The Acland's were a few minutes late at the start, but after a short time we all agreed on a ride that would bring us back through Hembury.

We had an excellent ride with lots of interesting conversation all the way through Buckfast to Scoriton. We stopped briefly at Holne Park for chocolate and swings and photographs, then headed to Galant Le Bower.

Here we met the Teign Valley Pedal Pushers, a group of adults who resembled our group only insofar as owning bikes: they were consuming alcoholic drinks right off the bikes and wore shirts that bore the motto "Drinkers with a Cycling Problem". Michael was really not amused!

We concluded the ride with a visit to Hembury Fort and the exciting Slalom descent through Hembury Woods, returning home by around 12.45.

We enjoyed a game of ten-pin bowling and several games of pool this evening at Plymouth.

There were no participants out for today's ride, so the ride was cancelled.

Badminton at the Ashmoor leisure centre provided good fun and exercise despite the low ceiling - we were obliged to use the gym because the main hall was in use.

We rode to the bottom of Hembury Woods, turned left along the track and halfway up turned right to take the new track back towards Hembury Hill which offered us some new and interesting cycling.

We crossed the road and then took some tracks that led us eventually down to the riverside. Ryan H took a tumble which delayed us a bit, but by the time we got home at 12.50 everyone had really enjoyed a great morning out on the bikes. As a reward the youngsters were allowed to stay at Crofters until 3pm for an after-ride social.

This evening's social was a trip to Vue cinema at Plymouth to see the newly-released movie Madagascar Escape 2 Africa, which turned out to be much better than its predecessor.

Heidi had to be back for 12.30 today on a morning that was bright and sunny but also cold and icy. We therefore contented ourselves with a ride to the back of Ashburton, up to Belford Mill and down the woodland track back to Ashburton.

For the first time in many years we took out the Risk board and enjoyed an action-packed game that lasted the whole evening.

Sam and Ollie decided to join us as well today because Heidi was unwell. Ryan met Michael and Ash at Crofters and they rode down to the start together to meet Sam and Ollie. Ash did really well on the ride to Ilsington despite his sore knee and we arrived at the hotel for the Christmas lunch at around 1205, which was a good deal earlier than we had expected.

Everyone had a good time swimming and using the other pool facilities, then we settled down in the restaurant for our meal at 1.20. The meal was excellent - Ashley had the courgette soup, roast turkey and chocolate mousse desert.

We managed to leave the hotel at around 1435, and whilst Ashley and the others were pressing to go back the easier way via Bickington they were fine once we reached Halshanger Cross. We all enjoyed the ride home via Ashburton and the short social at Crofters.

This evening's social was a trip to Vue cinema at Plymouth to see the movie The Day the Earth Stood Still. Everyone thought it was an excellent evening.