Eight Weeks by the Sea in Torquay

Torquay has become a place stitched into our journey, and this sit, eight weeks with Caroline and Jennay, was one of the most memorable. From the very start, they welcomed us not just as sitters, but as friends, and over time that’s exactly what they became.

The heart of the home was Sooty, their black cat, an older gentleman full of character. Sooty had a voice and he wasn’t shy about using it, always ready to tell us about his day of adventures, especially if it involved food. He was equal parts companion and storyteller, filling the house with his presence.

But the sit held more than one kind of life. Four tree frogs perched in their terrarium, fascinating to watch and even more so to hold. Their jewel-like colours and delicate movements brought a touch of the wild rainforest into the home. Two sea tanks glowed softly too, alive with anemones, corals, and a little clownfish, a miniature world of the ocean within the house.

Our days in Torquay were shaped by the sea. We spent long hours on the beach, where Dylan — and all of us, really, learned to paddle board. Each attempt brought more balance, more confidence, until it became second nature to glide across the water. Dylan’s love of the sea grew deeper with every wave.

Life in Torquay stretched beyond the beach, though, it was about connection. We reunited with friends we’d first met last year, friends we’ve stayed in touch with ever since. They welcomed us into their home for a lovely Sunday lunch, and Dylan spent the afternoon playing with their beautiful beagle, laughter carrying through the garden as if no time had passed at all. At the same time, new friendships also bloomed, meals shared, nights out enjoyed, moments of community that reminded us how quickly hearts can feel at home in a place.

Dylan’s world opened wider here too. He went with his friends to a Torquay football match, swept up in the chants and the energy of the crowd. Back at the Dolphin, where we’d spent time last year, we were welcomed like family. Dylan played pool with the team, and evenings there felt full of belonging, warmth, and familiarity.

Family came to join the adventure as well. We treated Mum and Dad to a lovely hotel stay for their birthdays and Father’s Day, and those days together became memories we’ll always treasure. We explored Paignton and Brixham, the latter a beautiful fishing village filled with history and charm. We played mini golf (Dad claimed his victory once again), wandered cobbled streets, and ended the evening back at the hotel with cards and live music drifting through the air. Simple, perfect moments.

And then came a day that showed us just how much Dylan had grown. Out on his paddle board, he noticed a group of boys in trouble. Their boat had lost its oars and the current was pulling them away. Without hesitation, Dylan tied them all together on his board and began to drag them back toward shore, holding on until help arrived. It was one of those moments that takes your breath away, pride and awe mingling as we realised just how strong and capable he had become.

Looking back, those eight weeks in Torquay were more than a sit. They were a season of the sea, of friendships rekindled, of new ones formed, of family laughter, and of pride.

Reflection from the road: This sit reminded us that home is as much about people as it is about place. In Torquay, we found friendship, belonging, and the joy of community woven into our days by the sea. And in those moments, from the chants of a football crowd to the quiet purr of Sooty, we felt part of something bigger than ourselves.