We left a bit late at 11.00, then had to go to BigPeaks on the way so Gavin could fix a brake bolt on Hayley’s bike. She also ended up buying a helmet and a saddle. We got to Exeter Marsh Barton and parked near the canal at 12.15 or so. They had brought Alfie the dog with them! Harry looked very happy on his special seat.

We rode to the quayside, then past the Welcome Café, which closed in October, but we noticed it is being taken over by new owners and will start up again in January. We followed the canal path all the way to Powderham. A new path has been built from Turf Lock and a new bridge erected over the rail crossing to avoid the hazard of walking across the line. It was all very smart, but from this wonderful new path it was not possible to see the estuary at all.

We got to the Powderham road at 1.35. Here we trusted Hayley to know the way to Powderham café as we had never been there, but she was not sure. We followed Google Maps to the right and found that entrance was closed, so looking at the map on the sign we thought it would involve using the main road whichever way we went, so we carried on. But at the main road there was no pavement. Gavin tried walking with the dog, but it was way too slow and not safe for Gavin or the dog, so he doubled back along a track while we went on. Hayley then remembered going there without using the main road, and a guy told us there was a right of way to the Lodge, so he recommended trying to find that way in.

We all got to the café in the end, and it was excellent. We had to wait ten minutes for Gavin to join us, then we ate in the restaurant. Dogs were not allowed in there, so we all had to eat outside! It was a bit chilly, but OK. Soup was £5.50 so not cheap at all, but it was nice soup with thick slices of bread.

For our return journey we followed the path back to Powderham Lodge which was much easier than the route we had taken to get there. We reached the rail junction by 3.35 after Hayley needed a chain link removing. It was a bit grey and chilly now, so we rode straight back to Exeter at good speed, reaching the car by 4.30.