Torcroft Diary - Winter 2009/2010
Taking on a new venture is always a mixture of excitement and trepidation - and taking on a hotel, even a small one, is no exception. We took over at the quiet time of the year, when many seaside hotels are closed. During our first three months we redecorated the lounge bar area, which involved taking out the old bar (which would have withstood a nuclear hit) and having Sherwell Valley Builders in, who with the aid of Sarah and her assistant Laura, have helped transformed the room into a stylish spacious area.
JANUARY
January 1st. Lots of young couples came for New Year's Eve. They went out on the town until the early hours, but still managed to come down for a full cooked English breakfast in the morning. One couple became engaged. : )
February
We were busy for Valentine's Night, but most of the month was spent redecorating the lounge, buying sofas and chairs and designing the new bar, which Ken at Ellacombe Joinery is making for us.
At the end of February we had our first Murder Mystery Weekend, when 16 friends hired the hotel for the weekend, and enjoyed a three course dinner while acting out their parts in full costume. Well done Dave for organising all this as a special suprise for Gemma.
MARCH
We had the Wedmore Young Farmers down for the south western area weekend in Torquay. We were honoured by the presence of the Young Farmer of the Year (a young lady). They all enjoyed themselves, though it is a mystery why all their pillowcases were luminous green.
We took a delivery of all the leaflets of the places that holidaymakers can visit in the Torquay area. Lucky us, we get two free passes, so we can visit all the attractions and then we will let you know what we enjoyed most. We went to Paignton Zoo last week, and saw the baby giraffe (ahhh!). The zoo has been in the news this week because they are pioneers in vertical cultivation of salad crops to feed the animals. We also visited Living Coasts, which is in the heart of Torquay, and has penguins, seals and birds.
We went for a walk along the coastal path, and suddenly left the town behind and found the secret coastal area that does indeed remind one of the French Riviera. Sometimes you just have to get out of your car and walk to see the best of an area.
Hercule Poirot bird at Living Coast.
Macaroni penguin at Living Coast.
Above: Rory and Alice Hodgson (two of Sally's children) on Paignton Steam Railway's Santa Special, December 2009.
Below: Murder Mystery Weekend - who dunnit?
Below: Wedmore Young Farmers - looking a little green after the night before.
Torcroft Diary 2010 - Spring
It even snowed in Torquay this year, and Spring was delayed by several weeks. Early March saw baby lambs and and snowdrops, followed by short daffadils. (Devon sheep tend to look orange in wet weather, due to the red soil, which is odd when you first see them). Coming from London it amazes us how beautiful the countryside is around Dartmoor, and how quiet.
APRIL
APRIL
The sunny weather finally arrived with the Easter Weekend and Torquay was busy with families and happy dogs taking their owners for walks along the seafront.
The lounge bar is nearly finished. The oak bar has been installed, as have the carpets and curtains. It looks elegant and classic now and we are very happy with it.
Lounge
4000 Young Farmers from all over England descended on Torquay for the last weekend of April for their AGM, and certainly woke up sleepy Torquay from its winter slumbers. Young people who work seven days a week, many of whom are up working at 5.00am each day, need to let their hair down once in a while, and they party with a vengeance when they can. The Edgcott and Winslow Young Farmers and the Broughton Young Farmers dressed up for a Jungle themed party one night (see photos right). The Winslow boys scrubbed up well for the formal 'do' as well (see below).
ROMANCE IN TORQUAY
Many of our older visitors honeymooned in Torquay, and they return like love birds to a place that holds happy memories for them. Torquay remains a romantic destination for couples who want to get married in England. We are fortunate to have our Registry Office in the grand Oldway Mansions.
Following an 'undercover' visit from the AA Inspector, we are now graded as 4 star Guest Accommodation.
MAY Summer finally arrives in Torquay in late May. Flip-flops, li-los and pasty white bodies revealed to the sun. The giant tethered balloon goes up and down at regular intervals. Families descend on the beach and the first sandcastles of the summer are built. This is the traditional 'bucket and spade' holiday that we had as children. Let's have more of them.
The harbour is full of boats, and the regular boat trips to Brixham, Dartmouth and Greenway are in full swing.
SUMMER ARRIVES IN TORQUAY
There is so much to do now. We went to visit the Miniature Pony Centre, which is situated in North Bovey, Dartmoor. It is lovely drive there and the ponies are very small and very woolly. I had set my heart on having an Alpaca or three for my birthday, after falling in love with the ones I saw at the Devon County Show last week, but I think a Mulberry handbag would be cheaper!
Below: Left: Torquay harbour; middle: Making sandcastles on Torre Abbey beach. Below right: Ponies at the Miniature Pony Centre .
Above: Ted came to visit in June and was a great ambassador for dogs. We only like to have one dog at a time, and must be 'cat friendly'.
Below: Neil enjoys a rare free evening on the Torquay waterfront.
BIG MIDNIGHT WALK 2010
Sally stayed up all night on 5th June to serve bacon butties to the many thousands of women who took part in the Midnight Walk in aid of MacMillan Cancer Care and Rowcroft Hospice. They certainly needed them after their 13 mile walk around Torbay!
Left: Ted came to visit with his owners, and proved that well behaved dogs are less trouble than many children. We only like to have one dog at a time, and they must not chase Oscar.
Above: Peter Abel from Dortmund completed the Dartmoor Classic Cyclosportive 2010 on the same day that Germany beat England. Below: Oscar enjoys the World Cup in his own inimitable way.
Jimmy Carr performs at the Princess Theatre, Torquay for two nights only on 31 July and 1 August. Box Office: 0844 847 235
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR TO TORCROFT HOTEL
Mrs Chris Allen came to stay with her family to celebrate her 94th birthday, and just happened to mention in passing that she used to work as Agatha Christie's cook every summer at Greenway. She told us that Agatha Christie liked plain home cooking and always drank tap water. How unlike the celebrities of today.
AGATHA CHRISTIE FESTIVAL
12-19 SEPTEMBER 2010
Murder, mystery and mayhem are on the cards as the English Riviera prepares for its annual Agatha Christie Festival, the biggest event of its kind in the world! This September will see an extra special celebration of the life and works of the prolific author, for it is the 120th anniversary of her birth.
A huge number of events are set to take place over the week-long celebration including all-star theatre productions, a 1930s ‘village’ fete, guided walks, book signings, murder mystery dinners, train and boat trips, garden parties and a very special charity open-water swim. There will also be a birthday fireworks display on Torquay seafront on Wednesday 15 September, the day of her birth. Contact the English Riviera Tourist Centre for full details of events.
JULY We went on a trip around the Torquay coastline on Greenway Ferry Company's 'Fairmile', a refurbished World War II vessel that sails from Torquay to Brixham, Dartmouth and Greenway. Travelling by boat allows you to really appreciate the unspoilt coastline around Torquay - there are only little coves and inlets mostly only reached on foot, so no ice cream vans, car parks or noise to spoil the tranquility.
Jessica, Laura and Sally took part in the Waiters & Waitresses Race, held on Paignton beach on 28 July. This annual event is organised by the Torbay Carnival, and all proceeds go to local charities. Jessica did us proud and came 3rd, having run with a beer-filled mug down the beach.
