PURTY NICE WEATHER: We just know the sun is dusting off its hat and coming out for summer. Another benefit of the smoking ban is that, when it does, there are more and more comfortable places to sit outside.
The Purty Kitchen opened a new garden terrace (formerly the chic Formality garden centre, so it's festooned with tasteful paving, water features etc) last autumn, and it will get its real baptism this spring as the weather warms up. Visit on a Saturday afternoon after one of the new food and wine tasting sessions in the shop downstairs. There'll be cheeses, salamis, chorizo and other artisan products dished up by visiting suppliers. Today it is the turn of Ummera smoked products. with their organic smoked chicken and salmon. Another West Cork producer, the Baking Emporium, which makes gourmet breads, will also be on-site with their wares. The Purty Kitchen, Old Dún Laoghaire road, Monkstown, 01-2843576, www.purtykitchen.com. Nicoline Greer
OVER AUDE:
The medieval walled city of Carcassonne, with its mighty towers stretching high above the river Aude, is an awesome sight for the first-time visitor. Once the greatest fortress in Europe, and a border stronghold between France and Spain, it was restored in the 19th century by Viollet le Duc and now receives some 200,000 tourists a year. Situated right in its heart is the four-star Hotel de la Cité, which occupies the former episcopal palace. It was built in 1909, right under the town's massive walls, with spectacular views across to the Pyrenees in the south and the Black Mountains to the north. Beside it is the Saint Nazaire Basilica, whose great rose windows are illuminated by the rising and setting sun. Once owned by the founder of the French fashion company, Chipie, the hotel was purchased by Orient Express in 1997, and transformed into the luxury establishment it is today. With Ryanair running direct Dublin-Carcassonne flights from next weekend, this lovely old French city and its beautiful environs would make a perfect spring weekend break. www.hoteldelacite.orient-express.com. Deirdre McQuillan
RESCUE A DONKEY:
Support a good cause and enjoy a family day out at the Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll, Co Cork. The sanctuary rescues ill-treated donkeys and provides them with a good home. Some of these lovable animals have experienced appalling cruelty, but you can contribute to their new lives by adopting one for €15 a month. The sanctuary also provides courses in donkey care for animal owners, and monitors the health of donkeys everywhere. A fostering scheme is in place for healthy beasts that would benefit from life outside the sanctuary. Admission and parking are free. Open 9am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, and 10am-5pm at weekends. More details from 022-48398 or www.thedonkeysanctuary.ie. Anna Carey
GRANNY LIT:
After being ignored for the past couple of decades, genteel grandmother's favourites Dorothy L Sayers and Georgette Heyer are being reprinted and relaunched in stylish new editions. And about time too. Heyer's sassy heroines are as independent as a lady could be in Regency England, and today's chicklit characters could learn a lot from their wit and self-possession. Her heroes aren't too bad either, but if you're looking for the perfect literary gentleman, it's got to be Dorothy L. Sayers's aristocratic sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey.
Recently voted one of the sexiest fictional characters of all time by BBC's Woman's Hour, the witty, dashing Lord Peter finds his perfect match in a very modern young lady - the mystery writer Harriet Vane. Sit back (in your most ladylike outfit, of course) with a nice cup of tea and enjoy. Anna Carey
SUMMER HUMMERS:
Bees - appearing now in a garden near you - have more personality than you might think. They're not just mindlessly droning away inside those hives, but communicating about where the best nectar is to be found and delivering samples to one another. Beekeeper Ethel Irvine will explain this, and more, at her beekeeping course at the Organic Centre in Leitrim at the end of the month. Fresh honey from the honeycomb is seriously summery and by keeping bees, you'll also encourage the spread of pretty flowers in your garden. The course takes place on April 30th, but places must be booked in advance with The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co Leitrim, 071-9854338, www.theorganiccentre.ie. Nicoline Greer
QUEEN BEE:
And speaking of bees, kind of . . . If you're hopelessly addicted to buying accessories, Queen Bee Creations makes bags, wallets and purses so covetable it's almost impossible to look at their products without running off to make a purchase. Based in Portland, Oregon, Queen Bee is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Rebecca Pearcy, whose designs of flowers, birds and leaves are both simple and charming. Each item is handmade from easily cleaned vinyl, and every design is available in a wide variety of colour, from pale pastels to warm reds and browns. The quality is excellent. Although they're pretty, they're also sturdy (my Queen Bee bags and wallet have been serving me well for more than two years now). Start your collection at www.buyolympia.com/queenbee. Anna Carey
IT'S HIP TO BE SQUARE:
It is a sign of these tiger times that picture framers have never been busier. Finding someone who will frame a photo, or piece of art the way you want it - and at a reasonable price - can be tricky. Baggot Framing does just that. Gerry Doyle (above) and his wife Linda know what they are doing and will give sound advice. They don't stock any ready-made frames - every one is custom made and there are over 200 permutations to choose from. Baggot Framing, 01-6606063, 13 Eastmoreland Place, Dublin 4. Nicoline Greer