A damp start meant that everyone (except Michael, who was home with a bad cold) was ready to go home after a short excursion around South Brent: this spell of bad weather is really getting to be a problem! The Totnes brigade elected to spend the afternoon at Crofters watching Star Trek videos.

More torrential rain all morning, with no sign of a let-up in the afternoon, meant that yet another ride was cancelled.

Having enjoyed the delightful but hilly riverside lanes from Totnes to Dittisham we settled down on the beach at Dittisham for a well-earned lunch. Seb should have been more careful where he sat: his embarrassment was obvious as he washed his coat in the river!

Ever since we had our first Christmas Lunch ride when the section first began, we have enjoyed the hospitality of Leusdon Lodge guest house, near Spitchwick, delightfully set in the heart of our favourite moorland scenery. In November, the previous owners sold the establishment and we were unable to make arrangements with the new owners in time for this year's event. What we came up with was the Moorland Hotel near Haytor.

The meals weren't as cheap as Leusdon, but portions were larger and quality was apparently better according to the meat eaters. If our group had been larger we'd have been given the main function room, but the dining area we were eventually allocated was lighter and offered far better views over the extensive gardens. Charlie and Thaine were certainly impressed and hoped for a repeat performance next year.

Perhaps next year the two teenage cousins from Totnes will be able to exert better control over their table manners!

Andrew Simmons and his friend joined us for this special Christmas romp across the open moor.

This year's Christmas Social was a quiet affair by our usual standards. Computer games, Pictionary, hot vegetarian mince pies and interesting conversation formed the foundation to a highly enjoyable evening.

Another exciting ride across the open moorland just behind Buckfastleigh offered plenty of entertainment.

This ever-popular game kept us well entertained for our first social of 1993.

Today's ride became yet another casualty of the bad weather, but Paul and Chris made the most of the chance for an extra Crofters social.

When Dave Robinson saw that today's Buckfastleigh morning ride was going to Widecombe, he naturally saw an ideal opportunity to visit the Green Cafe, famous within our Section for its peculiarities. He wasn't disappointed. The wicker furniture was still painted blue and the fan was still lying by the till, waiting for an opportunity to save its owner from the unhygienic occupation of handling customers' change. Unusually, however, everything we ordered today was 'on', and there was a noticeable absence of dogs, birds and eccentric old ladies.