A 22 strong group of members and friends have just got back from an enjoyable autumn holiday in Torquay.
We arrived in Torquay on the Monday for a 4 night mid-week break at the Toorak Hotel. Meeting in the bar before dinner we met up with old friends and we pleased to get to know new member of our group.
Meeting the next morning after a hearty breakfast, 18 members of our group braved the weather to start this 6.5 mile very wet and windy walk. Starting from the hotel we walked along the sea front esplanade in Torquay before taking the coast path up the hill, climbing the many steps to the coast guard station before dropping down to Meadfoot Beach where we stopped at the café for a welcome break from the weather. We then split into two groups. One group walked to Torquay via the road (a 4.5-5 mile walk), most of whom adjourned to the swimming pool and jacuzzi for a relaxing afternoon (a 4.5-5 mile walk). The rest of the group headed along Meadfoot Beach with the spray coming over the breakwater as squalls came in across the sea. Unfortunately the visibility wasn’t very good. We headed up the hill past Thatcher Point, watching the sea churning below us. Turning round the point we got into the lee of the land, and entered a wood, walking an attractive path out of the wind with the occasional glimpse of the sun. We passed Antsey’s Cove before climbing up to the headland for the best views of the day. Arriving in Babbacombe, some of us enjoyed afternoon tea in a bubble in the garden of the local tea room – no worries about dripping all over their floors! Getting the bus we headed back to Torquay to get ready for dinner and the evening entertainment with other members of the group. Although not very long – a challenging walk in the conditions.
On Wednesday we went our separate ways, though joining into ad hoc groups, members went as far as Dartmoor, while others went to Brixham and Berry Head. The majority got the bus to Painton, the steam train to Kingswear and the Ferry across the River Dart to Dartmouth; some to shop and wander round the town; others to visit the castle and some to have a river trip. We all adjourned to the bar before dinner to exchange stories of our successful day in the sunshine.
Come Thursday the sun was still shining with a gentle breeze and 19 members and friends took the bus towards Brixham. When we got off, we walked down under the Broadsands railway viaduct, which many of us had been over the day before, (an impressive structure), down to the beach where some went for a paddle. We follow the coast path onto the headland, with lovely costal views for a little way before heading inland, crossing a golf course on the way. We had a coffee break at Churston Ferrers Church enjoying siting in the warm sun. Starting off again, we crossed the main road, where some headed back to the hotel. Heading down Alston Lane then climbing up a long rocky track we had panoramic views of the Dart estuary and Tor Bay with Dartmoor in the distance. Going along the John Musgrave Heritage Trail and Greenway Walk we headed towards Greenway House (the summer residence of Agatha Christy) seeing stunning views of the river as we went.. A group went off to the house for the afternoon, where they were greeted by staff with a free coffee/tea as they had walked there! They were treated to a tour of the House before taking the steep road up to Churston Station and the bus back to the hotel. Meanwhile a few of us continued the walk, dropping down to the river’s edge and along the river bank, where we watched a flock of geese. Passing a boat yard we then took roads up through Galmpton and also arrived back to Churston station. Meeting-up in the evening everybody reported they had had a great time. Those of us who left after the coastal part of the walk joined others from the hotel in the afternoon, before heading off to Babbacombe where they enjoyed a trip on the cliff railway with stunning views (which the weather prevented us seeing on the Tuesday walk) followed by a cream tea in the local tea room (this time inside).
We lingered over breakfast the next morning before heading back north after a great few days of good food, walks and companionship with new and old friends.
Many of us headed for Dartmouth on the train on day two
Rough seas at Meadfoot Beach on the first day
Wet but happy–enjoying afternoon cream tea at Babbacombe after the walk
Time for a paddle at Broadsands on the third day
The coast in the sunshine the third day
Veiw of the River Dart and Dartmoor on the third day