Today was amazing sometimes I really just feel like I am LIVING and what a cool adventure I’m on. Started my crossing across Dingle Bay and was a little disoriented at first because I could see the other side and was reminded just how far away it was. Once I put myself on a bearing and put a memorable playlist on, I started shooting across and what a cool day for weather. A fair amount of swell and wind that was just in my comfort zone so that I wasn’t concentrating the whole time but that gave me some good fun. I felt totally empowered and felt quite a difference in confidence from the first crossing around mizen, now to this one. I just shot across myself and felt great. This is where the intentional choice of starting in Dublin kicks in because I’ve been able to build up stamina and comfortability on the way down, especially after working this winter and having taken a break from training, it’s given me the chance to work up to these bits.
After the crossing it absolutely poured for 10 minutes then was immediately blue sky and beautiful sun for the rest of the evening. A classic Irish summer event of weather. The sun meant I was able to dry out my tent and other things because I’ve been a bit wet the last couple days of rain. A lovely 2 families on holiday and of lots of kids came down to the beach and chatted with me for a while, the young girls of maybe 7-8 were so excited I was doing this and that I was from America. They even took a picture with me while they held my paddle for their scrapbook. They offered me a lift to dingle after I asked about the bus so it was just wonderful to walk around and see the iconic town, as well as got a hearty beef and mashed potatoes meal and a couple pints between the pubs with music. Great music all around, it’s what this town is known for. Just amazing talent and voices. Met the lads at the last pub and had one more before going back and they drove me down to the beach, close to where they are staying. Just such a wholesome day.
