Throwback to my trip to Malaga.... I spent a day in Malaga last year while visiting Costa del Sol and forgot to post some photographs. I loved the new port area with its trendy shops, restaurants and cafes. We spent a few hours just strolling around and taking in all the sunshine. Look at those blue skies. This was October last year. My Dad wanted to go on holidays after being diagnosed with cancer. He had such a positive outlook on life and enjoyed the simple things in life. While I enjoy the simple things I'd love to be so positive. We booked this last minute trip to Spain for him. We all thoroughly enjoyed the few days together and he was in great form. He then had a major operation at the end of the year and was recovering very well but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. This trip to Spain was our last holiday together. From now on, he will be with us in spirit. So these photos and that last trip to Spain together will always hold a special place in my heart.

I haven't visited very much of Spain, having concentrated my holidays in France, Italy and along the Adriatic coast over the past few weeks. Two years ago I visited Barcelona and loved it. I hadn't gone abroad this year and was in need of some heat and sunshine so booked a last minute trip to the Costa del Sol. I was pleasantly surprised with this part of Spain. Transport was so easy and inexpensive. We spent a day exploring the beautiful city of Malaga and Muelle Uno with splendid views of the port. The sun shone every day and the heat did me the world of good. I love the heat so this holiday suited me with temperatures ranging from 23-26 degrees compared to 11 degrees here at home in Ireland. We also visited Gibraltar for a day and spent the rest of the time relaxing and exploring the coastline between Benalmadena to Torremolinos. In total we spent 5 nights away and it was just perfect!

Once May comes the garden really starts to brighten up.This year I have planted Lupins, Antirrhinum (Snapdragon), Nemesia, Kniphofia (Redhot Poker), Pansies and Dahlias. Now all I have to do is wait for them to bloom. It is raining today after days of heat and sunshine so they should really take off now. In the meantime I am enjoying some photos I took of various gardens I visited. Hope you enjoy them too.

Magnolia Trees are so pretty when they are in bloom

What a beautiful weekend we just had and to make it even better I took an extra day off work. We have had no rain in a few weeks now and it is great. Below are some photographs from our recent visit to Belvedere House and Gardens outside Mullingar in County Westmeath. The walled garden is my favourite. You can also explore the house itself. While it was busy when we visited most people were relaxing along the lake shore. We have lovely scenery and lakes everywhere at home so when I get away I enjoy exploring gardens and architecture.

I'm sad to say that my holidays for this year are well and truly over. We had a fantastic week and now we are back to rain here in Ireland. The weather was amazing on holidays. We visited four countries- Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey. I have already posted some photographs from Venice. Below is the beautiful island of Santorini. We have visited four of the Greek Islands now and they are all unique in their own way. Santorini was no exception with its gorgeous small white buildings juxtaposed against its azure skies. Hope you enjoy them... 

I got totally fed up with the Irish weather this week so I went and booked a holiday... Both myself and my husband feel we both need a nice break and some sunshine so we're heading back to the beautiful city of Venice again, then on to Croatia, Greece and Turkey... I love exploring new places and while I have been to Venice before we will have two days there now and then on to lots of new locations.... Below are a selection of my photographs from my trip to Venice two years ago.. #exciting #holidays