Torquay

[southall-1998_mk2]

Been living here in Torquay now for almost five years. Interesting place, the locals are mainly white and keep to themselves.

Things do certainly move at a slower pace around here. Always noticed that since the day we moved here. Not surprising really for a chap like me who comes from Southall, West London :lol:

Anyone on here ever visited Torquay?

''icehockeyboy'' & ''hifinutt'' I already know about you guys ;)

S.

[Pigmy Pony]

Stayed in a hotel there once - awful place. Come breakfast time, the waiter got my order completely wrong, got paella instead of porridge. The proprietor came out and slapped him round the head, explaining to me that he was from Barcelona.

[southall-1998_mk2]

Stayed in a hotel there once - awful place. Come breakfast time, the waiter got my order completely wrong, got paella instead of porridge. The proprietor came out and slapped him round the head, explaining to me that he was from Barcelona.

Was this Hotel near to the Harbor?

S.

[Crackles]

Southall to Torquay. Now there's a culture shock [emoji3]

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[Pigmy Pony]

I really can't remember now, it was the seventies. I remember being disappointed with the view from the bedroom window - no Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and no herds of Wildebeest sweeping majestically past :(

[southall-1998_mk2]

Southall to Torquay. Now there's a culture shock [emoji3]

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Yes that sounds nearly about right. Took me a while to get used to this place.

S.

[Crackles]

Yes that sounds nearly about right. Took me a while to get used to this place.

S.I imagine your restaurant and takeaway options became somewhat restricted.

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[southall-1998_mk2]

I imagine your restaurant and takeaway options became somewhat restricted.

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Not really. Plenty enough decent takeaway shops locally. The Cod & Chips is marvelous! But Hi-Fi shop options here is awful....extinct! Years ago Torquay would had some lovely Hi-Fi shops.

But you never know what the future brings, eh!

S.

[Crackles]

Fair enough.

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[Ali Tait]

I really can't remember now, it was the seventies. I remember being disappointed with the view from the bedroom window - no Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and no herds of Wildebeest sweeping majestically past :(

:D

[struth]

Southall to Torquay. Now there's a culture shock [emoji3]

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Torquay to Southall would be more of a one

[tapid]

I really can't remember now, it was the seventies. I remember being disappointed with the view from the bedroom window - no Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and no herds of Wildebeest sweeping majestically past :(
No Sydney opera house either !. As a boy saw the kinks there in 64 whilst on holiday, they were under carding Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers believe it or not. Anyone remember them ? NO

[Crackles]

No Sydney opera house either !. As a boy saw the kinks there in 64 whilst on holiday, they were under carding Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers believe it or not. Anyone remember them ? NOThe Kinks played Sydney Opera House in 1964?[emoji44]

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[struth]

Yup they were quite big in the 60s. Instrumental tho. Don't recall a singer Kinks and later mungo jerry were 2 of my fav bands

[Pigmy Pony]

Yup they were quite big in the 60s. Instrumental tho. Don't recall a singer Kinks and later mungo jerry were 2 of my fav bands

Loved Mungo Jerry in my younger years, always feel-good music. Had a few of their singles - Long Legged Woman Dressed in Black, Lady Rose, All Right, In The Summertime. I should look out for a Best Of.

[hifinutt]

Not really. Plenty enough decent takeaway shops locally. The Cod & Chips is marvelous! But Hi-Fi shop options here is awful....extinct! Years ago Torquay would had some lovely Hi-Fi shops.

But you never know what the future brings, eh!

S.

shall we set one up shane:)

[southall-1998_mk2]

shall we set one up shane:)


Just imagine the arguments!

;)

S.

[Macca]

I went to Torquay once must have been about 1993. All I remember is there are palm trees and lots of roundabouts.

It was out of season so the Hanging Gardens of Babylon was closed.

[Pigmy Pony]

Sounds just like Chorley, apart from the palm trees and the Hanging Gardens. Some of the women are hanging though.

[Puffin]

Went to Torquay about 3 years ago. The area around the front and harbour have obviously had a laaaaarge injection of cash and is a nice area to walk around. However when you venture into the town and around the back streets it is a very different story, a bit like Battersea in the early 70's where I was brunged up.

[Pigmy Pony]

Went to Torquay about 3 years ago. The area around the front and harbour have obviously had a laaaaarge injection of cash and is a nice area to walk around. However when you venture into the town and around the back streets it is a very different story, a bit like Battersea in the early 70's where I was brunged up.

Seems to be the case with a lot of seaside towns - when you get away from the seafront, place is rough as a badger's arse. Was in Penzance a few years ago and public toilets had signs about discarded syringes. In women's toilets too.

I've worked at a few rented accommodations in Blackpool, and much of the place is extremely run down, despite all the money that had been thrown at the promenade. Talk about fur coat and no knickers.

[walpurgis]

Was in Penzance a few years ago and public toilets had signs about discarded syringes. In women's toilets too.

I know Penzance, it definitely has a dodgy side and attracts all sorts of weird characters.

[Marco]

I quite like Torquay, if you accept it (and most other British seaside resorts) for what it is, rather old-fashioned and outdated/a little run down, but curiously quaint with it, harking back to the golden era of when Brits almost always holidayed in the UK:)

I've done business (supplying pictures and other forms of artwork) with some of the hotels along the Victoria Parade. I'd certainly much prefer to live there than in London!;)

Marco.

[Pigmy Pony]

I know Penzance, it definitely has a dodgy side and attracts all sorts of weird characters.

Oh it was weird all right - when we tried to leave, a combination of road signs, traffic and road works conspired to keep us going round in circles. I felt like No. 6 trying to escape 'the village'. I half expected a giant orange balloon to come chasing after me.

