Returning to the Hunters’ Path above Fingle Bridge, we climbed from the Teign’s quiet woods to wide valley views before tackling the Fisherman’s Path back beside the river. Mothers’ Day crowds denied coffee at Fingle, but pastries by the water and a drowsy thaw by the inn’s stove set the day’s cosy, unhurried mood.

An enjoyable round-robin ended with Jude Norris and Mark Thomas sharing the win, while Michael Jones returned to form after his elbow injury. The upbeat mood had everyone asking for another session next Friday.

With a bigger group than usual, we completed a full badminton tournament at last, capped by Dillan’s five-win triumph. The strong turnout and close results left everyone keen to carry on into the summer term for the first time.

Cold and a recovering Michael trimmed plans, turning a late start into a gentler loop: Ashburton, a negotiated passage through River Dart Country Park, then up through Holne and back via Hembury Woods. It ended with warm coffee and conversation at the M&S café.

A sunlit push along the Granite Way became memorable for an unexpected sighting of Emma Watson at the Lydford Gorge café. We still pressed on to Okehampton for cake on the station platform and swept back late, Michael stoic despite a cold.

A sunny Easter spin built around the Starcross-Exmouth ferry and the gentle rail-path to Budleigh culminated in discovering a far better return via Aylesbeare, wondering why we had ever used Woodbury. A comically slow latte and a 'maintained' muddy track added colour.

Plans for Dartmeet were derailed by a seized chain, sending us off-road over the moor to Chalk Ford. The day became a thwarted quest for coffee—rebuffed by a pub offering only crisps and by the closed Holne community café—though we did befriend two pigs destined, their owner said, for bacon.

A change of plan from daunting Dartmeet to gentler Landscove tempted John to join, and we enjoyed coffee and cake in the garden at Hill House Nursery before heading back so he could dash off to Exeter to look for a new Volvo, to Michael’s quiet satisfaction.

One of our shortest rides became a tour of the Dart Valley Railway at Buckfastleigh after Jude discovered the station for the first time. The old maze has gone, replaced by a play area, to Dillan’s disappointment, and we ran out of time to ride.

Heavy rain cancelled the planned ride; Dillan and Jude spent the afternoon practising guitar instead, turning it into a low-key music social.

With the heat too much for distance, we kept it brief: a short ride up Green Lane to the Hill House garden centre and an hour cooling off in the shaded gardens before heading back. A gentle outing defined by the weather.

Skipping Holne, we took Colston Road to the café at Dartington Shops, where Gavin’s family joined us for coffee. Group photos in the sunshine set the mood before a relaxed ride home via Staverton Bridge.