The sky was cloudless for our second youth hostel weekend of the year and the temperature was a very comfortable twenty degrees. Louis and Will were all kitted out with panniers for their first weekend awheel and everyone was full of eager anticipation as rode through South Brent and Wrangaton to California Cross.

The garage provided a useful and affordable refreshment stop, then we took a small detour off the main road along the narrow path that descends to the river Avon. Bluebells abounded in the woodland beside the river, and the silence was only broken by the youngsters playing with tree-stumps. The old railway track brought us back to tarmac roads at Loddiswell from where we made good speed to Malborough garage and our main shop stop before the hostel. Here we bought bread, milk, yoghurts and a frozen banoffee pie!

We didn't arrive at Salcombe hostel until after 7pm, but the evening was so warm that nobody minded at all. When the youngsters had finished running all over the hostel to explore its many rooms and corridors we prepared our meals in the newly refurbished kitchen and then prepared for our evening walk along the coast path.

James remarked that he had never seen such a magnificent view as we got from the path overlooking Salcombe estuary, from the wide open sea to the right, past Prawle Point with its lighthouse and right along the estuary to the flickering lights of Salcombe itself. There were sadly no glow-worms to be seen this year, probably because we were a few weeks too early, but there was plenty of opportunity for us to contemplate the universe as we sat on the wooden seat tucked under the cliff looking out over the remote and beautiful Starehole Bay.

(Previous recorded mileage for today's ride was 22 miles)

Sunday morning dawned all too soon for Will who seemed very content to stay in bed for a good deal longer. We ate breakfast on one of the huge mahogany tables in the dining room, then enjoyed a free tour of the National Trust tropical gardens before setting off down the hill to the first beach. Nobody was in any hurry this morning, so the youngsters had time to play with the Frisbee or just wade out through the waves. Will's first throw sent the high-flying aerobie into the hotel park, and during the retrieval process Louis discovered the duck pond with real live ducklings. He keeps ducks of his own, so he should have known that it was a big mistake to try to pick one up: the mother flew straight at him in full attack mode!

The second beach looked fun as well, but as it was now past 11am we pressed on to Salcombe ferry terminal and waited patiently while the little ferryboat cleared the queue in front of us. It took two trips to take us all across to East Portlemouth. The outdoor cafe just above the jetty (see picture) provided a delightful setting for refreshments, with stunning views across the estuary and some delicious organic coffees!

Some twisty lanes, a ford and a steep climb brought us quickly to Chivelstone from where the route to Torcross was relatively easy. Louis did report a strange sound coming from a hedgerow, however, that he described as "cheep-cheep-hiss"; his conclusion was that it was a bird being eaten by a snake!

After a short pause to admire the superb views across Slapton Ley we descended the final hill into Torcross, purchased lunch from the village store and settled down on the quiet beach to enjoy it. The youngsters managed to upset the owner of the adjacent beach who insisted that it was his own private property and they had no right to play on it. Michael pointed out that there were no signs to that effect for people approaching from Slapton, but he didn't seem interested in discussing the matter.

It was 2.30 and the most direct route home seemed like a sensible idea. We rode through Slapton village, climbed the big hill and then proceeded home along quiet country lanes via Moreleigh, Diptford and Rattery. Strangely enough, everyone seemed to get faster as we got closer to home, so we got back at a very acceptable time. Congratulations to everyone for helping to make this an excellent weekend.

(Previous recorded mileage for today's ride was 30 miles)