The last week of 1980 saw our special Christmas Lunch run. Some chose to make their own way to the Ship Inn at Cockwood, but we were still eleven in number at Newton. Two shining new Christmas presents attracted plenty of attention before we set off for Kingsteignton – John and Kevin are fortunate indeed to have such generous parents.

The sun brought fields and trees to life as we continued through Ideford and Luton, and we felt on top of the world. The sharp bends down to Milton Hill were negotiated without incident and soon we were speeding past Black Forest Lodge towards Cockwood. Don, Grace and the others were there waiting for us and we sat down to enjoy a really sumptuous meal.

But there were more delights in store for us that day. As a Christmas Treat, Uncle Don had baked us some of his special mince pies, renowned by cyclists throughout the county for their flavour and texture. As you can imagine, the stretch of coastline between Cockwood and Dawlish was covered with remarkable speed, even though we were now seventeen in number.

I am sure we would all like to thank Don and Grace for providing such a fitting end to our activities for 1980.

(Michael Jones)

[3 points: The Downie Family, Antony House]
[4 points: everyone else]