It was 2 in the morning when we approached passport control in Dublin airport after flhing in from Napoli airport. The two passport control workers were smiling at the new and old arrivals in Ireland. I was proud that this was the first experience of the Irish welcome the Italian couple in front of us… Continue reading Passport control, Dublin airport, 2 am Sunday morning
Going up in the Monte Solaro chairlift
I went up to the top of Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island of Capri, Italy, yesterday in a chairlift. And it was tremendous fun and afforded some fabulous views down onto the island of Capri. The journey up and down only took 12 minutes each each and cost €12 for the round… Continue reading Going up in the Monte Solaro chairlift
The Isle of Capri
We visited the Isle of Capri yesterday. It takes approximately 20-30 minutes by ferry from the Marina in Sorrento. Capri is a beautiful place and walking around the small streets, repleted with the shops of top end brands and designer labels, remind you how strongly reliant this place is on tourism. You have to assume… Continue reading The Isle of Capri
Positano, Amalfi and the Amalfi Coast
We visited the towns of Amalfi and Positano on the Amalfi Coast yesterday. These are unique, pretty towns/villages which are almost carved out of the limestone cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. Extremely popular destinations in high season and accessed by a road that was built at a time that never envisaged the traffic it now… Continue reading Positano, Amalfi and the Amalfi Coast
Street photography in Sorrento
The weather at the beginning of our holiday in Sorrento has been appalling. Unceasing, relentless, torrential rain. But I decided to try to make the best of it by trying to do some street photography in the rainy streets of Sorrento. And I was quite happy with the results, given it was my first attempt.… Continue reading Street photography in Sorrento
Pompeii-a visit to the hidden city
We visited the Unesco World Heritage site, the Pompeii city excavation yesterday and it was stunning. Pompeii as buried under the rubble and volcanic ash of a two day eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. It remained buried until the 16th century when an architect, engaged in the building of an aqueduct, discovered it… Continue reading Pompeii-a visit to the hidden city
Sorrento, day 1 of annual leave and biblical rain
Day 1 of my annual leave in Sorrento was a difficult one weather wise. It bucketed down with rain for the entire day, and the worst part is the forecast for every day this week is more of the same. I only take one week’s holidays in a year so this is a bit of… Continue reading Sorrento, day 1 of annual leave and biblical rain
Luigi and the Italian economy
If you can get a feel for the economy of a country in which you have just arrived from your taxi driver the Italian economy is not in a good place. Luigi was late to pick us up. In fact he was a no-show. It turns out he fell asleep in his car in the… Continue reading Luigi and the Italian economy
Always be hustling if you are a small business owner
I’m taking annual leave for the next week. So, the girls in the office, when giving appointments for consultations, cannot put anyone in next week. But I noticed yesterday that they were telling callers that I was on annual leave next week and it would be the following week before I could see the caller.… Continue reading Always be hustling if you are a small business owner
Naivety when buying property can lead to a disastrous purchase
Naivety. This is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, things that first time buyers of property need to guard against. You may also fall victim if you are buying in Ireland from abroad. Some of us appear to be born with an inbuilt scepticism and aversion to trusting things as they are claimed… Continue reading Naivety when buying property can lead to a disastrous purchase