Destination Hope Cove on the next Sunday, but after the period of torrential rain until “getting up time” I wasn’t too surprised to find only Val and a new rider, Richard, at Five Lanes (Marldon). I was fighting a cold but decided to carry on to the pickup at Totnes which, in the event, was deserted, and we decided on a shorter ride in the Avon Valley area. Mark apparently got to Totnes rather late and chased all day to catch us without success – maybe the fact that we were behind him had something to do with it! IN any case, he at least carried out the proper run.

In the meantime, on our unofficial run, we dealt with a non-existent puncture in Val’s tyre and had a nice leisurely picnic in the sun by the river Avon before wandering home through Rattery, Staverton and Littlehempston.

(Colin Brierly)