The BBN holiday this year was centred in Torquay at the Metropole Hotel, not too far from the harbour and close to bus-stops which were used to transport us to and from the walks. Arrangements again were planned through Alfa Travel Self Drive holidays and members booked rooms through Alfa earlier in the year for 19 LDWA members. But, 2x new members couldn’t obtain rooms through Alfa because they were late to the party and chose to reside at a nearby B&B. In which case I arranged for them to have dinner at the hotel in the evenings, enabling us to be together to discuss the walk that day and arrangements for the next day. Also, I tried to get breakfast served earlier than 8:00am in order to catch buses, which failed on Sunday morning but was soon rectified by the hotel staff for the rest of the holiday. The hotel went out of their way to help us and we were all grateful they did.

Everyone arrived at the hotel on Saturday for the afternoon walk around Torquay but the weather was against us all the way round. We first reached a high-point and trig at Daison Woods; then passed the twin churches at St.Marychurch before descending into Babbacombe under the cliff railway. The weather here wasn’t so noticeably rainy because we were close to the cliffs and we had the excitement of stepping over and under many fallen trees with steep slopes between to navigate. Once back on the proper path we rested a while in a shelter on Walls Hill. With an eye on the time we veered off route to pass Kents Cavern and headed to Torquay harbour and back to the hotel before 17:30 and evening dinner at 18:45. Just enough time to get ready.

The next two days I’d planned to walk the John Musgrave Heritage Trail established in 2006, using buses to transport us around. After Sunday morning breakfast we caught a bus to Maidencombe and the inviting Thatched Tavern (too early) where the walk began. Climbing on through the Valley of the Rocks and into Watcombe to Great Hill the weather was better than forecast. But then the rain began to fall and stayed with us until Coffinswell where I’d planned a pub stop. The Linney wasn’t that kind of pub (gastro), so we sheltered in the lovely and welcoming church nearby. The gods were on our side and the rain clouds cleared to bring us a very pleasant and warm afternoon walk through to the finish at Cockington. A lovely village setting. Some walked back to hotel from here since the bus was due in 30 minutes, whilst the rest of us had Devonshire tea or ice-cream or a pint at the pub. It was good some did walk back to the hotel because we filled the bus. Then got a running commentary from the driver about the scenery viewed through the windows of the bus.

The second day of the John Musgrave Heritage Trail began by catching two buses to Marldon – one and then another. The weather forecast had threatened showers all-day but it was actually a lovely sunny day. We walked to Berry Pomeroy castle but didn’t stopped (it’s haunted) and continued swiftly into Totnes to have lunch beside the River Dart. Then we followed the trail beside the river Dart and veered across to Ashprington to reach the Harbourne river. On the way we met Norman, Peter and Therese coming toward us (on their own walk) and we departed them with three less in our group? We were on a mission to reach the Greenway Ferry by 4pm rather than 5pm. Good job too because the last ferry was 16:45 and with limited space on the boat (12 passengers), we and the rest of joe public got across okay. We lost one more here with sickness (not the ferry ride) and Norman, Peter & Therese were on hand to take them and some rucksacks back to the hotel. We decided to depart the trail here since it was getting late and walked to Churston Station to catch a bus back to the hotel. It was a bit of a rush to shower and get down for the evening meal. 

The Tuesday walk was the South West Coast path from Paignton to Kingswear but it was raining heavily in the morning, so we decided to take buses to Kingswear and reverse the walk back since it was a long bus journey. That worked out very well and meant we started the walk late at 11am with the weather improving. The going was a tough coastal walk to the lookout station at Inner Froward Point where we took a rest and chatted to the warden. For me, the walk became even tougher onward towards Coleton Fishacre because of an achilles injury. However, we continued along the SWCP until Man Sands and because of the time took the easier way through Higher Brixham to get to the bus station at Brixham Square and a bus back to the hotel. A wise decision considering the time.

The plan on the last day (Wednesday) was to walk onto Haytor from the Dartmoor Visitors Centre but looking at the rain and dark skies outside with thunderstorms in the forecast we decided to abandon that plan. Therefore with some wanting an easier drive home and some wanting to walk, together with my injury to lead a walk effectively, we collectively decided to abandon a walk and make headway ourselves. A disappointing end to the holiday but the right decision. We all had a great time.

Can I thank everyone on the BBN holiday for making it so enjoyable to lead.

Next year’s BBN holiday has been organised from Wednesday 19^th August to Sunday 23^rd August 2026 at the Royal Hotel in Weymouth.

We already have 19x LDWA members on the holiday and the deposits paid to book their rooms. Others may be able to join the party later this year when Alfa Travel assess room availability at the hotel from their Coach holiday bookings.

Roy Carter

Saturday 30th August
Photos from Dee and Deb
Dee: Setting off from the hotel. Weather wasn’t kind but a great afternoon walk.
Deb: A Badgery and Brockway with the badger, photobombed by a Bridge! 

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Sunday 31st August 
Photos: Lizzie and Deb
Lizzie: Rainy start, ending in blue skies and ice cream.

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Monday 1st September 
Lizzie: Thanks Roy for another fabulous day of walking, and a blue sky day
Norman: Fro

m the B party! Thanks to Peter and Therese for the walk today. Entente Cordiale at its finest