Remember the virtual balloon race, Race for Nature? Roger and Carol Newton were the lucky winners of the trip to the Belfry and Middleton Lakes. They tell us about their adventure.
What a surprise and what a prize! A 3 day all expenses paid visit to The Belfry and the RSPB Reserve Middleton Lakes ! As golfers we had always wanted to visit the Belfry and enjoy a round on one of the country's most famous courses and spoil ourselves in a great hotel.
The rain held off and we gave it our best shot as we sped around the course in a buggy with Sat. Nav. so you could not get lost, and allowing you a preview on a screen of how you should play each hole
Day 3 and off to the next treat, a guided tour of the RSPB reserve - MIDDLETON LAKES. Here we were met by a great character Chris who showed us around. What a fascinating place with a very varied habitat of woodland, marsh and scrapes and lakes. The people in the Birmingham area have a wonderful place to visit on their doorstep and there is a lot more to come. The old gravel pits are now glorious lakes and half a million pounds is being spent on creating shallow lagoons and scrapes for waders and ground nesting birds. In a couple of years when things settle it should be a wader paradise and such wonderful walks around the lakes for us. Go and take a look and see the army of diggers on the march! What we so much admire about the RSPB is everything is done with such professionalism, commitment and enthusiasm - we know nature is in good hands with this organisation and its committed staff. All you folks in the Midlands - pack a picnic and go take a look for yourselves.
Roger & Carol