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[NSC] Lighthouses.



Albion my Albion

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Feb 6, 2016
19,576
Indiana, USA
About 16 years ago we stayed at the lighthouse keepers cottages at Ardnamurchan. Amazing place. The most westerly point of mainland Britain.

Does it make you feel close to North America? Kind of similar to the way the former governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, is close to Russia.
 




Bodian

Well-known member
May 3, 2012
14,074
Cumbria
I spent a few weeks during different summers in the old Coastguard Cottages on Ynys Llandwynn looking after the nesting bird sites, and resurfacing the cockleshell path up to the lighthouse / tower (not sure it has a light actually!). Wonderful. Completely cut off when the tide is in, and isolated at night, except for the odd boat mooring up on the beach. Driftwood fire, a camping stove, and chemical loo. What's not to like?

 


The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
26,048
West is BEST
I spent a few weeks during different summers in the old Coastguard Cottages on Ynys Llandwynn looking after the nesting bird sites, and resurfacing the cockleshell path up to the lighthouse. Wonderful. Completely cut off when the tide is in, and isolated at night, except for the odd boat mooring up on the beach. Driftwood fire, a camping stove, and chemical loo. What's not to like?

Amazing.

Do you miss it?
 


Bodian

Well-known member
May 3, 2012
14,074
Cumbria
Amazing.

Do you miss it?
I really miss that way of life. I spent years volunteering on conservation type projects, or working for very low pay out and about - often on stunning sites and staying in fairly run down, but characterful and atmospheric accommodation. Of course, it's difficult to maintain that physically - but sat in my loft typing reports and responding / helping others who are now doing what I used to do isn't the same. Not even vicariously.

But then if I had carried on the way I was, I wouldn't have a house and warmth and all that sort of stuff.

All the compromises of life!
 


The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
26,048
West is BEST
I really miss that way of life. I spent years volunteering on conservation type projects, or working for very low pay out and about - often on stunning sites and staying in fairly run down, but characterful and atmospheric accommodation. Of course, it's difficult to maintain that physically - but sat in my loft typing reports and responding / helping others who are now doing what I used to do isn't the same. Not even vicariously.

But then if I had carried on the way I was, I wouldn't have a house and warmth and all that sort of stuff.

All the compromises of life!
Indeed!

Lovely to have experienced though. Very nice way of life for a time I would think.
 




Blinkers

Active member
NSC Patron
Jul 8, 2020
217
This has appeared in my FB feed a couple of times over the last few days 🤷‍♂️
IMG_1078.jpeg
 




Professor Plum

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 27, 2024
534
As far as I know, It's only on a couple of days a year that the tide is sufficiently far out for this walk to be done at a relatively leisurely pace. I wouldn't want to chance it unless the walk were responsibly supervised. Not at my time of life !
It’s not uncommon for people to be stranded on the rocks and need rescuing. Sometimes the inevitable happens before they can be taken off. I too would like to explore the lighthouse but would only go with a group and led by experienced people.
 




The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
26,048
West is BEST
Do Trinty still run lighthouses or has the evolution of Sat-Navs for shipping made them all redundant?
I believe most lighthouses are now only “kept” and maintained as heritage buildings.

A result, as you say, of Sat Nav.
 


Han Solo

Well-known member
May 25, 2024
2,383
Throughout my life I've been damning myself for not being a 100 years older so that I could be a lighthouse keeper. Don't care too much about lighthouses but it seems like the perfect lifestyle.
 


Baldseagull

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2012
11,839
Crawley
Throughout my life I've been damning myself for not being a 100 years older so that I could be a lighthouse keeper. Don't care too much about lighthouses but it seems like the perfect lifestyle.
Pizza delivery would require a hefty tip though.
 






Binney on acid

Well-known member
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Nov 30, 2003
2,659
Shoreham
It’s not uncommon for people to be stranded on the rocks and need rescuing. Sometimes the inevitable happens before they can be taken off. I too would like to explore the lighthouse but would only go with a group and led by experienced people.
Check out Eastbourne rotary club. I'm sure that you've missed this year's trip. I'd recommend it, but you have to be pretty agile. It's quite treacherous.
 


wellquickwoody

Many More Voting Years
NSC Patron
Aug 10, 2007
13,876
Melbourne
Neap tides. Twice a month.

When there is a low tide, the Moon faces the Earth at a right angle to the Sun so the gravitational force of the Moon and Sun work against each other. These tides are referred to as neap tides; a low tide or one that is lower than average. A neap tide happens between two spring tides and occurs twice a month when the first and last quarter Moon appears.

(from: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/oceans/tides)
Right, both neap and spring tides have variables. Quite possible that the really low spring low tide only occurs once or twice a year. How much longer would you like to argue the toss?
 
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Professor Plum

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 27, 2024
534
Check out Eastbourne rotary club. I'm sure that you've missed this year's trip. I'd recommend it, but you have to be pretty agile. It's quite treacherous.
I'll pass on the acid, and might fare better. Would probably limit myself to just a few pints beforehand for a bit of Dutch courage.
 


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