Well, the bay is getting busier by the day now that we have, hopefully, got past the miserable rainy winter we’ve all been enduring.
Fountain Restoration
The tulips are out in the Victorian gardens outside Torre Abbey, and the beautiful fountain there will be flowing again soon. It was taken away in November for some serious remedial work. It’s now back in its perfect position, looking majestic with all the gold gilding. As I write they are just working on the aesthetics around the fountain before it’s turned on again.
The special characteristic of this attractive fountain is that the mouldings were used to cast another fountain, which is outside Raffles Hotel in Singapore. There are slight differences to the bolted-on sections in that the bowl on the Singapore version has no supporting brackets and the top feature is different. The Torquay top feature is more delicate and attractive than its Raffles Hotel counterpart and the overall effect of the Torquay fountain’s waters playing is delightful.
This photo, above, was taken a number of year ago before it had decayed. I will post the restored fountain in the next blog post, when its completely finished.
Award Nomination
We have recently been put forward to the LGBTQ awards for Best Accommodation – another string to our rainbow bow and we are proud to be shortlisted.
A Really Good Walk
Recently I joined up with a dear friend of mine for a walk by the coast. Well, that’s not all the story … My friend’s recently left his position at a software company and is pursuing his dream of walking all 660 miles of the Minehead to Poole Coastal Path. I just joined him for the Brixham to Babbacombe section!
I have to say we had a delightful day, chatting about our earlier days of misbehaving at the cricket (too much beer), as we were all the time followed the whole way by our two dogs – his Harry and, of course, Coco our chocolate Labrador. I wish him all the best in his last 180 miles.
If you wanted to see his story you can follow his blog or at least pick up a few tips when you are here visiting South Devon:
https://steveschrier.wixsite.com/swcp
This photo of us is at Thatcher’s Rock, en route to Babbacombe. Yes, we needed to take in liquid with a few beers but as Steve had many more miles to cover and I had to get up early for breakfast we behaved. Perhaps, finally, we are maturing!
As always, thanks for reading. Before I go, I should mention that the May Bank Holidays are filling up fast so if you want to grab a booking before we are completely full, give me a ring here at the Somerville (01803 294755) for the best rates.
All the best
Peter (and Helen too!)
