New moon and eight tandem kayaks on Castlehaven Bay are ingredients for an absolutely magical experience! We checked into our lodgings in Bantry and did another picnic style supper. As evening drew upon us we set out for our midnight adventure. At Reen Pier we met Declan and Guido of Atlantic Sea Kayaking and suited up. Soon we’d gotten instructions for basic kayaking were launched in our respective boats for our paddle on a perfect starlit night a sheltered bay on Ireland’s southern coast much like this video of night kayaking on nearby Lough Hyne. At times we would raft together and listen to Declan talk of the history of Castletownshend as we stared up at the historic stained glass windows in the church or about the science of the incredible bioluminescence we saw with each dip of our paddles. Before the evening was finished Declan did admit that the lights underwater were in fact the result of the fairy dust that Guido sprinkled on the water just before we headed out!
Off the beaten path is Hampstead is the more than three hundred year old Burgh House with a fascinating history. It’s now a community center, local museum, gallery, concert venue, event space, and more open to the public four days a week. We popped over for a bite to eat and to peruse the galleries to learn a little more about Hampstead history.
Ever since its debut on Broadway the two of us have wanted to see “Wicked the Musical”. Today we realized that dream. In the Apollo Victoria Theater in London’s West End we were witness to the incredible prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the story of the Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Declan and Guido ???!!!!??? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaa……….