Summer in October!

I have just returned from a little jaunt to Torquay with my husband Adam and some friends for a birthday celebration.

There were 6 of us, our friends & my colleague Teresa & her husband Paul and Tom & Sue our friends. It was Sue’s birthday hence the reason for the trip. Adam & I and Tom & Sue went last year for my birthday for a couple of nights and loved it so Sue wanted to go back for her birthday on 25th October.

We found a cheap deal with Shearings for 4 nights with a coach from Coventry and hotel with breakfast & dinner so thought why not – it’s cheap & cheerful.

Well, the coach was great to get down there but a bit of hanging around from the feeder coach to the main coach so we got to Torquay about 4 pm after an early start at 9 am and a few stops on the route.

The hotel – The Torbay was a bit dated and could do with a re-vamp. Rooms were small and basic at the back of the hotel, with a view of a wall. No good if you are claustrophobic but after talking to others who had rooms at the front with a view we had the best option as theirs were very noisy from the traffic. Good job we weren’t in them much. The reception staff were a bit rude at first when we asked about upgrading (too pricey). Over 120 rooms and only 1 lift – crazy!

I must admit the food was very good and the restaurant staff brilliant so all was not lost!

We had a few days out whilst there and made the most of our 4 nights. We went on the Dartmouth Day cruise which we’ve done before and loved it yet again. The weather was great for that time of year, about 18 degrees and sunny but a bit nippy on the boat. We saw dolphins playing in the water so I was in my element & very happy!!

Also saw some seals basking in the sunshine…

We spent the afternoon in Dartmouth and had Fish & Chips and ice cream – was a lovely day.

We had a relaxing day on Wednesday – well for some as Teresa, Paul, Adam & I ran around getting cakes, balloons, banners etc to take to the pub we were having dinner at on Thursday for Sue’s birthday. We got it all done and she had no idea. Adam had got a blow up ‘zimmer frame’ as a joke which went down very well – haha!

The weather was amazing and I even had a T-shirt on & caught the sun – in October!!

On Thursday, Sue’s birthday we had breakfast together and surprised her with a balloon, presents, cards & the inflatable…

We all had T-shirts on with Sue’s 70th on them.

We went out for the day with Sue carrying her ballon and the biggest badge we could find – haha, she loved it. We went on the road train up to Torre Abbey then as it was such a nice day headed to Brixham on the ferry.

We’d decided to eat out that night at ‘The Hole in the Wall’ pub where we’ve been before – it’s the oldest pub in Torquay and does exactly what it says on the tin! A couple of Sue’s friends who live local joined us and we had a wonderful evening, with great food & live music.