ex-member Brodie Scott met us on the road and rode with us through Michelcombe to Holne, giving Ash a good run for his money up the hill. He continued up to Venford but now Jack decided he wasn’t as fit as he used to be and preferred not to go up the hill. So we spent some time in the park while Michael changed his front brake cable, then as usual went to the café where we were, surprisingly, the first customers of the day at 11.50. The food and drink was very tasty today – Will and George had hot scones, cream and jam which they said was excellent.

We returned via Hembury fort and the slalom track – it was great to see that both Will and George really like off-road riding now. George did have a problem with the zip tie breaking on his rear mudguard, but he preferred to press on rather than remove the mudguard, so father will be sorting that later.

We got home for 1.40 or so and played computer games until around 4pm.