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Löwendenkmal - Luzern

Zurichstrasse, Luzern

4 06-09-2010

The Lion monument of Lucerne, the Löwendenkmal, a magnificent sculpture of a dying lion, is a must visit here. It commemorates the mercenary Swiss guard of Marie Antoinette who were decimated in the overthrow of the Royal family in France.

Then lighten up by taking a cruiser for a trip of the lake. There are great views (including villas of the rich and famous) on both banks and a glass of the local beer (Eichhof) will go down nicely as you listen to the commentary.

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Mount Pilatus - Luzern

Luzern

4 06-09-2010

MOUNT PILATUS
The day started fine and clear and fortunately continued that way as we headed up Mount Pilatus by cog railway (from Alpnachstad), with gradients sometimes in the high 40s. This has been a tourist venue since the early 19th century and the cog railway is just one way of getting to the summit.

Spectacular views all around at the top but especially towards the Jungfrau and company. There are a few walks on the top and then you may down head down by cable car and gondola to Krienz.
You may, of course also ascend by cable car or if feeling really fit you may walk to the top.
Perhaps the best option, and one I’m sorry I didn't take, is the Golden Roundtrip, which combines a trip by lake steamer to Alpnachstad, a cogwheel train ascent, descent by aerial cablecar and a panoramic gondola to Kriens, and a 15-minute bus ride back to Lucerne.

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Jungfraujoch / "Top of Europe" - Jungfraujoch

Kanton Wallis / Schweiz, 3801 Jungfraujoch

5 06-09-2010

TOP OF EUROPE
One of the highlights of a trip to Switzerland is the train trip to the Top of Europe. The Jungfrau Railway takes us to Europe’s highest altitude railway station at 3500m approx. The final stage up is on a 108m lift, which makes the trip in 11 smooth seconds. The weather isn’t the best at the very top but we do get glimpses of the terrain and get out for a few steps on the glacier. You have to take the mountains as you find them.

Back down the lift then and into the famous ice palace, carved into the glacier. Temperature is minus two degrees but it is easy to walk around and view the chambers and the ice sculptures.

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Q Park - Cork

Carroll's Quay, Cork

2 05-09-2010

Q-PARKS

Found it convenient to park at the Q-Park in Carroll’s Quay this weekend but also found it costly, much more so than parking in the municipal high-rise in Paul Street.

They have introduced a half-hour charge of €1.40 which meant that two hours cost me a whopping €5.60 as against €4.00 in Paul Street or just €2.00 for disc parking on the street, say in Wellington Road.

In similar circumstances in the future, I’ll make that extra effort to get to Paul Street. Did have a snag with the receipt in Carroll’s Quay and I must say that the young man on duty in the office sorted it out quickly and courteously without any fuss whatsoever.

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Church of the Resurrection - Blarney

Town Square, Blarney

4 05-09-2010

CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION

Blarney’s Church of the Resurrection has a good position, looking down on the village but still very much in the centre. With Carrigrohane and Inniscarra, it forms the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes (Church of Ireland). Every first Sunday, the three congregations get together for a joint service in Carrigrohane’s St Peter’s.

Built in 1776, the church is the oldest functioning building in the town square. It included a private gallery for the family that owned Blarney Castle. The stained glass windows, both featuring the resurrection, are by Hardman in 1867 and by the Harry Clarke Studios (1926). The church as renovated in 1997.

http://www.carrigrohaneunionofparishes.ie
021 4877 260

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Drake's Pool - Crosshaven

Crosshaven

3 05-09-2010

DRAKE’S POOL
You will pass Drake’s Pool, a scenic part of the estuary, on the road from Carrigaline to Crosshaven. There is a car park nearby so you can stretch your legs and take in the pleasant view of the historic spot.

Apparently, in 1589 or thereabouts (you will see other dates, though 1589 is the one on the nearby commemorative plaque), Sir Francis Drake (1540-96) was being pursued by elements of the Spanish Armada who chased him into Cork Harbour. But the Spaniards didn't have the local knowledge and sailed past the Crosshaven estuary and up towards the city instead.
They missed Drake and his handful of sheltering ships and sailed out again.

The relieved Englishman allowed a few days to elapse before venturing back to the open sea. It must have been a nervous time but today the location is all about relaxation, plenty of seats around the modest tree lined “pool” and many pleasure craft bobbing at anchor with not a care in the world.

