On a wonderful sunny morning five of us rode along Colston Road to Staverton Bridge where the river was high and spring was bursting out everywhere. The riverside path towards the island was busy with walkers today so we only stopped long enough for a photo before crossing the steam railway line and heading back to the Hill House nursery at Landscove. Here Neil and Phil (Michael’s cousin) had arranged to meet us for refreshments, and they had already secured the sunniest spot in the garden.

We whiled away a very enjoyable hour chatting over our drinks and food, with nothing spoiling the idyllic surroundings except perhaps a few too many rooks in the enormous fir trees. When all had been said that had to be said Jude decided we should follow Michael’s optional detour on the way home via the track from Higher Penn. The first part, down the edge of the field, turned out to be very muddy in places, and whilst the woodland section was tranquil and scenic John decided Michael’s name should still be Mud for the afternoon.

We returned home by 2.20 and ended the ride there as Michael was busy with his relative during the afternoon.