Once Upon A Time In Clare.

Chapter Two

Sidney had been in Ireland for the best part of a week. He had travelled there with his friend Charles Babbington to source properties for their property investment company. They had focused their search on the west coast including Kerry, Cork and finally Clare. This was their first visit to Ireland and they were enjoying their stay so far. The weather had been in their favour with the sun shining and  little rain. It had been warm too with temperatures in the mid twenties.

The beauty of the places they had visited had their beauty enhanced by the sun's warm benevolence. They had visited the lovely towns of West Cork and the towns along the the scenic Ring of Kerry.  They had stayed in a number of lovely hotels during the week, the highlight being the five star Parknasilla Hotel in Sneem. The hotel was built overlooking the sea. A beautiful outdoor pool was available to guests where you could really appreciate the scenery with the waves  of the Atlantic crashing below you. They had eaten some delicious Irish food including some unforgettable fish dishes in Killarney.

Charles had hired a rental car for their stay and he had particularly enjoying driving the rugged but beautiful Ring of Kerry. The wandering roads peopled by sheep were so different to the crowded traffic dense streets of Central London.  Sidney had driven for the West Cork leg of their trip where they stayed in Glengarriff, Clonakilty and Bantry. The highlight of the trip for Sidney was their ferry trip to Garnish Ireland where seals could be seen sunbathing on the rocks in Bantry Bay.

The island featured an Italianate garden with Mediterranean plants which thrive due to the microclimate. Garnish Island was fortunate to be warned by heat from the Gulf Stream. It was a unique place and one which Sidney wished he had someone he could share it with. His last relationship  ended as she had wished to be with someone less ambitious. Sidney was a man who wished to achieve much. His goal was to retire in his 55th year having earned enough to have a comfortable lifestyle. Such ambition required sacrifices such as relationships and a social life.  He was thirty now and he was well on his way to his life goal.

Such discipline often lead to pangs of loneliness as he did not have anyone to share his day with. He had family and friends of course but it wasn't the same. He did not do casual flings, he was old fashioned and preferred to be in a longterm relationship rather than dating.  He had tried casual dating but it just wasn't him.  Many of his friends were in long term relationships or married.  Some had children, perhaps he should get a pet but then again he wasn't at home much so it would be home alone all day.  He loved dogs and would love to adopt a rescue at some stage.  His bijou apartment wasn't exactly pet friendly.

Sidney had lately considered moving to the country. He was at heart a man of the country rather than the city, he was born in a seaside town where everyone knew everyone else. He was fond of the idea as he would like to be part of a community rather than a stranger in the city. His family could trace their antecedents in Sanditon to the 19th century. His ancestors had revived Sanditon from a unknown seaside town to one that rivalled Brighton. Today the town was a chic location for surfers, families and retirees following the building of a five star resort. The Parker family had opened the five star Sanditon Lodge and Spa last Spring.

His brother Arthur was the head chef with Diana his sister being the spa manager. His older brother Tom was the marketing manager and his wife Mary was the finance manager. It was  a family business and one which needed each person to work hard and be committed.  The hotel demanded long hours from the family but it was a labour of love for them. They lived and breathed the hotel.

Sanditon had recently added a surf school to its list of attractions. The school attracted many new visitors to the town. The school was opened by Edward Denham who was a renowned surfer. Edward was the member of an ancient Sanditon family. His ancestor Lady Denham had been an investor in the development of the town during the Regency era.