Day two in Northern Ireland and my cousin has organised for me to play a game at the Ballyclare golf club so I’m up early and ready by 6:30. I hadn’t been told the time but found out it was going to be 10:30. Breakfast done and just ready to go when I get the message that it’s cancelled due to the weather. Ok. I’m now going out with my cousin shopping. Then, just before we left I was told the game was back on and I’d be hitting off at 1:27.
We went to Carrickfergus so that my cousins wife could purchase some material for a dress. It was around 12:30 when we left the material shop but we headed into the town to get a bite to eat at a very quaint tea shop called ‘The Courtyard’
Beginning to think my cousins wife has dyslexia as they think that time stretches. But We ordered our food and managed to eat it within fifteen minutes. Miracle.
Jumped in the car and made our way through the traffic. On the way my cousin who’d organised the game for me text to say it was pouring in Ballyclare. Game off? We decided to go anyway and managed to reach the golf club with three minutes to spare. Another miracle- it was ON!
I basically threw the money at them,grabbed my borrowed clubs/sticks and buggy(trolley) (I’m always using the wrong word/golf terminology). And joined two of the loveliest ladies for half a round of golf. It was SUCH a picturesque course. Manicured fairways and sandpits (bunkers) spectacular views with plenty of intermittent rain.
The two ladies (another heather and a Margaret) were very good players and they were actually playing in a competition called stapleford. I just counted my shots AND my blessings to be able to play with them.
On the second last hole I managed to do a terrific slide down a small incline as I didn’t bring my golf shoes and lost my footing. Landing on my backside and coating myself with mud. I was really soaking from the waist down but I didn’t care. I’d finally played golf in Northern Ireland.
Had such a brilliant day with my new friends.
On the last hole I realised that my phone was dying (again) and I messaged my cousin for a ride home.
I tried to clean off as much mud as possible but nothing helped. Not even the air hose that cleans your shoes. The lovely ladies who’d let me join them even gave me little gifts. A pink ball marker and marking pencil. I also purchased a golf towel from the pro shop. Anyone who knows my golf clubs would know they match completely, being that they are pink and black.
Had a cuppa with my new friends whilst waiting for my pickup. This is the view from the club rooms. Take a closer look, especially at the distant hills-stunning views)
My pickup came and we made our way back to Larne with me feeling very damp around the nether regions
My cousin had organised a spare car he had, to have me covered with insurance and this was the car we were now in. Prior to me heading home I was taken to the cemetery where both my mother and father are buried, for a brief visit.
I eventually reached my accommodation and peeled off the muddied clothes, stepped out of sodden shoes and socks, showered and changed into some clean dry clothes. Perfect.
Lady Boomer 