ON THE GOLF COURSE!

This morning I had another walk around Mendip Golf Course.  Last time it was the first nine holes, but this time, for a change, I went around the last nine holes accompanied by my playing husband, whose mates had deserted him!

I was last there about the month ago and what a difference to the light!  Last time it was still quite dark when we arrived but now it is so much lighter that the ground staff arrive at 6am to begin work.  We were the first out and we saw various ground work activities taking place in preparation for the day ahead. 

On this side of the course is a lake, which has visitors in the form of breeding pairs of Canadian Geese.  I tried to get close enough to a couple of them to take their photograph but they weren't keen!   Every year they start producing young and they are not popular with the golfers.  They are big birds that produce a lot of waste matter, mostly on the fairways...

  

EARLY MORNING AT MENDIP GOLF CLUB!

Yesterday was my first early morning walk this year!  A combination of wet, cold, weather, and friends who have been away or had commitments, meant that I haven't had the motivation for a walk before!  Now, however, I have been wearing a pedometer to see what exercise I am actually getting. This has made me decide that I do indeed need to increase my movement, for all sorts of health benefits!

So, when I was asked to drive my husband up to the golf club so he could walk around with his golfing buddy, I joined them for the walk, just as the sun was rising. The reason I had to drive was that my husband had just had cataract surgery and was missing his early morning rounds!  

A couple of incidents with cameras has resulted in me having a new one that can survive my rough treatment!  I chose the Olympus Tough 5 which can be dropped without ill effect, is fully waterproof and can take pics underwater.  As wild swimming is one of my major activities this will be a bonus...

This camera is also good for close-ups, so I did some practice shots, as demonstrated above.  Even on a cold, frosty February morning there were signs of wildflowers on the golf course. 

We were at the Mendip Golf course, which is high up and has superb views.  You can see for miles and miles...

'GOLF IS A GOOD WALK SPOILED'!

As Mark Twain once said - 'Golf is a good walk spoiled.'  Today, I put that to the test!  This morning, as I had no-one to walk with, and my husband's golfing mates had deserted him, I decided to accompany him to his club!

The Mendip Golf Club is situated high on the Mendips Hills, giving fantastic panoramic views.  I have been told that on a clear day you can view 7 counties from the course!  Today, I could see the iconic landmarks of Glastonbury Tor and Wells Cathedral.  First thing this morning it was hazy, and there was a heavy dew underfoot.  However, the sun was up, so it soon cleared and became warm.  As it was a bank holiday, it was good to get out early before the course became busy...

When walking on a golf course it is good to go with a golfer or someone who knows the course, so you don't interfere with people's games or put yourself in danger from flying golf balls!  There are advantages to a walk in the manicured countryside of a golf course - seats, huts, wide clear paths, and even a gents and ladies toilet!

You may think there isn't much wildlife and natural vegetation on The Mendip Golf Club course, but you would be wrong.  Once you are off the velvet greens, fairways and light rough there is loads of natural habitat for animals, birds and insects, including a large lake, a small pond and loads of trees.  You could even do some foraging, as I found loads of blackberries and some small apples!

The club does seem to be surrounded by the latest technology - several wind turbines and various ariels and masts!  Must be because it is on high ground - it is located on the north facing slope of the Mendips, at an elevation of almost 1,000ft. It is often windy and sometimes shrouded in clouds... 

I enjoyed my walk around the course and finished, like most golfers, in the 19th hole - the clubhouse, and had a welcome cup of tea!