Peter Moore: Sorry keyboard warriors… Torbay is wonderful

I do not often get much feedback online but, when I do, it is never predictable. 

I once upset the keyboard warriors by suggesting we are lucky to live in such a beautiful place. Singing the praises of Torbay was clearly provocative. How could I suggest such nonsense?

Everything about Torbay was, according to these people, terrible. Often it was all the fault of our politicians. I suspect these people have never left Devon.

As Christmas fades into a memory, I will risk of upsetting them all over again. I found Torquay over the Christmas holidays amazing. I have no problem with Paignton or Brixham, it is just that I did not have the time to visit them this year.

Every two years all the family descend on us for Christmas. With nineteen and a dog in the house, including nine grandchildren, it was fantastic but not relaxing.

With the family coming from all over the country, Liverpool, Bristol, Nottingham and Basingstoke how would Torbay compare?

Before they arrived we went with friends to “Carols in the Cave” at Kents Cavern. A wonderful choir and a tour of the cave. My only disappointment was the mulled wine. I loved it but I was driving and so could only risk a small glass.

The first night when they were all here we walked the Bay of Lights. Stunning. We now have some wonderful family photos. The projection against the Abbey was impressive. I tried to interest the grandchildren in the history of the Spanish barn, but I could see their eyes glaze over. I loved the laser lights from the harbour although one of our sons did wonder whether there should be some barrage balloons with the Luftwaffe bombers flying overhead.

The next day they went skating, although I did not join in. If I had my next column would have been how to cope with a broken ankle. Again, the whole environment was stunning. I know that they could have gone skating in Liverpool, Bristol or Nottingham but nowhere else could they look out and watch the sea across the Bay. Even the youngest ones enjoyed themselves holding on to a polar bear on skates.

Christmas at home was chaotic but wonderful chaos.

The following day could have been a disaster. Some of us went to Plainmoor. I had booked seats on Bristow’s Bench but, when we arrived, I found that the family we all together and, somehow, I had managed to book my own geriatric seat at the other end of the stand.

Although it was one of the few things that went wrong, I could only blame myself. It does not matter where you sit at Plainmoor everyone is always friendly and chatty, especially as I was wearing a Torquay United bobble hat. Far more important than the seating arrangements was the fact that Torquay won. From my end of the stand I could not see Torquay’s first goal. 

The family were much closer and so I asked them after the match “I couldn’t see whether Torquay’s first goal went in”. I got the reply, “We could see. It didn’t but I’m not complaining”.

The final day we went to the zoo and renewed our annual membership. I enjoyed it but know that with the new Dutch owners it will become outstanding. As they have a track record running zoos and theme parks the plans are not pie in the sky.

All this and we did not have time for the Train of Lights to Kingswear or the pantomime.

I have now run out of adjectives. The Bay excelled itself this year, congratulations to everyone involved.

Anyone from up country who decided to spend Christmas in Torbay must have been impressed. Even the weather helped although this is one area where the council cannot take the credit. If it had rained the keyboard warriors would still have blamed the council.

We live in a great place but doubtless there will still be people online who moan, but not me.