Lakeside dining

I hope our readers don't develop the view that we simply spend our vacation time eating, but you know how it is. You've barbecued your own steaks and chickens, you've lovingly prepared garlic and butter coated shrimp served with a hot rice and accompanied by a salad, the hot chilli you cooked has made you a legend in your own lifetime.

You decide to pop out for a quiet chilled beer and before you know it, some pretty, sassy waitress has plonked a menu down in front of you and with a wink and a smile, announces "I'll be right back to take your order sir".... Gets me everytime.

Farlows on the Water in Englewood is great for a late lunch. The lake borders the restaurant on three sides and it has pretty gardens and even outdoor dining if you wish. A chicken piccato, garlic mashed potatoes and two chilled beers later, we're off on our travels again.

They also have superb evening menu and offer live music three or four times a week. We often pass this restaurant and its car park is usually packed, and I mean packed. Probably why it's been voted a number one restaurant in the area for a number of years running.

We dined here once on St Patrick's Day some years back - everything was green - the beer, the wine, the steaks, the desserts..... and interesting experience in more ways than one!