Christmas in Torquay

After living in London for nearly three years, and having being granted my visa to live in Australia, I decided it would be nice to spend time with my parents in Torquay before emigrating.
Whilst I gained a lot of experience in London and had great work colleagues at the Institution of Civil Engineers in Westminster it was with a sigh of relief that I left London and its stresses behind.

I spent almost two weeks with my parents before moving to Australia and they were two very enjoyable ones. My brother and his family and my sister and her family came down to spend a few days just after Christmas Day to have a small family gathering to say farewell. It was great seeing them all but the family wasn't complete as my other sister couldn't make it as she already had guests for Christmas.


Above is a picture of the Pavilions in Torquay. In its heyday, during the late Victorian era, this place was 'the' place to be and old photo's of the place show just how popular it was. It's a beautiful old building and I pay it a vist each time I'm in town.

Mad dogs and Englishmen


Every Boxing Day the Paignton Lions Club organise a sponsored 'swim' into the sea for charity and takes place by Paignton Pier. This year the weather was unusually mild but the sea was bitterly cold and it was more a case of a quick run into the sea up to the knees and straight back out again for most people. Many swimmers dress up in all manner of costumes to give the event more of a party atmosphere. This year even Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took the plunge. Maybe one year I may just join in myself..................but then again, maybe not. Brrrr!