It’s summer – real summer; warm with blue skies. The perfect kind of day to get out of the city or try out a new hiking trail. Or maybe even one of those incredibly beautiful hikes you’ve done before. The lush, forested hike to the top of Knockomagh Hill near Baltimore in West Cork is […]
County Cork
2015 Snowfall
As things cool down and the frequency of the storms increase, I’ve been thinking back to last winter when we had just been in Ireland for three months. It was the usual: some people thought the weather was the worst it had ever been, some people thought it was too warm, the snow was late, the snow […]
Rocky Bay
In good weather, Rocky Bay can get busy. People might bring those little disposable barbecues with them, beach towels decorate the space and small children work away with a spade in the sand while the brave ones hop in the waves with their hands up. When the tide is low, there is more beach to go round […]
Nandos
In Cork City, the double-storey Nandos is impressive compared to what we’re used to in South Africa where it’s more of a take-away vibe. It’s got plenty of space with high ceilings, a modern feel and a large menu. Staff usually welcome us and show us to a table with a menu in hand, but then we’re expected […]
The Old Head
One of my most favourite places ever, has to be The Old Head of Kinsale. Right on the end of the peninsula is a golf course that’s just for members, and a good-looking one it must be too, but I just go for the views. Here are a few photos from winter and a few from […]
Ayisha’s Spice Shop
It can be difficult to find spices that we usually get in South Africa, in quantity, here in Cork. It seems like most Irish people also don’t really like their food too spicy, so hot chillies can be difficult to source from local supermarkets. Dunnes and Tesco do have an “ethnic” sections but are often […]
A walk at Ballinspittle
This little town is a great place to stop over at if you’re on the way south to the Old Head of Kinsale or Garrettstown Beach. Just south of the town is a place where you can pull over and enjoy a walk through forests and gorse (in season).
Red Barn Beach
It was midday when we stopped over at Red Barn Beach near Youghal, but it almost looked like dawn. The brooding clouds diffused the light really nicely and the colours and reflections were muted and gentle. It was a really good day to have my camera with me. There’s so much space on this beach […]
Youghal
If I’m not wrong, one of the biggest claims to fame of Youghal is that there were a few shots of the 1950’s version of Moby Dick taken in this town (instead of New Bedford, which had changed too much in the previous century – in other words, Youghal had not changed much). The town is a historic […]
Glengarriff Reserve in winter
This indigenous forest and ancient woodland is named after the town’s located close to. The Glengarriff Reserve is just west of Bantry Bay (the bay can be seen from Lady Bantry’s Lookout, pictured below) and has a few different paths and walking trails that lead through different areas, moorland, meadow, bog and forest. Look out for […]