Life

Marie Louise McConville: Praise the Lord, golf has finally returned

Thank goodness golf is now allowed as I'm not sure my sanity could have taken much more
Thank goodness golf is now allowed as I'm not sure my sanity could have taken much more Thank goodness golf is now allowed as I'm not sure my sanity could have taken much more

Praise be the Lord, finally, normal service (kind of) has resumed.

I can't tell you how much my life improved this week and it's all thanks to golf. Now there's a sentence I never thought I'd say.

For months now, I have found myself on the set of Groundhog Day at home where the same questions are asked and the same conversations are had and really, there's only so much I can take.

I mean, the hairdressers and beauty salons have been closed for a century now due to the Covid-19 pandemic and I think I have mentioned it twice at the most.

At the same time, the golf courses have also been closed and I have not heard the end of it - day in, day out, day in, day out.

Any time there's a half decent day, I'm told, "That would be the perfect day for a game of golf".

Any time golf comes on the TV, I'm met with sad eyes and depressed sighs.

And, I'm not sure if it is a coincidence or not but in the evening when we have finished dinner, that is almost always "the" perfect time of day to practice some chipping in the back garden - so I am left with the washing up.

I have to say that while I never really liked being a so-called golf-widow, I was ready to hunt Arlene and Michelle down in recent weeks and sell my soul for them to reopen the courses.

Of course, thankfully, there was no need because the announcement that we were all waiting for came along - the golf courses were allowed to open on April 1.

Immediately, when the booking system opened at the golf club, Darren was sat with both the computer and his phone trying his best to get in first.

However, golfers everywhere obviously had the same idea and he had to wait until this week to finally get back on the fairway.

In between times, he washed and polished the clubs and golfballs and spent quite a bit of time picking out his outfit for the first day and don't even start me on the constant weather updates - it's going to be cold, it might snow, it might rain.

I was a woman on the edge but then, the day arrived and off he went with a big smile on his face and I finally got peace - no golf chat.

While he was out, I whizzed around the house getting things done without him under my feet.

He returned, still smiling and with a spring in his step.

For the rest of the day he was full of beans around the house, helping out with pretty much everything and singing little tunes under his breath - like a new man.

It's amazing to think the difference a game of golf made but here we are, Darren is pleased to be back on his favourite green and am one very happy Birdie.

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A new movie based on the classic 1960s sitcom Bewitched is in early development at Sony Pictures.

This is such great news because I just adored the original series about chaotic newly weds Samantha and Darrin Stephens who were played by the wonderful Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York.

Darrin found out his new bride, with a super itchy nose, was a witch and there was always mayhem each week - much to his dismay.

Now, Terry Matalas and Tarry Ficket, the team behind TV’s MacGyver, are to pen a new script.

I can't wait.

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I've always loved him and now the wonderful Dick Van Dyke, who has long been one of my all time favourite actors, has won a legion of new fans - but not because of his acting.

The 95-year-old Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star was caught doing something rather special in Hollywood in recent days when he was out running errands in Malibu.

Having picked up some groceries from his local CVS pharmacy, the Dignosis Murder actor went to a bank and withdrew some cash - but it wasn't for himself.

He then stopped by the Malibu Community Labor Exchange, a non profit organisation that helps people find day jobs in the area.

The actor then left a group of job seekers stunned after parking outside the facility and handing out cash from his car window to people waiting in line for employment.

The generous act came as millions of Americans have been struggling to make ends meet after losing their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

And despite being considered high risk himself due to his age, the Missouri-born star was undeterred in his efforts to help others.

Whilst it is not known how much the actor handed out, the recipients were reported to be clearly touched by the unexpected act of kindness.

Well done Dick, such a lovely gesture.

We need more people like you in the world.

***Competitions will return in the coming weeks