ANYONE visiting our off-shore islands, such as the Skelligs or the Blaskets, will surely be enthralled by not only what’s happening on the water, but above their heads.

AS trees slowly don their autumn coats of brown, russet and golden hues, it’s a delightful time to walk in the woods and forests. And, as an added bonus, such an experience may also be good for our health. 

SINCE the EU introduced regulations leading to a huge reduction of sheep on the hills we’ve been hearing complaints about uncontrolled vegetation that can result in fires that sometimes get out of control. At certain times of the year, farmers set fires to burn off scrub to allow fresh grass grow.

WHY is it so many people automatically squirm at the sight of insects and bugs, most of which are utterly harmless and are living closer to us than we think? I’ve seen normally fearless, grown men recoil on seeing a cockroach crossing a kitchen floor or a spider weaving its web.

WE’RE well into the blackberry season and the warm weather has helped the growth and ripening of this popular fruit all around the country — one of the best years in recent times.

AMONG the unusual visitors brought by fine weather to our shores is the Clouded Yellow butterfly.

THERE’S a lot of talk about the possibilities reintroduced golden and white-tailed eagles create for attracting tourists to the west coast, but what about animals that have been here thousands of years?

ISN’T it ironic that in a world that’s becoming truly ’’global’’ because of the communications revolution, at the same time interest in what’s local seems to be intensifying.

A BRILLIANT summer to date will reach a high point this bank holiday weekend with tens of thousands of people on holidays, and those not on holidays taking to the outdoors to enjoy beaches, forests, parks, mountains and lakes.

THAT jovial, time-honoured phrase, "one for the road", could be given an entirely new meaning if scientists working on by-products from whiskey-making have their way.