A couple of weeks ago the local Nelson Camera Club hosted visitors from other clubs from the West Coast to Marlborough. There was an early morning field trip, to Nelson’s Boulder Bank and the Lighthouse:
We travelled over on the Haulashore Island Ferry, while it was still dark.
(Yes, that picture was taken on the return journey). The morning was cold and clear, fresh snow on the hills to the south and west.
The lighthouse was one of New Zealand’s first, starting up in 1862. There’s an excellent account of its history plus some early photographs here. It was surrounded by some substantial buildings, one for the lighthouse keeper and family and another for the assistant keeper. While these have since been removed, traces of their gardens still remain:
The lighthouse had been unlocked for us, so brave souls could climb up to the top.
The view from the top was worth the effort:
A memorable morning, visually:
and for another reason. See my next post (in a few days) for an example of truly excellent customer service by the owner of the Haulashore Island Ferry.
I’m writing an article on the optics of New Zealand lighthouses for the magazine of the Black Country Society in Britain. The maker of the optics for the Nelson lighthouse was Chance Brothers in Smethwick, my home town.
You have a wonderful photograph of the lens. Would it be possible for me to reproduce it in my article and, if so, could you let me know to whom credit should be given?