A lively Autumn opener at Ashmoor as eight played rotating games for an hour while Michael sat out with an elbow injury. The pace told on the kit, with three shuttlecocks wrecked, one completely.

A new day ride explored secluded lanes to Coffinswell and Daccombe, feeling far from Torquay; a steep climb delivered us to the edge of Barton before Google led us to our first club stop at the M&S café. Sunshine and easy chat sealed a quietly satisfying success.

With two away for half term, the rest enjoyed lively badminton at Ashmoor using new shuttlecocks. A misfired attempt at a Round Robin—everyone playing everyone—became the day’s talking point, with plans to bring a printed sheet next week to get it right.

Plans for Haytor Quarry and Hundatora were abandoned as the biting wind and cold made the moor untenable, so we took a sheltered route through River Dart Country Park and Holne Woods, warming up at the Holne café. Autumn views from Holne Bridge and old Leo the farm dog turning back gave the day its character.

With the usual badminton group absent, probably due to half term, Jude and Dillan still played a few games while Michael watched rather than joined in, resting his elbow. A quiet evening, defined by persistence over numbers.

Relentless rain scuppered the planned ride to Hembury and Holne; with the downpour heavy by the start time, we called it off. The day’s sole achievement was Jude quietly finishing his maths homework in the morning before we conceded defeat to the weather.

Michael’s new forms turned our badminton at Ashmoor into a smooth round-robin with proper scores; Will topped the table, Jude was runner-up. Beforehand, three of us warmed up with a low-key computer games session at Crofters.

A social badminton evening defined by exceptional play throughout. Dillan Edwards took the overall win, with George Rogers a very close second.

With Jude unwell, just two set out from Buckfastleigh to Dartington, where the former Venus site has become a temporary café. We warmed up from the chill November air over excellent coffee and a teacake before self‑timer photos and a quiet return via Staverton Bridge.

Four of us played a compact round-robin so everyone met everyone; Dillan Edwards won all his games. A straightforward evening, with his clean sweep the talking point.

A steady run to Fermoys via Ipplepen revolved around food: a surprisingly good vegetarian nut roast and, happily, much faster service than on our last visit. A quick call at the Ipplepen Co‑op for blueberries—and a comparison with Buckfastleigh’s—added a small, personal touch.

A lively badminton evening was defined by Michael, hampered by tennis elbow, bravely switching to his left hand; as the games went on he improved and even took points off right-handed opponents. Dillan won, with Jude second and George third.