George was away collecting John from his recent surgery in Cambridge but the rest of us felt that Fermoy’s would be an excellent destination at this time of year. We rode out through Broadhempston for a change, arriving by 12:30 to find a café packed with Christmas gardeners. We had some reasonably tasty food, although prices seem to have jumped sky high without a proportionate improvement in quality. There was then time to look around the store: it seemed that the Furry Animals pet section has been removed now, but there were plenty of other things to browse.

For the return journey Michael wanted to take us along the lane past Newhouse Barton. This turned out to be muddier than the last time he rode it, which was frustrating for Jude as he was wearing his brand new Adidas trainers. We continued home via the usual route through Staverton and Caddaford.

The weather today was really quite cold at just three degrees but everyone was keen to go to Endsleigh for lunch so we set off briskly up Dean Hill, chatting briefly with Gavin near the top who was sawing up trees. By the time we reached South Brent George was regretting not finding his TOG24 gloves before the ride and suggested a visit to the warm Co-op. His fingers were extremely cold so a return home via Dartington seemed on the cards until Dillan told him to man up and loaned him his gloves.

So we pressed on to Bittaford and Ivybridge, arriving at Endsleigh just after 1pm. Now of course Dillan was beginning to understand why George had been in so much pain earlier, so we all bundled into the café for hot drinks and food.

After a quick look around the pet store we set off for home just after 2pm, aiming to get back as quickly as possible since Dillan had taken his gloves back now. Our return route took us around the Erme cycle route in Ivybridge and then home via Bittaford and South Brent. Gavin was still sawing wood as we descended Dean hill and headed for the much needed warmth of the Crofters clubroom for 3.45.