Juggling Business, Family and the Joys of Summer
Staying on top of a blog and social media while juggling a business, guests, and the whirlwind of summer holidays with the kids has been more challenging than I expected! I had these grand plans for lots of blog posts but there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Between gearing up for some exciting changes here at The Chesterfield and trying to keep everything going, it’s been a tad hectic. Plus, this summer was … different. It’s been moving along at its own pace, with bookings coming in slowly and steadily, but there’s this vibe amongst a range of South Devon businesses that the season’s been a bit lackluster.
So, we’ve rolled with the punches in what’s been tagged a bit of a dud year and we’ve made the most of what this beautiful area has to offer. A few weeks ago, we packed the children off to their grandparents and this gave us a golden opportunity for a few days of paddleboarding escapades, cinema outings, and even going ‘out out’ and enjoying the town! You could call it “business research,” which just conveniently checked off a few items from our bucket list including a ride on the RIB Raptor! But before we get to that exhilarating ride let’s dive into the history of our love of the sea…
Our Affinity for the Deep Blue
If you take a look around our Guest House, you’ll see it’s adorned with seaside and nature-inspired decor, which reflects our profound love for the sea. Scroll through our social media and you’ll be greeted by a deluge of posts dedicated to the waters – it has become an integral part of our lives and we often reflect on the fact that there’s nowhere else in the UK we’d rather call home.
Our roots are in coastal towns – Dan hails from Aberystwyth in Wales while I grew up in Paignton (just to fill you in, Paignton, Brixham, and Torquay come together to make Torbay). As kids, the sea was our playground – Dan sailing and fishing, and I lost in rockpooling adventures or bodyboarding. These days, those childhood passions have evolved. We still enjoy those activities, especially with our kids, but we’ve also embraced new waterborne activities like kayaking, hand diving for scallops, snorkelling and paddleboarding. We find that the sea offers us a way to escape the daily hustle and bustle and offers us a new perspective of familiar shores.
Chasing Adrenaline – from global expeditions to local thrills
From our childhoods, one thing that has remained a constant for both of us is our thirst for thrilling adventures; we’re always on the lookout for something new and exciting to experience! In the past, we’ve enjoyed a kayaking and wild camping expedition in Canada and navigated the roaring rapids on a white-water rafting adventure. We’ve swam alongside whale sharks in the warm waters of the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia (there may have been a tiger shark lurking around too, which wasn’t so exciting!) And let’s not forget the exhilarating zodiac boat ride to the Tofino hot springs, bouncing across the waves as we spotted humpback whales, dolphins and hoards of other wildlife in the Pacific Ocean.
Experiencing the Raptor
From our grand adventures, we often dreamt about bringing high-speed zodiac and kayaking/camping tours to our beloved Torbay. So, you can imagine our elation when Torquay Watersports burst onto the scene in 2021, unveiling the Raptor – a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) powered by three V8 300hp Mercury Verado engines. It’s been on our list of things to do for years and, this summer, we finally had a go on this daredevil ride. It didn’t disappoint. We booked a few days in advance (you can always just turn up on the day and see what spaces there are) and we turned up early, which helped us get the two seats at the front. Behind us was a group of tourists who were gearing up for their second RIB outing that week!
After a very warm welcome and a thorough safety briefing from the team we started off on our adventure with the Raptor slicing through the waves. It wasn’t your typical sunny day – it was overcast, the wind was warm yet feisty and the sea was choppy. The team combined speed with lots of interesting and informative stops, telling us lots of history about the local area. As we bounced along, the wind whipped our hair (well, mine) into total disarray and our faces and clothes got sprayed with saltwater. With each surge forward, we couldn’t help but release a mix of excited shouts and the occasional squeal – it is a 30-minute waterborne rollercoaster without the tracks! If you’re worried about looking completely windswept as you leave the Raptor then definitely tie your hair back and take a hairbrush – and maybe a change of clothes too!
Looking forward, we’re eagerly anticipating our next date with the waves. The promise of a 20% discount on our next visit is too good an offer to pass on . Our eldest, now developing his own love for the sea, will definitely be joining us for the next adventure. Personally, I’m already drawn to the idea of a two-hour sunset trip to Start Point – the sea at dusk is a world of wonders waiting to be discovered! But you could always opt for the calmer, serene beauty of a RIB tour or an exclusive yacht charter…
So for those who are eager for a sea adventure, Torquay Watersports is ready and waiting. As a recognized training school by RYA, they cater to all, from beginners to seasoned mariners, even offering personal boat tuition. To book tickets or find out more please visit the Torquay Watersports website.
And, as a cherry on top, we’re thrilled to extend a special accommodation discount to those who embark on any of their courses – a gesture to foster a community of fellow water enthusiasts. For more details on this exciting offer, feel free to reach out to us!
Until next time!
