Having been a frequent visitor to France for many many years, one of the first discussions is the method of travel, and then the route. Experience has taught that it is far better to travel by car, particularly when it is for an extended stay, and further that for us based in the south of England, the ports of Portsmouth or Poole become the obvious choice.

A day visit to play golf at the Souillac Golf and Country Club last autumn was just enough to whet the appetite for a return visit to enjoy a stay in one of the delightful Scandinavian cabins. The drive to Souillac from the South is quite spectacular, there are so many magical sights, it is impossible not to stop to take in the views.

After the peace and quiet of southern France, the drive to the Radisson Hotel was a shock to the system. As Paris nears, the traffic intensifies, and after a few weeks of seeing few vehicles, it is very noticeable. The peripherique was more manic than ever I remember it, and it was a relief to arrive and check into the hotel.

Many years ago, on my first visit to Romsey, I drove down the A3507 from Andover and into a village, where to my fascination all the houses were painted in the same dark green colour. Curiosity got the better of me as I passed through, and I made a U turn and returned to the village shop to enquire about this unusual situation.

The past two years has seen many changes at Old Thorns, changes that are part of a substantial investment programme which will cost in excess of twenty million pounds and that was undertaken following the acquisition of the estate. The programme, which commenced in April 2007, has been undertaken to ensure that Old Thorns will be at the forefront of the premier golf and leisure resorts in the South of England.

Golf legend, Gary Player has just ended a 4-day visit to his two Signature Golf Courses on the Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria inspecting the final stages of the course construction at Thracian Cliffs and attending the Grand Opening of BlackSeaRama.

With the privilege of reading the majority of new books, it is easy to become nonchalant, but when the subject is links golf, that is entirely another matter. 'Journey Through the Links' is a wonderful addition to the literary world of golf. As a self confessed addict, I read and was able to relive many of the rounds I have played over these fascinating and challenging courses, collected, photographed and described in one beautifully presented book by David Worley.