The Rogers family were a bit late arriving as George got a blowout as they were leaving. When everyone had arrived we had a coffee and agreed to do the Avon Dam today, one of Lawrence’s favourite rides, since Will was not coming and he really doesn’t like the muddy tracks. We also made plans for our Easter tour.

We finally got away at 11.20. Only Michael had proper gloves for some reason but we didn’t seem to need gloves as we rode up Dean Hill. By the time we had ridden through Harbourneford and reached Bloody Pool Cross Dillan needed to borrow Michael’s gloves but Lawrence said he was fine in just a t-shirt. Things were very different by Shipley Bridge however when Lawrence had his fleece back on and was desperately trying to borrow Michael’s gloves off Dillan. Unfortunately Michael needed them back so both Dillan and Lawrence had to keep their hands in their coats and fleeces.

We pressed on to the first gate where we stopped for some refreshments and photos, then continued to the reservoir which looked rather bleak and grey today in the cold wind. There was of course even more of a cold wind up here and Michael had to keep sharing one of his gloves with first Lawrence and then Dillan. John was cold too but seemed to manage OK without gloves.

The open moor was a bit boggy in places but we got through fine, then continued to the top of the Abbots Way path where we got the fabulous views across South Devon. The wind was now mainly behind us. Once we had negotiated the very boggy section past Water Oak Corner, which left Dillan swearing, Lawrence muddy and John, well, not saying much, the going was easy and fun down to Cross Furzes. We finally got home by 2.25, just 20 minutes later than predicted at the Dam. We were all so pleased to get into the warmth of Crofters that some just lay in front of the fire for half an hour to thaw out.

We had lunch, then when George got back up from having a shower at home we finished the afternoon with some trial games of Supreme where George and Dillan sent loads of low-tech units in to Lawrence and Michael but still somehow didn’t manage to win. Everyone left soon after 4.30.