The guide book says that this “for many,
is a day to endure rather than enjoy” since it is “easy plodding through pedestrian walkways”. But I found it a great day. And a little more strenuous than just plodding I’m quite a few places.
Perhaps it was because I was doing it this time of year and it isn’t in the season - apparently, Torquay goes from 65,000 to 200,000 population every summer!
We start in Brixham through the harbour with a replica of the Golden Hind (apparently this for sale for 200k, if you are interested!).
The light is really nice today and it is bright, without being too warm or windy.
Our first beach is at Churston Cove
A quick play with the ball to get us into the mood.
If you look closely here you will see two seals playing in the water...
We move on, walking through muddy paths into the woods and arrive at Broadsands, which looks terrific in the light, with multi-coloured beach huts contrasting against the ploughed fields. Lots of dog-walkers today on this large beach.
There is a good climb the other side of it too.
We meet our mates, who join us for today’s walk. Peter and Coco, the dog. Peter and Helen moved here two years ago and give us some great info.
There is a tourist steam train that runs from all along the sea front which is pretty cool. It used to connect this part of the world to London.
The beaches are largely deserted here at Goodrington Sands
And I don’t see anything “pedestrian” about this...
As the book suggests, Paignton is a tired Victorian seaside resort with some of the cheapest accomodation along the path. But the colourful houses look good today. Apparently the waves were up over the road here and there was a lot of destruction in February with Hurricane Emma. Paignton was mentioned in the doomsday book of 1089 and was a Celtic settlement.
The pier has seen better days
We can see Torquay in our sights now across another great beach.
We are greeted by the new visitor centre and this ferris wheel, which is shipped in from Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park every year.
Torquay Marina is full of great boats and some big gin-palaces.
It’s a really pretty, pleasant place.
But, with some weird attractions!
This is the best guest house in Torquay - the Summerville.
We head to a local cafe for some sustinence - and some good advice :-)
Peter and Helen are on great form.
Now to walk around Torquay and onto Babbacombe. This rock is called London Bridge.
Looking back, we have come a long way around Tor Bay since yesterday afternoon!
Peter and Helen are excellent guides. All this waking on the hills of Torquay mean they are leaving my tired legs for dust :-)
We arrive at the Cary Arms on Oddicombe Beach. An entrepreneur is buying up all the properties here and turning it in a luxury holiday destination. Not sure I will be ordering this baked spud - yes, that is £65!!
Views over to Oddicombe Beach from here and the railway that takes people up and down the hill to the beach.
We scale the hill to Babbacombe...
And find our accomodation at the top. Comfortable if a little scruffy
But with an amazing view of where we will walk tomorrrow from our room. A long but really fun day with great mates and lots to learn.
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