A cheerful morning ride to a brimming Avon Dam, buoyed by fine weather; we paused at Bloody Pool to watch model aeroplanes while curious cattle watched us, then skimmed stones before a brisk return across the moor.

A relaxed club social took us to Vue Plymouth for Quantum of Solace, with Daniel Craig giving Bond a harder edge. A taut, revenge‑driven chase through a shadowy network and an eco‑tycoon’s water plot made for brisk, bruising action and left us keen for where this Bond goes next.

Another trip to Vue Plymouth to see Quantum of Solace, a lean, relentless follow-up to Casino Royale, with Bond pursuing those behind Vesper’s death and a shadowy network. The breathless chases and stark tone made for a brisk, punchy evening.

With Michael recovering from a sickness bug, we kept it low-key: a gentle games evening with Children in Need on in the background, just the pace everyone wanted.

A chatty spin through Buckfast to Scoriton and back via Hembury featured a playful pause at Holne Park, then an odd tableau at Galant Le Bower: the Teign Valley Pedal Pushers, "Drinkers with a Cycling Problem", which left Michael unimpressed. We ended with a brisk slalom through Hembury Woods.

We kept it simple with a social evening at Tenpin, Barbican Leisure in Plymouth: one game of ten-pin bowling then several games of pool. Easy company and friendly competition set the tone for a relaxed end to the day.

With the main hall occupied at Ashmoor leisure centre, we moved to the gym, where the low ceiling made rallies awkward, yet the session still delivered good fun and solid exercise.

Exploring the new track towards Hembury Hill gave the morning its spark, adding fresh, testing sections to familiar woods and a fine descent to the riverside. A brief tumble slowed us only momentarily, and the youngsters rounded it off with an unhurried social at Crofters.

We headed to Vue Plymouth for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, a livelier sequel in which Alex and the gang crash-land in Africa, Alex reconnects with his pride and the group muddles through the wild. Sharper jokes and brisk animation made it a better night out than the original.

With Heidi needing to be back by 12.30 and ice glazing a bright morning, we kept things short: out to the back of Ashburton, up to Belford Mill and down the woodland track to town. A crisp, careful loop that traded distance for a quiet winter feel.

A rare return to Risk set the tone: we brought out the board for the first time in years and were soon locked in an action‑packed battle that ran all evening.

A crisp ride to Ilsington for Christmas lunch set the tone; we arrived early enough for a swim before an excellent meal. Though some pressed for the easier return, confidence rose after Halshanger Cross and we rolled home via Ashburton.