This morning we checked out of the lovely Harvey’s Point Hotel and drove towards Enniskillen which is across the border in Northern Ireland. It took just over an hour. You pass through a few little towns which look like they have been around for a while. I am really impressed with the rural properties – the houses are old style but built from solid concrete and the gardens are very well kept. All the flowers are in bloom which adds to the appeal.

We passed through Enniskillen which sits at one end of Lough (Loch or Lake) Erne and headed for the Lough Erne Golf Resort. There are two golf courses out here – the Faldo Course and Castle Hume. Today we played the Faldo Course which was designed by Nick Faldo, his first in Ireland, and built in 2007.

The setting is spectacular with the golf course nestled on a private 600 acre peninsula between Lower Lough Erne & Castle Hume Lough. We also had the most perfect day which added to the vistas. Everywhere you looked there was a photo opportunity. The natural surrounds are amazing coupled with the lake views. The course, however, was really challenging with water on 14 of the 18 holes. My golf was fair to middling today so a quick stop at the driving range after we finished the 18 holes will hopefully stand me in good stead for tomorrow’s round at Castle Hume.

Tonight we are staying at the Loch Erne Resort which overlooks the golf course. It is a fantastic setting. It’s 7.20pm and we are sitting outside having a drink overlooking the 18th green with the sun shining on the lake – life doesn’t get much better than this : )

The Loch Erne golf resort hosted the G8 summit last year and will host the Irish Open in 2017.

Lough Erne is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is the second-biggest lake system in Northern Ireland and Ulster, and the fourth biggest in Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne, which flows north and then curves west into the Atlantic. The smaller southern lake is called the Upper Lough (as it is further up the river) or South Lough. The bigger northern lake is called the Lower Lough or North Lough. The town of Enniskillen lies on the short stretch of river between the lakes. The lake has 154 islands along with many coves and inlets. When windy, navigation on Lower Lough Erne, running for 26 miles almost to the Atlantic, can be something of a challenge with waves of open-sea dimensions.