What lies beneath. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . the gentle waters of Tor Bay?

Sometimes we have no idea just what creatures are out there in the deep.

Back in June, just as we arrived in Torquay, newspaper headlines read - 

"Alien invaders hit British beaches"

Thatcher Rock - Tor Bay 

Looking across Tor Bay from Torquay to Brixham

June 2015

 So, sauntering around Torquay's Inner Harbour, we shared in the unusual sighting

 of many Barrel Jellyfish, often referred to as the 'dustbin lid' jellyfish (the dustbin is 

the British name for trash can, specifically the old metal version). The huge creatures 

arrived on the south coast of England this Spring, washing up by the hundreds on 

the beaches. Although they can produce a tiny sting, not life threatening by any 
means, people are advised not to touch them.

It is rare for them to come close to land, preferring deeper waters, but the warmer

 waters of the past few Winters have produced more plankton for them to feed on

closer to shore.

Curiosity - she just couldn't resist!
She didn't appear to suffer a sting whilst we watched.

To see what these creatures look like once beached - go here -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3127501/Alien-invaders-hit-British-beaches-Hundreds-stinging-dustbin-lid-jellyfish-wash-sands-South-West.html

- an amazing, but not pretty, sight.

Meanwhile the cormorants also hung out around the Inner Harbour. There seem

to be so many around nowadays - whereas, when I was a child and living there, I just 

don't recall any large sea birds other than those nuisance herring gulls who snatched

 our sandwiches and ice cream cones right out of our hands!

My true home - I'm already missing it again!

Walking into town ----------

On our first morning in Torquay we were up early and walking to town. 

Warm and partly sunny it was perfect for a hike.

We walked along the beachfront from the cottage, climbing the cliff walk/steps up 

over Daddyhole Plain (above the rows of new-style beach huts) and along the 

Rock End section of the Southwest Coast Path.

Meadfoot Beach at low tide.

The tower, which you actually walk through, and sections of old wall, are all remaining 

of the former Rock End estate. Very expensive homes have been built here - you 

can imagine the beautiful sea views they must have.

Bob and Jasmin at Rock End.

This board shows our path along the cliffs - we climbed to Daddyhole Plain 

from Meadfoot Beach, following the coast pathway to Beacon Cove. With stops for 

gasping at the views across the bay - Jasmin had not been on this walk on her last 

visit many years back - and of course taking photos, it took about an hour.

Passing the Living Coasts - Britain's only coastal zoo - read more here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Coasts

Reaching the harbor we were a bit tired, but if I could walk into town with 

such views here in North Carolina, I'd sell my car! 

Ready to continue our day, we headed to the ferry for the sail

across the bay to the fishing port of Brixham.

Torquay's Inner Harbour

Boarding the Western Lady VI ferry which crosses Tor Bay in about half an hour for 

just a one pound fare - the best bargain in town!

Here, the ferry was passing the Grand Hotel, one of the oldest and largest hotels 

along Torquay's shoreline, and where Agatha Christie spent her honeymoon. 

Across from the hotel is a rocky beach and row of traditional style beach 

huts - my favorites.

For me, the small beach, named Corbyn Head, holds many childhood memories. 

When in elementary school - about a two mile walk from here - on warm June afternoons 

before school was out for the Summer hols, my neighbor, whose two children were 

in school with me, would meet us at 4 PM and walk us to the beach. She'd bring 

our swimsuits, towels, cheese and tomato sandwiches, orangeade drinks, and we'd

 spend a few wonderful late afternoon hours swimming and playing in the rock pools 

when the tide went out.

Those really are days I will always cherish.

Next time I'll show you Brixham at the far end of Tor Bay.