three hosts, three countries, great day

Posted by Michael on 27 October 2010 | 0 Comments | Tags: , , , , , ,

12 photo captions from day 289 of puregolf2010 â?? the day we visited three countries.

1 (above).  Our day began with a farewell to Thijs and his family in the fortified village of Naarden Vesting just out of Amsterdam.   Thijs had left the car window down all night but being a safe town our golf clubs were still intact.

2.  On road with Snoop Dog on directions we flew down to Belgium, along the Dutch roads which are without a doubt the best roads Iâ??ve driven on this year and past the traditional windmills.  European house music blaring we were full of energy.

3.  We have a few hours in Brussels before our afternoon tee time so we head into the city, park the car and emerge from the empty car parking building (on Sunday morning everyone is in church) to the view above.

4.  We quickly realise that we have no idea what is going on in this town. Itâ??s colder than Antarctica and every item of clothing weâ??d managed to sneak through the terriers at the Easyjet counter have been put on. I get on the iPhone and flick an email to our host for the afternoon Chris.  

5.  Chris is a local guy working for Starwood Hotels. One of his colleagues, Brad, invited us for a game in Belgium a few weeks back but he was away for work with the timing.  Chris lives locally so we convince him to get out of bed for a quick tour of the city before golf. 

6.  Chris takes us to the digs of the Royal Family in the centre of town.  They are impressive, to the square (above middle) where we fit in with all the other tourists, and to the middle of the financial hub of Belgium (immediately above).   Supposedly this is a very affordable capital compared to other European cities.

7.  And of course we check out the famous statue of a little man urinating.   We thought of our dear friend William.

8.  Belgium is famous for its chocolates and whilst we walk past a number of shops and take the customary photographs we steer clear of them as JP is watching his weight.  We do, however, indulge in other famous local fare â?? frites & mayonnaise and waffles.

<a href=http://www.tournette.tv/?TheVideo=662 target=_blank><img src=http://www.bezoom.be/admin/thumbnails/9/uk_15.jpg border=0></a>

9.   It is time for golf. We are hosted at the Chateau de la Tornette Golf Course about 15 minutes south of Brussels.  They layers are piled on as the mercury is maxing it out at about 4 degrees Celsius.  This is a serious club with two courses, the English course â?? designed by Martin Hawtree, and the American course â?? designed by Bill Amich.  We opt for the English design and nick ahead of some locals on the first tee.  Rushing and without warming up we somehow smoke it down the middle and weâ??re away.  This is supposed to be a video of the course I have borrowed from their website. "this pond plays host to many balls"

10.  We are making it around.  Everywhere the sky is grey but the four of us (Bart and I are paired against JP and Chris) are playing some decent golf here and there.  JP is, customarily, rolling in putts left right and centre.  It seems it doesnâ??t matter what country he is â?? unfortunately for Bart and I.  The course is strong and this par five 12th hole beats us up. In particular JP who hits a pure shank towards the solo woman playing ahead of us about to tee off on the next tee.  She, like other ladies on the course, has been squawking her way around the course as putts intermittently drop.  Theyâ??re an enthusiastic bunch over here.

11.  The round finishes and we sample some more local Belgium fare â?? a Duvel.  This combined with some chicken wings sends us on our way content.  Thanks to Chris for arranging our day.

12.  The Duvel has put me to sleep in the back seat but ahead is Paris. And the next phase of our day as we try to navigate the traffic and then meet our third hosts of the day â?? Slambino & Smyth at â??le Meridianâ?? hotel in the centre of Paris.  Itâ??s too late for sightseeing but we catch up over a beer in the hotel bar before we retire to bed excited about the prospect of Golf de Morfontaine tomorrow.

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