
It was my year to organise how we would celebrate our Wedding Anniversary which would be our 36th this year on the 20th May 2014. I decided to take my Hubby Steve (who needs a medal to have put up with me all these years) to go to the Grand Hotel in Torquay. As we are lucky enough to live in the South Hams which is a beautiful part of Devon, I was spoilt for choice as to where to go. I had organised a previous anniversary in another hotel in Torquay, so thought a different hotel might be a good choice.
To start the day, we walked our neighbours dog, Henry as it was a Thursday morning, and every Tuesday and Thursday morning I take him out, so even though it was our anniversary, I couldn’t let Henry down. We walk up on the moors behind our house and this particular morning it decided to rain heavily and we got soaked through. I was a bit disappointed as the our room in the hotel had a sea view so was hoping for a nice clear day, and this was not the start that I was hoping for.
Not long after we came home and dried off, the sun decided to come out. and as we were ready to go, decided to stop at a local pub The Turtley Corn Mill (which we have been to on many occasions) as it was just down the road, but on the way to Torquay. We only had a light lunch knowing that we would be having a 3 course dinner that evening.
We arrived early afternoon in brilliant sunshine, hard to believe it was pouring with rain just a few hours earlier. The outside of the hotel was a bit shabby so I was hoping that the inside would fair a bit better. We were given our room key and up we went. I had booked a suite so it was a large room with a panoramic view of the sea, with a large lounge area and bedroom and a huge bathroom (well wet room) which was very well decorated, and you could have a shower or sit on the loo with a view out to sea!!!
As it was now clear and sunny it was still a little cold but we thought we would have a swim in the inside pool. We went down to the Spa and pool area but were told that the heating was not working, so in fact the heated indoor swimming pool was freezing cold. So we decided to go and have a dip in the outside heated pool, which was very warm and a very good size, and we enjoyed it. However the water was so warm, that we then decided to go and cool off in the cold indoor pool.
It was still only mid afternoon, so naughty, naughty, we decided to go and sit in the hotel lounge which had a beautiful view out to sea and ordered a cream tea even though we had already stopped on the way for lunch and it wouldn’t be that long before dinner. But it was our anniversary after all, and the cream tea was rather delicious, with 2 huge scones each, with a pot of jam and clotted cream. Now there is a big rivalry between Devon and Cornwall on whether the jam or the cream should go on the scone first. Cornwall has the jam first and then the cream, but Devon does it the other way round. Well, although I am from Devon, I have to admit that I have mine the Cornish way, and always put the jam on first and the cream on top.
We went down to the restaurant, but even though I had asked for a table by the window we got one a little way back, but still could just about see the sea from our table. We were however given a glass of Prosecco as they knew it was our anniversary which was a nice touch. We had an enjoyable meal, but for a 4 star hotel I perhaps was expecting a little better, it was okay but nothing special. I had a pea and goats cheese risotto, and Steve had a tureen of some sort, followed by salmon and I had chicken which although tasty was quite plain. We had a dessert which I have to admit, although I took a photo it didn’t come out very well, and I cannot remember what it was and Steve had some strawberry moussy thing. We finished off with coffess to round off the meal.
Well after all that food, as it was still such a lovely evening we decided to go for a long stroll along the seafront and up to the marina which was very enjoyable, and by the time we got back to the hotel, it was back to our room and time for bed.
We had a good full English breakfast before driving the 40 minutes back home. Wonder what Steve will arrange next year!!!
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