Our man in South Devon Alan Payling got into the seasonal spirit early as he discovered how people in the coach trade have enjoyed this year’s ‘turkey & tinsel’ season
It’s a staple of the coach trade, and a welcome one. It’s been that time of year when the decorations come out, coaches start to look like Santa’s grottoes on wheels and these days, the jollier coach tour drivers increasingly decorate themselves with more than just a red hat. It’s the time when many of the coach trade’s loyal passengers want to join in the Yuletide fun and are happy to see Christmas arrive early. In that sense, for the uninitiated, it can seem a bit on the weird side. You get used to it, but going on a ‘turkey & tinsel’ tour to Torbay any time from late October to 23 December can appear like you’re entering a parallel universe. But for those who have ever wished that it could be Christmas every day, it’s a dream come true. That’s no bad thing for the industry that also ends up with full stockings at this time of year. And for many older people, who, sadly, may not have their relatives around them to enjoy a lively family Christmas with, the turkey & tinsel tour can be a blessing.
I say all this because when I was driving, it was a bit of a surprise to go through the Stargate at the main entrance to a hotel on a Monday afternoon in late October to find that inside, it was, as if cast by a wave of Walt Disney’s magic wand, Christmas Eve. ‘Mince pie driver? Glass of sherry?’ was the greeting as you tried to dodge the tinsel and avoid knocking the Christmas tree over with the cases. Tuesday morning, it was Christmas Day with everyone wishing their fellow guests a ‘Merry Christmas.’ Later, in the bar, after a turkey dinner, it would often be very merry. Wednesday was Boxing Day and as ever in days gone by for the older passenger, it was an afternoon matinee variety show at the local theatre. This would be followed by more fun and games, bingo and yet another entertainer back at the hotel. Thursday was New Year’s Eve and on Friday morning, everyone had to go back through the Stargate to board the coach, headed now not for Christmas La La Land, but bland, grey reality land.
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