This weekend, my friends and I are heading off to Galway on a camping trip. I don’t think we are in danger of giving Bear Grylls a run for his money. On our first trip into the wilds last summer, we all needed a nap after the exertion of erecting our newly purchased, four-man tent, and we spent most of the evening huddled around a disposable barbecue, trying to shelter a few lonely sausages from the rain, as veteran campers threw us disparaging glances.

We probably would have been faster cooking them over a tea-light. When we finally did get them to sizzle, you’d swear we had just discovered fire, such was our excitement. But, of course, they were the best sausages we ever tasted (or so we assured ourselves, as we said silent novenas that we wouldn’t suffer food poisoning as a result). This weekend, I might bring a few cheese sandwiches with me, just in case.

We’ve really been trying to make the most of the summer and have had some wonderful days out. After many years, I finally made it to Skellig Michael, while another first for me was the Gap of Dunloe day trip, with a boat across the Lakes of Killarney to Lord Brandon’s cottage, followed by a bike ride through the famous Gap.

Another discovery – though this time for work – was Glebe Gardens in beautiful Baltimore, this week’s cover story (page 4). It’s amazing what the Perry family has achieved there through passion. Though as Jean Perry points out, “living the dream” usually means 5am starts. I was so impressed that I returned with friends a few weeks later to watch the West Cork Ukulele Orchestra play in their outdoor amphitheatre – it really was a magical day. We are so spoiled in Ireland with beautiful places like Glebe Gardens, thanks to dreamers and, more importantly, doers like the Perry family. I hope you enjoy reading about Glebe Gardens as much as I enjoyed visiting it.

On the subject of things to do, in this week’s edition of Irish Country Living, Mary Phelan profiles some of the many events taking place nationwide as part of Heritage Week (page 8). Meanwhile, Aisling Hussey reports on new figures in relation to penalty points (page 6), Money Mentor Peter Young is on hand to answer more of your queries on PRSI (page 12), and food writer Nessa Robins returns for the second instalment of her Home Nurse series with some coeliac-friendly treats – I’m definitely going to try those chocolate brownies (page 14).

Now that the CAO results are out, we are also well into debs season, and Klara Heron and Ruth Fennell have styles to suit all figures in our fashion spread (page 10). Though if you want a laugh, I recommend you visit our blog this week as some of the Irish Country Living girls will be sharing their debs memories and, more importantly, pictures of the all-important gúnas. Be kind.