We used to be able to see Nelson’s famous lighthouse on the Boulder Bank from the whole length of our verandah. Then the neighbour added a top story. So now we have to look at it from our bedroom window, or the top of our steps. Still, one can never own a view.
Anyway, that became important on Saturday night, when the lighthouse was lit once more. It had been de-commissioned thirty years ago but, funded by Port Nelson and a local glass company, now a new light has been installed. It won’t help ships much, as it points back to shore (so we can see it).
This shot was taken not long after it was turned on, exactly 150 years after it was first lit up. My tripod was stuck on a precarious angle, but the result was OK.
Later that evening, after the Chiefs had slaughtered the South African Sharks rugby team in the Super 15 Final and an hour before a couple of anticipated rowing gold medals at the Olympics, we walked along to the end of our street to get a better look. I took my camera and tripod and fluffed around a bit getting it all set up.
Just as I looked through the viewfinder to finally take a shot, it disappeared! Much to my annoyance it had turned itself off. So now we know that it only shines for a few hours.
It looks pretty good at dawn too, as shown in an earlier post and in this shot, from the seaward side looking back towards our house:
You can read all about the full story in the Nelson Mail, here.