I’ve gone off on a bit of an ice cream sales trip, which is normally something that my brother does (and much better that I do). Still, it’s been a while since I’ve done a tour of South Kerry and Cork, and I was quite happy to set out.
Honestly, it’s hardly seemed like work at all, given that visiting customers entails snacking at some of the best food shops in Ireland and everybody was so welcoming and friendly.
After leaving Dingle, I stopped in for a latte in our Killarney shop. Then a scenic drive and a fantastic salmon tart at Truffle Pig in Kenmare. Leaving Kenmare, I had a brief stop at Benoit Lorge’s Chocolate Shop, then drove to Ballylicky (an even more beautiful drive) and rewarded myself with some cheese and a herbal drink at Val Manning’s mouth-watering emporium.
On to Bantry, where I visited De Barra’s restaurant, then to Skibbereen, where there’s a new food and wine shop and the very impressive Field’s Supervalu. Then I drove to Bandon for a cappuccino and cherry tart at the unmissable Urru.
Now I’m in Kinsale, where I found room for dinner at Max’s Wine Bar (including a melted chocolate tart served with our ice cream) and am now comfortable ensconced at Perryville House.
Tomorrow I hope I’m feeling less stuffed, because I have a few stops in Cork city and I know I won’t go hungry!
Technorati tags: Cork, restaurant, food, shop, ireland
Happy 
Sean and I have headed to Dublin to take part in 
We shouldn’t be that hard to find. We’re next to a really big fountain and not far from the toilets.
If you’re driving to Dingle from Tralee and feel a bit peckish, there’s a fantastic foodie stop along the way. Maya Binder and her partner Olivier Beaujouan live in Kilcummin Beg, Castlegregory, on the Conor Pass Road to Dingle. You’ll see a sign for “Artisan Producers” on the main road, and then you’ll go up a bumpy lane to their cozy little compound with stunning views across Cloughane Bay.
Maja makes Dingle Peninsula Cheese and Olivier makes a wide variety of products, from tapenades to seafood patés. You might know them from farmer’s markets around the place, but most people don’t know that you can visit their workshop and buy directly from them.
With the days either rainy or cloudy, I´ve continued to spend my time in Barcelona walking and eating. The 
So did the 
Being Barcelona, a good amount of the exposition was given to 
Many of the other places I´ve gone have been little hole in the wall places that my friends here have brought me. All of them good and interesting.
There’s so much I could write about here in Barcelona, but I’ll keep it somewhat brief. What strikes me more than anything, is how this city revolves around eating and drinking. It truly is a food and drink culture. 
Between the restaurants, tapas bars, markets, cafes, and snack shops, there is very little danger of going hungry or thirsty. People eat standing up, walking, sitting down, or any combination of the three. It is also amazing to me how happy people are to have a drink as well – at any time of the day. When I go in for my breakfast coffee, it seems quite normal for business people to be chatting over a beer and a croissant. 
I’d give you the name of the place, but it doesn’t have any sign outside the door, and my friends had no idea what it was called, assuming it’s called anything.
There were no shortage of people, however, delighted to part with 8 euro to photograph scaffolding and mesh-covered walls and be jostled by overwhelming crowds. Maybe I made the mistake of going on a Saturday and encountered more visitors than usual, but I think it was the worst-spent money of my trip.
In the park, you can appreciate the genius of the master, and there are enough winding paths and little nooks that it’s very possible to find a bit of peace and quiet as well (although musicians do tend to pop up). 
Even though I’ve been spritzed and sprinkled by the rain, I’m quite happy to be here in Barcelona! My feet are sore, my belly is full, and I’m feeling more relaxed already. And no, that’s not me in the above photo.
Today, after an excellent cafe con leche at the corner bar, I wandered. Of course, I had to start with 
More wandering, then I met a friend who took me out for – no, not tapas – a feed of excellent sushi (do as the natives do). Apologies – I forgot to make a note of the name of the restaurant.