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MISS KATIE’S TEA ROOMS - Blarney

8A Blarney Shopping Centre, Blarney

5 05-09-2010

Cupcakes by Katie is a family business, founded by Kay Weldon, and it was Kay herself that we met in her Tea Rooms (next to Malone’s Bar on the Blarney by-pass) last Saturday.
We really enjoyed our coffee and cup cakes and a wide ranging chat with herself, ranging from picking blackberries to the good old days and also including the All-Ireland final. The few minutes we’d scheduled for the cuppa stretched pleasantly, not least because the cup cakes were gorgeous.
She does them in many flavours and in a few sizes: mini, large and giant and you may also order specials like Black Forrest Gateaux and Banoffee and Wedding Cupcakes (of which she had a few on display last Saturday).
Now you know where to go if you are in the Blarney area and need a cuppa and cake and maybe a pleasant conversation as well. We certainly enjoyed it and purchased a box of cakes on our way out.

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Healy's Honey - Ballincollig

Ballincollig

4 03-09-2010

NOT QUITE A SWEET CONCLUSION
Bought my honey chase for the summer to a temporary though sweet conclusion on a recent visit to Dunnes Store in Blackpool.
My recent post
http://corkfood.blogspot.com/2010/08/pot-of-honey-or-pot-... highlighted the differences in price and make-up of the amber nectar around the Cork area.
I was in Dunne’s on a different “mission” when I spotted their honey offerings. Their own (€1.99) and a Boyne Valley product had the same make-up as the Aldi product, that is the honey was a blend of EC and non EC honeys.
So I left those and then I spotted Healy’s Honey. This has to be Irish, I thought. Well yes and no. While Healy’s do at least one jar that is 100 per cent Irish honey, most of their products contain imported honey.
The one I bought was Healy’s Natural Honey Blend. It cost €2.99 and I found it very tasty and enjoyable. But it is not 100% Irish as it states clearly on the jar: a blend of Irish and non EU honey for improved flavour and quality. They also do an organic honey and that comes from South America.
I must try their Pure Irish Honey. But Dunne’s didn't have it and neither did Tesco. I’ll leave it there for the moment. Better try and finish off the jars accumulated in recent weeks!
Healy’s Honey, Maglin, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
http://www.healyshoney.ie
021 48 71 258

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Fountainstown Beach - Crosshaven

Fountainstown, Crosshaven

3 03-09-2010

FOUNTAINSTOWN
Fountainstown, let’s face it, is not the prettiest of beaches. But it does have a bus service from the city and also has a large car park. It has been popular for decades and that is still the case.
There is sand enough there but on my recent visit, it was covered in seaweed. In fairness, a clean-up is scheduled. There are also a fair share of small stones there and one would have thought it possible they could be periodically cleared with a tractor and rake. Maybe it is done early in the season.
In any case there is more than enough to keep the kids going here. One of the main attractions, as it has been over the years, is the huge number of little pools left in the rocks as the tide retreats, more than enough to occupy the inquisitive children, not to mention the parents.
Oh by the way. There was a small amount of litter there but nothing major. A good clean-up of the seaweed and this great little destination, which also has a little shop and cafe, would be in great shape for what is left of the “Indian” summer.

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Amicus Restaurant - Cork

23 Paul Street Plaza, Cork

4 03-09-2010

AMICUS (not a Spanish restaurant!!!!)
(Paul Street)
021 4276455
My first impressions on entering Paul Street’s Amicus, after a long absence, were good. There was a jolly welcome and we were escorted to our lunchtime table upstairs. Seating was comfortably and the place looked good and clean.
The service was friendly and smooth throughout and we were asked if everything was okay two or three times which is about sufficient.
The food was excellent. I went for the specials, I often do. Started with a Celery and Bacon Soup, a hearty bowl of freshness with plenty of tasty bits in there.
Picked the main course off the board: Lamb with vegetables, garlic and rosemary mashed potato and a red win jus. Everything here was spot on, particular the vegetables which were cooked to a t, indeed a degree or two better than in a recent dish at Market Lane where they were a touch too hard.
They really have a huge menu here, huge choices and some bargains to be had. The drink list is also extensive and they sell red wines by the glass. I picked the De Gras Cabernet Sauvignon and this deep red medium bodied Chilean was great value at €4.95.
The bill for two (2 starters, 2 mains and 2 wines) came to €42.80. Would be quite willing to go back there again for an evening meal.

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Cork's Qype profile

Löwendenkmal - Luzern

Mount Pilatus - Luzern

Jungfraujoch / "Top of Europe" - Jungfraujoch

Q Park - Cork

Church of the Resurrection - Blarney

Drake's Pool - Crosshaven

MISS KATIE’S TEA ROOMS - Blarney

Healy's Honey - Ballincollig

Fountainstown Beach - Crosshaven

Amicus Restaurant - Cork

06-09-2010

05-09-2010

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