Where is Spring? A couple of months ago, the boffins - or should that be buffoons - at the Met Office told us Spring would be early this year. And we were heading for a BBQ summer they said - maybe not this year though.

Jane (welcome newcomer), Judith, Juliette, Ruth, Peter and Millstone met up at Brabourneand set off hopefully towards the North Downs, but soon encountered storm damage. Tree down. Road blocked. Two men with chainsaws, two policemen, several teams of EDF employees, and many more unidentified onlookers. The eight man health and safety team advised against our plan to slip through the cordon; a substantial police presence also had a deterrent effect. After a tense stand-off, the group eventually opted for a tactical retreat.

Juliette got her baptism puncture up Bulltown Hill but we were soon back on the road.

Onwards and up onto the downs - Oh yes it was up,up,up -and for the first time EVER the entire group got off at one point and legged it!......for another delicious lunch at the Lord Whisky.

Highlights of the Cape Argus ride were narrated by Peter and Judith. However Judith's pre-Argus adventures were equally entertaining. Suffice to say that there is a little community deep in the KwaZulu-Natal bush, who will long remember the day they were visited by the white lady detective on a bicycle who brought the magic orange liquid which saved the life of another lady on a bicycle.

By the way, if you ever come across a handsome young black police Konstabel patrolling the sleepy village of Bedrock in Kent, it will be Judith's adopted son.

Back to the meal. Millstone provided a dram of Scotland's finest, Judith and Peter brought copious quantities of excellent wine. The food - as usual - was beyond historic. Mel and her team are delightful hosts. Millstone was disappointed that his behaviour was not bad enough to warrant a spell in the naughty cupboard. Mel was disappointed that "the other naughty one" wasn't with us - who could that be? we wondered. Not Norman, surely……