Today is exactly ten years ago that Dolphin Address was put on the internet for the very first time although then it was published under the auspices of 'Irish Dolphins'. This famous website, originally dedicated to Fungi in Dingle was founded by Keith Buchanan and Graham Timmins. It is still online, but for some years now no updates have been added, mainly because Fungi does not interact with swimmers anymore like he used to do. For this we can spank the commercial skippers who at times ruthlessly drove their boats between swimmers and the dolphin and powerboat gumbeens who find their one-tracked illumination in Fungi by racing their dinghies in vicious circles. They ought to shame their heart out and burn fat in the water instead of oil upon it. Such a poor substitute for benevolence Fungi bestowed upon dedicated swimmers! Hence my deep-rooted disgust with people who commit similar atrocities to Dusty's compassion.
In fact it was commercial and selfish greed that turned the magic of Dingle into another ordinary tourist trap. In the winter of 2000/1 biologist Simon Berrow, founder of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, circulated an appeal in which he wondered if a solitary dolphin that hung out in the vicinity of Doolin could be persuaded to move to a safer location. That was Dusty and at that time she swum at 'The Jump', a cove in between high rocks close to the infamous Cliffs of Moher and a tad perilous.
In view of the pleasure Fungi usually showed for my wing and fin swimming, I thought I saw a chance to enthrall Dusty. But when I arrived, Dusty herself had already decided to move to Fanore.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Dolphin Address, here is the very first (Irish Dolphins) Edition:
Monofins and Waterwings
This morning I walked down to an ocean that looked as though it had just been ironed. Roxanna maintained later that Dusty arrived at the same time at the beach. But when I arrived at the water she was not in sight although I went in anyway. I made a few dives for some of the many huge spider crabs trotting along, but still she did not show. I got a small rock from the seabed and drummed the same rhythm of yesterday evening on my waterwing. Within half a minute she shot by. The first ten minutes she continued to either shoot by or swim around me in fast circles.
Then I started reaching out my hand and she came almost right away, nearly touching. She prodded her beak gently against my waterwing in a way as if she wanted to push it, but I wasn't too sure I 'd get it back so I didn't let go. Next time I'll take one along I could miss. Also she touched my monofin a lot, but in a different, undemanding way. Like last year she was definitely interested in my genital area. At times she swam off for a minute at the most. When I did not pay attention to her, she came swimming very close under me, almost touching or strolled along at my side at the same pace.
When I dived down or made energetic movements she would move faster and go farther away. When I'd move towards the shore she gently cut across my track one or two times. I had the feeling she was pretty curious and mildly playful. She was not taking a lot of initiatives, but eagerly responded to mine.
On the beach there were two German families. Dusty swam with me when I left the water and Simone very bravely went in, in mere underclothes. She was extensively rewarded with Dusty's attention, who stayed in knee-deep water for quite some time so other members of the two families could have a touch and stroke. In the shallows Dusty did two surprising things. First she insisted on swimming through my legs twice. Then she was prodding her beak against my feet quite firmly a number of times. I had the feeling she was wandering about the transition from fin to feet. Finally, not that I minded though and just for the record, she did shit twice quite near to my face.
This was a grand experience, richer than any of my swims with her last year. I think this is also an equipment thing as I feel reborn in my super new 5-4-3 wetsuit, with only two kilo's on my belt.
After towels Simone promised that of the many digital photographs she made she would put a selection on a floppy disc that I am to receive tomorrow.
Be keeping in dolphin touch, Jan
Jan Ploeg, may 11, 2002
As for the name 'Dolphin Address': though I shared locations with Dusty for eight years in the past decade, this name was not meant as a physical address. It pertains to the verb 'to address'. I addressed the dolphin on her own terms and likewise was addressed by her. This communication forms the essence of my website. And, in a jocular sense, it can be read as 'Dolphin, a dress' as a reference to my dolphin attire, with monofin, waterwing and dorsal fin.
Dolphin Address was built and maintained by Peter Smeets before he and his wife, Sofie Graas, began the successful fish oil and food supplement company 'Visolieplein'. You can ask me manything about dolphins, but for the purest fish oil go to Smeets en Graas, www.visolieplein.nl
The letters of the Dolphin Address heading were cut from a photo of the bottom of a rock pool by my webmistress Carola. For many years, she also maintained and supported my website. She still does, but now has built a Content Management System that allows me to put the editions online myself. If anyone has earned the title of Digital Dolphin it has to be Carola!
The above Dolphin Address (aka Irish Dolphin) you can find back by clicking on 'English' in the heading of the homepage. Then you get to see the year-by-year list of editions. Click on one of these and you'll get introductions that encourage you to 'read on'.
I have tried to select the most beautiful photos of Dusty for this jubilee edition. Not an easy McJob as none is as gorgeous as the original.
Perhaps this Dolphin Address oldie will entice you to delve through the archives some more. I hope you'll enjoy the time travel.