[Beobloke]

We used to regularly holiday in Torquay and Paignton when I was a child, but I haven’t been there for 20 years or more. I always used to like Paignton but the model car shop in the old Victorian Shopping Arcade in Torquay was a ‘must visit’!

Funnily enough, I was thinking about this recently as I read that the Palace Hotel is closed and to be demolished. We generally stayed in smaller guest houses or B&Bs and the Palace was like a dream. Mum had a bonus one year and so we all went there for a long weekend and it fully lived up to my expectations! Sad to see another little bit of my childhood go.

[Puffin]

We went to Paignton a few years ago, it was quite tired, but the prom is ok and a good walk can be had. The best bit was a Fish & Chip shop with staff walking up and down outside with bowls of chips for you to try. They were great and so we had a meal in there and it was one of the best Cod & Chips I have ever had. Took the children to Paignton Zoo about 30 odd years ago which was a bit naff IMO.

[Beobloke]

Yes, Paignton Zoo was always naff. I’m amazed it’s still open, frankly!

[southall-1998_mk2]

I highly recommend ''Saltwater Fish & Chips'' in Victoria Parade. Very tasty! Much prefer their food than Hanbury's.

S.

[Pigmy Pony]

Why would they make a point of describing them as "saltwater" fish? Do they offer "freshwater" fish as a cheap alternative? Like trout?

Now you mention it though, there is a butcher's shop near us that sells "previously lived in a field" beef, and "sty-reared" pork.

[southall-1998_mk2]

Why would they make a point of describing them as "saltwater" fish? Do they offer "freshwater" fish as a cheap alternative? Like trout?

Now you mention it though, there is a butcher's shop near us that sells "previously lived in a field" beef, and "sty-reared" pork.


I don't bloody know. Write a letter to them and ask.

S.

[Pigmy Pony]

I'll write it on some Basildon Bond "wood derived" notepaper, and with a bit of luck it'll be delivered by a walking postman :D

[AJSki2fly]

I went to Torquay with my parents, I think in 1965, and it pissed with rain all the time, we stayed in the Royal Hotel which at the time was quite posh. They gave up after 2 or 3 days and drove to Bournemouth and I got my first plane flight on a prop driven plane to Jersey and had a lovely holiday, I was 7. I did go back to Torquay a few years ago and was rather disappointed with it, we only live 40 miles up the coast. I believe it has a bit of a reputation now for hen and stag party's and late night drunks at weekends.

[walpurgis]

Why would they make a point of describing them as "saltwater" fish? Do they offer "freshwater" fish as a cheap alternative? Like trout?

Nothing wrong with freshwater fish. There's some lovely tasty Perch to be had from the local cut that's fed by the adjacent sewage works sluice. Must be all the extra nutrients. :)

[Pigmy Pony]

Chub's nice too, but rather high in calories.

[southall-1998_mk2]

I went to Torquay with my parents, I think in 1965, and it pissed with rain all the time, we stayed in the Royal Hotel which at the time was quite posh. They gave up after 2 or 3 days and drove to Bournemouth and I got my first plane flight on a prop driven plane to Jersey and had a lovely holiday, I was 7. I did go back to Torquay a few years ago and was rather disappointed with it, we only live 40 miles up the coast. I believe it has a bit of a reputation now for hen and stag party's and late night drunks at weekends.

It's been raining here quite a lot recently. So don't be surprised!

S.

[Sherwood]

Chub's nice too, but rather high in calories.

Chubby by name, ......................

[Sherwood]

I know Penzance, it definitely has a dodgy side and attracts all sorts of weird characters.

:fence: It's a hotspot for piracy! :fence:

[Ian7633]

This photo was taken on holiday in Torquay in 1965 or 66. That's me in the saddle bag with my brother doing the piloting. I fell out of the bag later and ended up with stitches in my forehead, I've still got the scar 50 odd years later.

http://i65.tinypic.com/29pc554.jpg

[Pigmy Pony]

This photo was taken on holiday in Torquay in 1965 or 66. That's me in the saddle bag with my brother doing the piloting. I fell out of the bag later and ended up with stitches in my forehead, I've still got the scar 50 odd years later.

http://i65.tinypic.com/29pc554.jpg

"Are we nearly there yet?"

[Ian7633]

I was just praying he didn't fart hahaha

[southall-1998_mk2]

Thanks for sharing, Ian.

S.

[Joe]

I've never been there, though I lived in Exeter for several years. Captain Sensible had a hit record about the place, though:

'Torquay, Torquay, Torquay, Happy Torq
Torq about things you like to do'.

[Macca]

It's like Torquays voting for Christmas.

[southall-1998_mk2]

I highly recommend ''Saltwater Fish & Chips'' in Victoria Parade. Very tasty! Much prefer their food than Hanbury's.

S.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186259-d8795415-Reviews-Saltwater_Fish_Chips-Torquay_English_Riviera_Devon_England.html

S.

[Yomanze]

I used to live in Teignmouth, and have had many a night out in Torquay as well as Exeter & Paignton.

When I woz a lad I used to spend all my night's money on booze, and walk back from Torquay to Paignton with a kebab, a 1+ hour walk, nearer 2hrs really when pissed up. Was nice getting there as the sun came up, walking the booze off.

[Pigmy Pony]

I've never been there, though I lived in Exeter for several years. Captain Sensible had a hit record about the place, though:

'Torquay, Torquay, Torquay, Happy Torq
Torq about things you like to do'.

I thought he was singing about the Lord of the Rings author.

[Pigmy Pony]

Fried Torquay's delights - full of eastern promise.