A select group of six enjoyed absolutely delightful weather conditions on the normal New Forest circuit. Although it started off with frost on the windows of parked cars, the hour or so to coffee in Beaulieu was straightforward (with the bonus of there being a traction engine at the cafe), and the colours after coffee on the Rhinefield and Bolderwood ornamental rides were on the wane, but still pretty spectacular.

It was hard to get going again after lunch at the Red Shoot, but we did crack on - and the climb up Roger Penny Way into the headwind proved to be quite tough for everyone.

Sadly there were no wild pigs to be seen today, but we ticked off the staple diet of ponies, cattle and donkeys, together with some very unexpected (but not wild) alpacas who seemed rather curious of the riders.

Coffee at the Sir John Barleycorn, sitting out in the sunshine, was a fitting end to a lovely ride.