Dolphin Address 17
November 31th 2007
A few years ago I described jelly-fish as twilight lamps, that, although you had to slalom between them, had so much character that you almost missed them when they were gone.
This summer we were totally spared from the jelly misery at White Strand. Until a few days ago. I can still hear myself thinking: ’Now look as those pretty little jellyfishes, just like these small, cute fungi that you see on lawns in the autumn.’
But this did not last long. I may be nearly entirely wrapped in neoprene, but my cheeks and chin are not. It felt as if all of a sudden my chin was set ablaze. It startled me into standstill. Then I instantaneously made back to the shore, but then masses of this vermin where floating on the route I had just taken. You have a heartfelt desire to be able to walk on water.
Ute, who is still swimming in shorties got stung on both arms and legs. The usually so pretty bay with all its dolphin surprises had changed into a regular jelly hell. But what can you do?
This morning Willem told me that the weather forecast had predicted waves of 14 metres. Just imagine fourteen metres!!!
The first thing that came to my mind was to get away from the meadow. At extremely high tide, like 6 metres, the ocean rises to about a metre below meadow level. And this I find scary enough to park the bus behind the shop. Next was the question: ‘can I drive up ‘funny lane?’, as this had become very slippery by the heavy rains. Then I realised I also better evacuate my kitchen hole as well: the gas bottle with my cooker and a few pots and of course the whistling kettle Bridie had given me.
Slowly something started tossing and turning: fourteen metres high, where would this be most spectacular?
The safest of course was from the cliffs of Mohèr, as these are 200 metre above sea level. At Akeen, where I made beautiful and impressive storm photos last autumn, there is a block of rock, about 3 metres high. That gave me shelter against the spray. But FOURTEEN meter!
This evening I have eaten at O’Connors in Doolin and parked the bus on top of the cliffs before those of Mohèr. Here I will sleep tonight. I have a great view over Doolin, the harbour, Crab Island and the ocean. If only now their promise may come true as the Irish love revving things up.
This is going to be very spectacular. Suddenly another insight to be merry about reveals itself. Maybe this also delivers us from the jelly hell.
To be continued
Jan Ploeg, Doolin, November 31st 2007
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