So down to business.

Our first stop on the itinerary was Alnmouth Village Golf Club, the ideal venue for a pleasant and friendly warm-up on Friday afternoon. Nestled in a picturesque location close to the village of Alnmouth, the original golf course, which had 18 holes, was constructed in 1869 - making it the second oldest in the country. This made Alnmouth a fashionable golfing resort. It was subsequently split into two courses.

Despite its compact 9-hole layout, some holes were certainly a challenge, while others gave spectacular views of the bay. There were the usual hazards of rabbit holes, ditches, gravel tracks…plus the added risk of ramblers blithely strolling down the fairway unaware of the high risk of being hit by flying golf balls. All part of the fun!

We completed the round quickly, and some were prepared for another 9 holes, but a club competition prevented us from doing so. That gave everyone the opportunity to stroll into the village and experience the delights of the local hostelries and get acquainted with the locals.