Thirty-two intrepid explorers met early one September morning at a frantic Gatwick airport. By lunchtime, they were basking in the warm Greek sunshine and gazing on the azure Ionian Sea as it gently washed the beaches of Navarino Bay.

What a fabulous hotel we arrived in. We all imagined that we had been upgraded. The rooms were spacious and magnificently equipped. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We were ready for welcome drinks and the Welcome Dinner. The food choices were astonishing.

The next day we nursed our sore heads and prepared for golf. There are two courses at Costa Navarino. We started on The Dunes which simulate a UK links course with mounds and treacherous hollows and undulating fast greens. The second course is The Bay course with stunning and breathtaking views over Navarino Bay. No wonder our scores were low!

Our games were team events with indecipherable rules resulting in resounding successes for the female participants. They do get generous yardage advantages on European courses. On the final day, The Massacre of the Innocents, the Ladies were victorious in the match-play event too. Congratulations were uttered through gritted teeth. And so on to the prize-giving evening. The much-coveted Spoons of Nike and Zeus were awarded to Sue Devine (Nike, the Goddess of Victory) for playing brilliantly and Pete Carpenter (Zeus, the god known for being lucky with his partners).

We all enjoyed the excellent food at the hotel’s eight restaurants and the wine deal of £13 for two hours of unlimited consumption. This enabled us to forget our inadequate golfing efforts of that day. But we were ecstatic when we found the restaurants at the local village that enable us to watch stunning sunsets over the bay whilst we drank and laughed our evenings away. Trips were also made to local places of interest and guided tours at the hotel were excellent and informative.

All in all, it was a fabulous trip. We all agreed we should repeat our joyous experiences sooner rather than later before property development and popularity will spoil the fabulous feel that it now has. Well done everyone, you were a great friendly group that enjoyed it all. It was a pleasure to be with you.

Giles Hinchcliffe