Friday, April 15, 2011

White like a swan...

From the foghorn we made our way back to the lighthouse.
It is now fully automatic and solar powered.
Unlike some lighthouses, it still has a proper lens system. This rotate continuously, even during day time, for increased reliability.
The lighthouse itself is immaculately maintained with gleaming whitewash...
...but sadly, the former keeper's cottages have fallen into disrepair after the NLB sold them to someone who wanted to develop them into holiday cottages but abandoned the project. Vandals have broken into the buildings.
The lighthouse keeper's books and notebooks are still lying where they left them. This hand written note has survived being used to light a fire:

"Be like a swan - calm and serene on the top - and paddling crazy down below!"