At last! Successful rendezvous at Gappah! Yes, believe it or not gentle reader, the Torbay and South Dartmoor Sections finally achieved the impossible – meeting up in the right place at the right time. Perhaps the ‘Gappah Jinx’ has been beaten once and for all?

After the exhilarating descent to Starcross with its tricky hairpin we made our way to our lunch stop, the Ship Inn at Cockwood. A section of the establishment had been reserved for us by prior arrangement and the assembled throng (of twenty) tucked into a variety of dishes, made all the more tasty by the generous discounts given. (I can recommend the vegetable curry!)

We eventually tore ourselves away and a number of overladen bicycles made their way to Dawlish Warren and then to Dawlish via the coast path (actually a footpath so be sensible if you use it). The final section was awash under heavy seas so we switched to the road for the five minute journey to our next port of call, Hawtreys, where abundant quantities of mince pies, cakes and tea were generously provided by Don and Grace Hassall.

A few softies wanted to catch the train to Newton Abbot again but the majority decision was to cycle, and darkness fell as we passed through Bishopsteignton. After a short delay in Newton to effect lighting repairs we arrived home at about 6.30, ready for our supper (small portions of course).