Out and About

Burnham Sea Wall

Nugent's Temptation

Circular Turret is the Cleric's Lighthouse

Sun setting by the wooden lighthouse

-->

We have settled in nicely. The routine has evolved to a schedule;a hearty breakfast at 0800, a walk to the course that takes about 15 minutes, warm up and off we go for another round in paradise.

It is now the weekend and the course is a little busier but the staff accommodating and the members very friendly. The Pope can be high maitanence and was fussing for a short sleeve sweater. The club captain introduced himself, and took it upon himself to bring Brian the perfect sweater! I was incredibly impressed with his generosity of time; his team was just starting an important interclub match. John and Brian played well today, for me, I scored the only birdie of the group in 3 rounds but misfortune was all too prevalent, I am 10 pounds (currency) lighter.

We have no intention of playing 36 holes, we generally lunch at the club then read or nap in the afternoon. We have walked much of the town and can share a few points of interest.

Current lighthouse and Burnham and Berrow Insignia

Lighthouses: Historically there are 3 lighthouses. The photos show the old Vickers lighthouse, decommissioned in 1825.The cleric had it built and charged ships a small fee for passing by. The Pope was not impressed with this “double dipping” by the clergy, frankly I admired the entrepreneurism. In 1825 lighthouse administration became centralized and the price paid to the Vicker was 12,000 pounds (a million dollars in today’s funds). There is a unique wooden lighthouse still operational on the beach as well as the more traditional icon.

The town lies on an estuary and is second only to the Bay of Fundy in tidal movement. Our Canadian estuary has a maximum 49-foot change, here it is 47 feet.

In 1981 there was a tidal event that led to extensive flooding, hence the construction of an extensive sea wall. This serves as a wonderful walk way and a center point to access the 7 mile beach.

We have had decent meals, last night Italian, the night before we ate at the Dunstan pub, beautiful presentation of a braised pork chop with Yorkshire pudding. Nugent is on a diet and I estimate he has lost 10 pounds since Christmas. He is only eating 1 meal a day and I am sure that this approach is without executive approval (his wife has a PhD in nutritional sciences!). After dinner he will often challenge himself by walking into the many sweet stores, observing the choices and then exiting with the profound satisfaction of exhibiting self-control.

Today is our last day at this grand course and tomorrow is a travel day, car to Bristol, train to London, Chunnel to Brussels, drive to Antwerp. We will arrive to a welcoming reception and meet our other teammates.

The Leaning Church

Wind surfer at top speed

The good weather remains in the forecast!