Rain & Shine

Inside track: Sunglasses are largely seen as a fashion accessory, but they are also an essential defence against the sun.

Wrap-around glasses normally offer the best protection, but be careful of overly dark lenses, as too much contrast will make any sunlight that gets in at the side feel 10 times brighter, and it could damage your eyes. The best way to make sure you are buying glasses of a high standard is to ask for them to be checked under the store's UV meter. Kevin Matthews, Specsavers, Galway

 Cool for kids: Red admirals and cabbage whites are all very well, but how about seeing hundreds of tropical butterflies in their natural habitat? And if you get to Dublin Butterfly House and Insect World, in Swords, north Co Dublin, early you might spot young butterflies emerging from their chrysalises. Insect World is home to a tarantula called Bert, a bird-eating spider and other tropical arachnids. Tours run six days a week (final visit 4 p.m.); admission €5/€2.50, family €12.50. Call 01-8401285. Louise Holden

 Watch out: The most sketchable, paintable plant at the back of a summer strand has to be sea holly, marvellously sculptural and spiky, its foliage and flower heads tinted electric blue. Despite the spiny leaves it isn't a thistle or even a cactus. A tough skin protects it against drying winds and salt spray, and the plants are anchored by fleshy roots that can go down three metres in search of water. For centuries, in England, these were candied and sold as sweetmeats. They were regarded as a herbal precursor of Viagra. Michael Viney

Stars and gripes

Louis Walsh, pop manager/Best holiday When I went to Miami. I'd been there before, but I really liked it, so much so I bought an apartment. I loved the vibe, the architecture, the weather, the people and the fact that everyone understands English. I go every Christmas. There are a lot of posers, but you can get away from them.

Worst holiday: Probably in the Canaries. I used to go years ago: I thought there was nowhere else. There were the lager louts from England and Germany. They ruined it all: no matter where you went there were people getting drunk, people getting sick and loud music. - in conversation with Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

Off the shelf

Forever Summer by Nigella Lawson, Chatto & Windus, £20 in UK

It doesn't matter what the weather is doing outside: Lawson's recipes will transport you to the tavernas of Greece, the hills of Tuscany, the beaches of Kerala or even the gardens of England. Who can resist reading about - and occasionally even cooking - Mauritian prawn cocktail, Moroccan lamb, linguine alle vongole or white chocolate ice cream with hot blackberry sauce on a cold and rainy August day? Not me. Sarah Marriott

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