Lingering in London

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I have left the translucent waters and the summer-like heat of Sardinia. I am now back in London for 24 hours before taking a flight with our friends Ryanair to County Kerry in Ireland.

Yes I did criticise Ryanair in an earlier blog and I will not fly with them again (after this flight). I'd actually booked this ticket with a couple of months ago and it flys in to Kerry Airport which is about 30 mins from Ballybunion where my all the cousins live (well most of them).

Although I enjoyed the beaches of Sardinia and the warm weather was probably a bonus, daily trips to the beach (up to four hours at a time) is not my thing (even though I live only two minutes from the beach at Dee Why). My skin would not forgive me had I gone and not paid for a beach umbrella however the courtesy shown by Viviana and her family was very much appreciated.

Cagliari would not make the list of most interesting European cities. In face it reminds me of some of the outer suburbs of Rome, its one saving grace would be the fantastic beaches and the freshest of seafood available at the markets where the produce is caught that very morning.

Anyhow, lets leave Sardinia behind and think ahead to Ireland. I havent been to Ballybunion for a couple of years (its my mum's home town if you didn't know) and I am looking forward to sitting back and relaxing with a pint or two of Guinness.

Ballybunion is a seaside village on the north-west coast of County Kerry close to where the river Shannon meets the Atlantic Ocean. I will be there for five days and is the penultimate destination before returning to Australia on Friday week.

I am typing in my bed in the Travelodge Hotel in Southward in London. The building is very modern however I would say the facilities are at best basic. The room has a tv with only terrestrial channels, there is no mini-bar (you know how much I like to have a mini-bar in my hotel rooms!) and the reception staff would at best be described as uninterested.

I had just returned form breakfast at Del Aziz in Bermondsey Square (or B2 as some hip locals might call it) where I had the breakfast

The Beach Umbrellas of Sardinia

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Most locals prefer to expose themselves to the heat, thus most of the umbrellas get very little use.

feast. On the whole it was pretty good however my poached eggs were overcooked (had I wanted hard boiled eggs I would have asked for them). I provided them with feedback and left without leaving the 'optional' service charge.

I wandered down Long Lane to the Italian Deli (I'm not sure of its name). I bought some anchovies and olives to take to Ballybunion. (The west coast Irish aren't into so-called foreign food). Most of the products are sourced with care from farms in Italy. There are meats, cheeses, olives, pastas and selections of pasta sauces including such varieties as wild boar.

As I walked away from the Deli I realised the deli guy had given me seven pounds too much in change so I returned it and the very appreciative staff member thanked me and offered me a free coffee. Good karma for me again!

Anyway so I am on the last legs of this holiday. I have been blessed weather-wise. I have seen no rain at all so far. With the west coast of Ireland to come that streak may end but fingers crossed there maybe a few more sunny days ahead.

Adios for now.

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