Cleansheets recipe sheets have brought me to a few rural towns recently and I have been pleasantly surprised by each of them for different reasons.
the Early Bird Cafe in Bandon, Co.Cork at 85 South Main Street Phone; 023 20465 is a bright airy cafe. Comfortable chairs, an area to sit outside (at the back, not on the pavement) and thoughtful features like newspapers and best of all a box of toys... I kid you not. A box of toys to buy you an extra few minutes to finish your coffee in peace. There is space to bring a buggy in and out comfortably so it's a winner with our team. Everything else you would expect in a modern Italian style cafe appears of good quality, I can vouch personally for the coffee and scones.
Objekt in Newcastlewest Co.Limerick, has some very funky furniture but don't dimiss it as a big budget item haven only, there are lots of quirky gifts to be found among the inspirational furniture. Candles in colours good enough to eat, frames that are worth seeking out great photos for, candy coloured kids cutlery and the jewel coloured plastic butter dishes pictured above (€17.95), an orange one now graces my Mum's kitchen.
Elizabelle in Listowel, Co. Kerry where I bought these lovely hooks, have got some of their Christmas decorations in and I was really impressed and unable to resist hearts made from read berries threaded on wire, they would fit in with any decorating theme and are just the right combination of natural and whimsy, that would not look out of place throughout the winter in any home.
So as the festive season approaches consider a trip off the beaten christmas shopping track and find something a little different, with cheaper parking, less traffic - both human and vehicular it'll be good for you and good for the town you visit!
Have you a little treasure chest near you that always offers something different or do you own a treaure chest store? Post a comment, I'd love to hear about it.
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