On a cold showery day there was quite a gathering in Plympton for the start - Julie, Graham Black, Mike Willacy, Graham Reed, Graham John, Jean Harris, Clare Hamon, Yolande Beriot and Andy Easton. Lunch was scheduled for 1.00 pm at the Leaping Salmon in Horrabridge, so Julie took us on round route to Cadover Bridge. Rather than take the Plym Valley cycle path, which we have done so many times before, we cycled up Borringdon Hill to Plym Bridge and then up Plym Bridge Lane to the George Hotel. It was still fairly early so we made our way to Bickleigh and thence to Shaugh Prior village. This was a day of some VERY steep hills. In Shaugh Prior Julie took a left along a lane which I had never been up before. Although it was steep, it turned out to be a welcome short-cut. Time was now beginning to run short, so we avoided Burrator and made straight for Meavy down the hill and over the narrow, hump-backed bridge just before the village. After due deliberation, we took a left at the road through the village and emerged shortly in Yelverton. From there we followed the main road to Horrabridge.
Caroline and Bryan Short were already there, when we arrived, as well as George, Larry, Les, Anna Bryant and Sue Etheridge, who seemed to be making a remarkable recovery after her recent and unfortunate accident on black ice. Bryan Richardson had offered to chauffeur Sue and Iris Buckler, both of whom we were all delighted to see, but then he fell ill and so Anna helpfully provided the service. Roger Floyd was there with Eddie and wife, Andy Prideaux and Jane, too. (Have I missed anybody? Apologies if I have.)
Those of us who had cycled to the Leaping Salmon were all pretty hot after our exertions; so much so that Graham Reed sensibly took his sweat-soaked cycling shirt off on arrival. Good move. The pub was badly heated and what with long waits between courses, I began to get hypothermic in my wet and clogging cycling gear - which really did spoil the pleasure of being in such congenial and warm-hearted company.
The meal was, however, reasonably priced and the meal was well cooked - when it came. We broke up - none too early from my point of view - at about 3.45 pm, glad to warm up again on our bikes after a good hour and a half of well-meant refrigeration and make it home before dark. Maybe someone should say something? Or perhaps a different venue for next year?
Photos courtesy of Graham Reed.
Caroline and Bryan Short were already there, when we arrived, as well as George, Larry, Les, Anna Bryant and Sue Etheridge, who seemed to be making a remarkable recovery after her recent and unfortunate accident on black ice. Bryan Richardson had offered to chauffeur Sue and Iris Buckler, both of whom we were all delighted to see, but then he fell ill and so Anna helpfully provided the service. Roger Floyd was there with Eddie and wife, Andy Prideaux and Jane, too. (Have I missed anybody? Apologies if I have.)
Those of us who had cycled to the Leaping Salmon were all pretty hot after our exertions; so much so that Graham Reed sensibly took his sweat-soaked cycling shirt off on arrival. Good move. The pub was badly heated and what with long waits between courses, I began to get hypothermic in my wet and clogging cycling gear - which really did spoil the pleasure of being in such congenial and warm-hearted company.
The meal was, however, reasonably priced and the meal was well cooked - when it came. We broke up - none too early from my point of view - at about 3.45 pm, glad to warm up again on our bikes after a good hour and a half of well-meant refrigeration and make it home before dark. Maybe someone should say something? Or perhaps a different venue for next year?
Photos courtesy of Graham Reed.
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