General Discussion

Will bank holiday tourists arrive in Dawlish?

Everybody comes to Dawlish, there is sooooh much to do and see come rain or shine.


CONFLICTING weather forecasts, the credit crunch, expensive fuel and the Olympics are combining to make it an unpredictable bank holiday weekend for the South Devon tourist trade.

Earlier in the week, most forecasts were quite optimistic for good weather, but it all changed yesterday, with rain predicted for Saturday and showers on Sunday and Monday.

It has left potential holidaymakers confused, and it is feared many will stay at home rather than shell out for costly fuel with the risk of rain rather than sun.

Others are likely to save money by sitting in front of the television to watch the closing events from Beijing, especially since GB athletes have done so well. Poor weather affects campsites more than hotels, and although many have been waterlogged for weeks, most report that bookings are still good.

Newspapers, television and radio channels, and websites have been giving different predictions all week and, after probably the wettest August on record, many people are not prepared to take a chance and travel.
Click here!

The AA is forecasting one of the quietest August bank holidays in recent times.

In Torbay, the Widdicombe Farm campsite does not have any problems with waterlogged campers, after investing in all-weather pitches.

"People seem to be coming down regardless of the weather, and are determined to have a good time," said manager Elizabeth Glynn. "We are fully booked and having to turn people away."

Hotels in South Devon are reporting mixed fortunes, with some not prepared to comment at all on the situation.

But Daniel Graham, operations manager at the Imperial at Torquay, said bookings were holding up quite well, and they were ahead of last year.

"We obviously hope for good weather, but if it is bad there are plenty of facilities on site to keep our guests entertained and occupied."

Aviva Pearson, Torbay director of tourism, was keeping upbeat, and pointed out that bookings and telephone calls to the tourist information centres were quite high.

"There is plenty to do in Torbay whatever the weather. The weather is something we cannot control — not even other beautiful places such as Florida and the Caribbean can do that."

A Met Office spokesman at Exeter pointed out that weather forecasting was not an exact science, and probably never would be.

"It is particularly difficult in the South West because there are so many micro climates — one area can have different weather from somewhere a few miles away," he said.

But, glancing at the latest computer patterns, he did offer an optimistic verdict on the coming weekend: "I don't think it is going to be too bad at all, compared to what we have had lately."

Thanks for typing that out for us all Viaduct, however there's a problem with the bit in the middle where you typed "Click here". I clicked there and nothing happens.

Here's hoping for really good weather for this weekend, so that everyone who has two or three days off work can really enjoy themselves.

P.S. Viaduct, have you seen my straightforward answers to your straightforward questions?

You will 'never' get answers from him .. just glooooom! He lives for it.

I think you will find gloom has nothing to do with anything. Unless you regard the truth as gloomy? Viaduct tells it as it is....a shame Dawlish Town Council don't follow his lead; rather than following an aversion to the truth.

What's Dawlish Town Council got to do with the weather?

Mind boggling!

As mind boggling as your ability and willingness to deflect truth and facts

Well done Dullish Roy.

This thread has gone from an interesting opening post by laughing boy Viaduct, to being about your obsession with the flipping Council.

The mind well and truly boggles.

You should be on our Council deacon....your evasion skills are of a similar level.

This thread is about the Bank Holiday, Dullish Roy, so please pray tell me what on earth you think I'm evading!

Bizarre!

And what do you hope to bank from your holiday?

Nice of you to ask, Dullish Roy.

We've a full day tomorrow spent entertaining friends from Humberside. Weather-permitting, I'm hoping that my nearest and dearest will be going on a picnic on Sunday - just the two of us for that! And then we're off with some other friends to Lincoln for the day on Monday.

Quite a busy few days, but I'm really looking forward to it.

So, to answer your question, I intend to bank some quality time with people I care about.

What are you going to be doing this bank holiday? Spending it in Torquay?

Whatever you're doing I hope it's fun.

I am hoping that the weather stays fine. Am arriving with my sister in law and nephews on Tuesday morning and staying till Friday evening. Really looking forward to our trip and seeing the changes that have taken place in Dawlish and the surrounding areas. Here's to some sunshine for the week ahead. Thanks to everyone that has given us suggestions for if the weather is raining at any time.

What changes are u expecting?
I hope the weather changes for the better, but I do not hold my breath.

feel free to hold your breath for as long as you want. the longer the better.

That's my point, I am looking forward to seeing what has changed since my last visit. I beleive that there are now some new apartments at the end of Dawlish Front, changes at the Warren and lots of work at Teighmouth. It's always interesting to see change.