Diana Nyad in Key West

On Saturday, the city of Key West held a reception to honor the 10 year anniversary of the momentous feat by Diana Nyad - swimming approx 60 hours straight, 110 miles between Cuba and Florida, landing on the beach of Key West.

I met her! I cannot pick a favourite photo so you get all 4 below.

I took a photo of these two kayaks which were part of her support team along with the big boat where most  of the team were.  At the time I took the photo I did not realise the significance until I saw the film the next day:  these two kayaks each had an electric current on them, forming the electric shield which deterred sharks.

Next day, Sunday, after a morning of fishing with Joe, Dave and Patrick I went to the 3pm showing of the movie: Nyad.  I cannot recommend it enough.  Inspirational. Motivational.  Also, a wonderful film about friendship and support. Go see this film!!!

After the movie, I went and met Patrick for dinner in Half Shell Raw Bar where I told him my ambition that I could do the Key West 12 mile "Swim Around the Island" before I am 50 years of age (just over 4 years away...)

In no particular order...

In no particular order here are some of the things I have been getting up to lately!

Good news! I finally got into the swimming pool!  

I am a cold person, simple as. I just can't do "cool" water, and finally the water hit a temperature that I can do...more than can just do...adore...it is absolutely perfect.  Not too hot, not too cold, refreshingly perfect.  And fun! It feels like I am on holidays every time I jump in!

I ate a corn dog for the first time in my life.  It's disgusting and amazing in equal measures. It's a hot dog (savoury) covered in what tastes like pancake or donut batter (sweet).  I will never eat one again as I am afraid I would then have to eat one every day of my life forever more. 

As you can see from the tv I am also watching a lot of ice hockey.  It's Stanley Cup playoff season.

I met up with friends in La Te Da

I ate out on my own.  I had dinner in Bagatelle which I loved.  It has a vintage old Bahamian feel to it and the food was second to none.  It was nice having time to myself and it reminded me of my time living in Dublin city.

Around my neck is a coin from the Atocha (Spanish treasure galleon) which was shipwrecked and went down in 1622 off the coast of the Florida Keys.  It was located, and salvaged by Mel Fisher in 1985.

I attended a beautiful food and wine pairing in The Roost, food by the incredibly talented Martha Hubbard of Isle Cook.

I attended the opening of a wonderful art exhibition at the Custom House Museum.  A show showcasing the wide range of Richard Peter Matson's exemplary talent - ranging from his oil paintings of houses, to his beautiful portraits, to his ads of the 1960s' during his career in New York city working for J Walter Thompson to his 1980's tongue in cheek greeting cards to his intricate decorative eggs.  It reminded me how much I miss all the art stuff that I had got used to being surrounded with while being part of that world with Irish artist Pigsy 

While at the Custom House museum I couldn't not stop by the Diana Nyad exhibit - a reminder to "Never Ever Give Up"

Diana Nyad

A little blog post to celebrate the achievement of Diana Nyad!

The Metro Herald (free Irish daily) the morning after her achievement.

Seriously how great is this woman - 110 miles at any age, but 110 miles at age 64 is just amazing.

 110 miles is obviously an incredibly huge physical challenge, but throw in the mental challenge of trying to complete something that you have failed at 4 times previously.  Truly inspirational.

Never ever give up!

To quote the great lady herself, this is what she had to say after her heroic and historic swim:

"I got 3 messages: 1 is we should #NeverEverGiveUp , 2 is #NeverTooOld to chase dreams , 3 is #NeverASolitarySport it's a team."

There is a Superb video of her coming ashore on youtube.