Posted in I'm Enjoying, Restaurants

Parknasilla is Fabulous

Kerry again.  Just wow!  At the beginning of the month it was a trip to Dingle and last weekend I enjoyed another stay in the Kingdom of Kerry, this time at Parknasilla.  There’s a family of politicians that hale from that part of the country – the ‘Healy Rae’s’ and as we drove through Kilgarvan – their locality – I could understand why they always sound so up-beat.  It’s beautiful.  No matter what topic they’re covering they speak in musical tones with a charming lilt, so even if they’re complaining they still manage to sound happy about it.  The roads – thanks in no small part to the Healy Rae’s I believe – are in great condition, so even though they may at times seem endlessly winding and a little on the narrow side they feel safe.  The drive is also enchantingly beautiful especially at this time of the year as the hedgerows are generously carpeted with vibrant purple rhododendrons.

Parknasilla resort is a wonderful hideaway of a place.  So much space, so much to do and explore and so many places just to sit and relax and do nothing.  Bliss. I recommend.

Here’s a few snaps from my stay.

xx Sheila.

 

Posted in I'm Enjoying

Barcelona

I spent a blissful couple of nights on a midweek break to Barcelona recently and I shall return. Again and again and again. It was my second trip there, though I don’t think my first can be counted. On that trip I do remember a visit to the Nou Camp, a fabulous meal by the water and a spectacular light show at the Magic Fountain but mostly I remember continuously counting the children (mine), losing one for a heart-stopping couple of minutes and the relief of leaving with all of them.

On this trip it was just me and him and with no one to count it was a much more relaxed trip.

Loved the hotel we stayed at – The Pulitzer Barcelona – in a great location perfect for strolling around.

Barcelona has everything : shopping, site seeing and great restaurants. So go there & relax!

xx Sheila.

A few recommendations :

Stay – The Pulitzer

Brunch – Citizen

See – Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, Market – Mercado de la Boqueria, Boats at Port Veil.

Posted in I'm Enjoying

Gone Fishing!

Just to let you know that the team here at Gimme The Recipe (moi) is on a blogging break for July & August but do please check back in September for lots more tasty recipes and easy food ideas…. Have a lovely summer!
gonefishing
‘Til September, Sheila.

Posted in I'm Enjoying, Restaurants

Sliced { Ballincollig }

Sliced Ballincollig.

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A badly needed eatery has just opened in Ballincollig {outside Cork city} and it is excellent.

I’ve sampled the antipasto….

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….the pizza

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….the wine and the coffee but I’ll have to go back again for the dessert.

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It’s good value & child friendly and while we were there a number of people were just popping in for takeout coffees.

Service is great, very attentive and friendly and I’m looking forward to a return visit and maybe even to sit outside.

www.sliced.ie , Main Street Ballincollig, Co. Cork, 021-4879131

‘Til next time, Sheila.

Posted in I'm Enjoying

West Cork’s Best Kept Secret – Three Castle Head Cafe

NOTE: UPDATE August 2019 – to the best of my knowledge The Cafe is not currently open and wasn’t last summer either – i do hope that changes and if it does I will update again……...

Shhhh. Go find it and then don’t tell anyone where it is. Amazing coffee, the world’s best chocolate brownies and scenery that you will find nowhere else in the world – Three Castle Head Cafe in West Cork has it all.  And besides that it is a happy place with a happy workforce and such a fabulous welcome that you feel like an old friend.  When we were there today we met a lone traveller who could not stop smiling as he enjoyed his cup of tea and the vista. He was just bursting with declarations of what an amazing place this is.  And it is. Go find it (it’s near Barleycove) and you will never need to go anywhere else.

photo 1-1 photo 1-2 photo 1-3 photo 1-4 photo 1-5 photo 1 photo 2-1 photo 2-3 photo 2-4 photo 2-5 photo 2 photo 3-1 photo 3-3 photo 3-4 photo 3-5 photo 3 photo 4-1 photo 4-3 photo 4-4 photo 4-5 photo 4‘Til next time, Sheila