Thanks Raymond, well spotted on the telegraph poles, I hadn't even noticed their presence. The Lake is Lough Tay, and the area you see forms part of the Iveagh family (the owners of Guinness until recently), the sand was specially imported to make a beach. Though you don't see the effect in this photo as it was sucha bright day with a really blue sky, the waters are usually dark brown/black so that when you walk in the surrounding hills the lake actually resembles a huge pint of Guinness. I'll post an example sometime. Not sure what you're seeing in the grass - there are some stones right near the shore, further back there's a brownish patch which is just the natural peaty soil aound the area. There's a gazebo there too for the gentry to take shelter in as they walk the estate... I am lucky to live in the heart of such a beautiful area.