There can be few more enjoyable experiences than cycling through the villages on the western bank of the river Dart on a beautiful sunny morning in late autumn. The views along the Dart were spectacular, and lunch by the quay at Dittisham made us feel as though we had journeyed back in time.

In view of the recent bad weather we decided not to chance the track to Hole Copse, instead taking the back lanes into Dartmouth. A group of local children greeted us as we climbed the steps that led to their housing estate and wanted to know if there was a CTC group in Dartmouth. Unfortunately we had to say no, but we did explain that we often cycled to the South Hams area and gave them a Highwayman magazine.

The return route used the Dartmouth ferry and took us through Paignton, which gave Graham Moates the opportunity to invite us all back to his house for light refreshments before we continued on to the Dartmoor hinterland.