Cricklade Bowls Tour Torquay 14/09/25
Where we went -
21 club members (18 playing escorted by 3 non-playing) set off to Torquay on Sunday 14th September. We stayed in the Toorak Hotel on a large estate with 4 other hotels just inland from the seafront. It has its own leisure complex with several bars & places to eat, its own swimming pool & spa, facilities for dancing plus a ten pin bowling alley.
What we did -
Monday 15th at 14:00 we went to Marldon Bowls Club just north of Torquay. The weather was fine and our bowling performance was very even. It was fitting that the captains declared the match drawn (not that I remember the actual scores being shown). It was a pleasant afternoon with our hosts being welcoming and easy to talk to back in the clubhouse.
Tuesday was a day off and we scattered to various local places. Brixham being a favourite.
Wednesday morning a number of the group went to the nearby park to play crazy golf, technically it was called Jungle Adventure Golf!!! (See photos in the gallery below) In the afternoon we drove across to Brixham St. Mary's Bowls Club. Admittedly the weather was pretty horrible with the wind and rain but our stalwart team wanted to play anyway. Ultimately our hosts decided that they were unwilling to play so the game was cancelled and we decided to return to the hotel where late in the afternoon we were given permission to use the indoor bowls facilities.
Thursday some of us went Ten Pin Bowling and if I remember correctly Neil Carter had the highest score! In the afternoon we went down to the sea front just below the hotel to play at the Kings Bowls Club. I think it fair to say we were beaten! However again the company was good and the location superb.
Friday was a free day and a number of us went to Torre Abbey - grounds and museum in the morning and in the afternoon we had another session of indoor bowls. My recollections of Friday evening are a little hazy but most of it was spent in Albert's Bar under the next door Derwent Hotel. Apart from the obvious drinking I recall Karaoke with sterling work from Jeff and Tom and some line dancing from the ladies! (I remember Margaret, Joan and Sharon being the culprits?)
Saturday was also a free day - Sue and I wanted to see Teignmouth again so drove via Babbacombe along the cliffs to park on the quayside in glorious sunshine. Others visited friends, Dawlish and the ever popular Brixham again (buses were used I understand).
Each evening we were served our meals in our own private dining annex which was enjoyable and we sat together on three tables which allowed us to sit and talk together but change places each evening. Jenga was played in the bar next to our dining room with visits to the Starlight lounge after eating for some entertainment - singers solo and duet artists.
We all had a brilliant time, the weather notwithstanding which was a little unkind across the whole week and our sincere thanks go to Roger Essex for his organisation, delivery and patience! It was wonderful Roger - thank you again.
Tony Gadsdon 10/10/25
BELOW YOU WILL FIND A REMINDER OF WHAT WE GOT UP TO. CLICK EACH PHOTO TO SEE CAPTIONS
