I checked into my new home for a week, late last night. It is the Heritage Resorts Le Telfair in Mauritius where the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open starts on Thursday. One of the seemingly hundreds of “hosts” loitering in Reception, attended to my every need (well almost) with a steady stream of information about this luxury resort. He told me a few times that he would escort me to my suite. “How pretentious” I thought. Suites are where The Donald stays when he’s temporarily abandoned Trump Tower. Inconsequential golf commentators don’t stay in suites. Well; it turns out it is a suite. It’s got more shuttered windows than President Macron’s holiday Chateau. The enormous bedroom boasts a central four-poster that would have accommodated Henry VIII and at least two Katherines and an Anne, assuming they hadn’t lost their heads. There is a large verandah with cane chairs overlooking a waterway where indolent peddlers idly propel their pedalos and a most elegant sitting area that would allow me to entertain the whole of the TV Commentary team, if I felt so inclined. Which is unlikely. It is the bathroom, though, that caps the lot. Central in a spacious marble topped and elegantly tiled room is one of those enormous free-standing cast iron Victorian baths that Her Majesty could have wallowed in for hours; and I plan to later. The shower room alone is big enough to swing a cow or two, with a selection of powerful roses to cleanse sweaty bodies.
As I write, CNBC is showing pictures of huge snowstorms causing havoc in New York and President Trump arriving in London to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the formation of Nato. For the second time this year The Donald will be dining at Buckingham Palace. You have to wonder what Her Majesty has done to merit such torture twice in quick succession? Relaxing on an Island paradise far out in the Indian Ocean, such matters seem light years away. However, it is my last week working for ETP (the company that produces all the pictures of the European Tour) after nearly thirty years, so I aim to take full advantage of the luxurious surroundings and enjoy every moment. The continued presence of Dale Hayes and Tony Johnstone will test one’s patience considerably, but you can’t have everything. Dougie Donnelly, last week’s lead commentator has returned to Chester. That’s his much loved dog, not where he lives. He’s been replaced by Dominic Holyer, who is tall, slender and handsome as all good TV presenters should be, with just a hint of silvery temples to add an air of distinction. He’s an avid skier and cyclist, which just about balances out the positives and negatives. I jest, cycling is great fun. Apparently.
A teenager had just gone past on a paddle board. Time to get some exercise.
ADayInTheStrifeOf 