A late-opening Costa at Marsh Mills set the tone for a relaxed evening before badminton at Plymouth Life Centre, whose vast hall made play a pleasure. The night was marked by Lawrence’s last outing before his five-week trip to London.

With illness, grey skies and a lunchtime deadline, we kept it to a short loop via Cross Furzes and Michelcombe. A surprise meeting with Leo in Scoriton and a welcome café stop at Holne for soups and toasties gave the ride its warmth before an easy return over Hembury Hill.

A straightforward, cheerful games night: the youngsters started with Disc Jam on the PlayStation 4, then moved on to PC games, and enjoyed every minute.

What began as a 24‑mile loop to Haytor became a detour via Ilsington when Jude fell ill, sending us up a steep wooded climb and along seldom‑used lanes. Sue kindly kept the village shop open for coffee and cake, and John’s lengthy pause proved to be a Mother’s Day phone call, not failing legs.

For the final social of the season, the youngsters led the way: pizza in Plymouth, then a 9pm badminton booking at the Life Centre that left everyone happily exhausted.

On a sunny spring morning we rode to Staverton Bridge for a quick photo among the walkers, then on to Hill House Nursery where Neil and Phil had bagged the sunniest garden table and we lingered over drinks. A muddy detour from Higher Penn earned Michael the nickname “Mud” before an early finish.

An easy evening ride to Staverton Park via the riverside path was defined by Michael’s new Volt 1200 front light, whose beam impressed everyone and showed how far bike lights have come. We returned by the usual lanes past Hole Farm and Caddaford.

On the hottest day of the year we rode out to Fermoys at Ipplepen for drinks and paninis, a relaxed ride enlivened by Tao's 'shortcut' that added distance and climb. The return brought its own curiosity: a junction with 34 manhole covers near Denbury.

With Michael recovering from a virus, the planned evening ride became badminton at Ashmoor followed by a Music Quiz at Crofters. The Ashmoor Costa machine kept everyone going, and Dillan was the undisputed 2017 quiz winner.

Despite a bad cold, Michael shepherded a brisk Princetown outing that the youngsters turned into a full circuit with cunning car assists. A welcome return to the Foxtor café and a downhill chase to Plymbridge — he arrived only minutes ahead — gave the day its flavour.

Our evening ride climbed Dean Hill and circled Harbourneford to a bench above South Brent, where Michael’s new camera did well in poor light. The standout novelty was a first-ever Co‑op snack stop before we headed back via Marley Head.