Dartmoor Cream Tea 2010
26th June 2010
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As Ride Captain for the above, as for the last two years, I had made a very tongue-in-cheek e-mail mention a few days before that I had ordered good weather and extra clotted cream. I hadn’t realised I had such influence! If it was actually down to the contacts of our own Chaplain, Reg, then I do apologise! What a day it was. Sun, blue skies and temperature rising even as the participants met at around 1000 at the Haldon Grill, Exeter for the customary pre-ride breakfast. Riders were myself Pat Sturman, President Pete Lambourn, Simon and Claire Anderson, John Rolfe, Steve and Gill Derwin, Aaron Bevan who had ridden up from Cornwall, Gerry Coulter-Smith and guests Penny Bull, who has ridden with us regularly before and Claire’s brother Paul Desbois. (Cracking name Paul, must be French or Channel Isles I assume. Apologies Claire, I’ve probably been told but with my memory… ). Regular John Cooke could not attend due to his recent second knee operation (get totally well soon John) and Muddy Waters, usually with Leslie, which left Simon with the honour of tackling the largest breakfast and with photographic evidence. I made a purchase of a jar of the Grills own banana curd to adorn my breakfast toast in the near future. I can highly recommend their products.
After a little fiddling with bike to bike radios, with little success all round, the group set off a little after 1100, towards the M5 and found immediately a serious hold up, perhaps due to an overturned caravan a little further North, as we hit the back of a queue and began to heat up. The original intention was to take the second junction off, to the A30 West but a decision was made to take the first, through Alphington. Unfortunately my thinking was also that of many others and we were about 30 mins late before we finally emerged at the junction of the A30 with the B3212 and turned onto the beautiful leafy lanes towards Moretonhampstead, passing through Dunsford, Sampford Courtenay and Jacobstowe, at a steady rate, enjoying the lovely views of wooded valleys and rolling hills. After about 1 1/2hrs we arrived at the planned stop at Sourton Cross service area, near Okehampton, to find every Grockle and his grandmother was there! However we were able to grab a cold drink, rest our bums and perhaps visit the “facilities”. Also, somewhere along the route, both Simon and I noticed that the strong sun had done nothing to improve the smell of a dead, roadside badger!
Setting off again we travelled through Bearslake (with picturesque, recently re-thatched pub) and onwards to Tavistock, with its impressive old Police Station. Yelverton followed and onto the Moor, where we began to enjoy the wonderful open, clear views of the stunning scenery. Passing through Princetown and the imposing Prison and on to our destination of the riverside Badgers Holt café. Despite there being many visitors near the bridge where we turned off towards the café, most seemed to have stayed neat the small café and toilets nearer the road, leaving the Badgers Holt to be relatively quiet, with plenty of parking and spare tables. It is fortunate that it is tucked away out of sight from the road. Meeting us on arrival were my wife Carole and Mum Betty, who swore they had not indulged themselves before we got there, so there followed much ordering of cold drinks and cream teas! The café excelled themselves once again to the extent that, dare I say it Muddy, some jam and clotted cream was left over afterwards! It’s certainly the only place I have been to where they do not spare those ingredients. Simon remained on his trike, clutching a large umbrella borrowed from a table to shade him from the sun. Simon’s situation aside, the location is ideal in that there is a good choice of shaded or exposed seating adjacent to the river. One of the resident peacocks paid us a visit but declined to display. However it did do a remarkable impression of a VuVuzela ! (for all those football fans following the World Cup).
After spending a relaxing time enjoying the tea, quiet and company at the café, we finally went our separate ways homewards, as with several varying areas to return to it was easier to separate from there. I hope all continued to enjoy the countryside on the homeward journey. Thanks to all who attended and hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Good weather certainly makes this particular run extra special. Roll on the next one.
Pat Sturman
Chapter Editor
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