Pete's Non-Irish Lighthouses

Collioure Lighthouse revisited - a mystery

2011-07-23T07:05:00.000-07:00

Summer holidays spent in south west France, we revisited Collioure, which I had bagged as a lighthouse here.
As you can tell, the lighthouse in 2007 is not the lighthouse above. Basically, there is an inner harbour at the end of which there is a church with tower. If you go around the church there is an outer harbour, at the end of which is the structure above. The two 'lights' can both be seen better below.

Now the Lighthouse Directory lists the smaller light as the lighthouse, at the end of the outer harbour. Built in 1886, it is made of stone and cast iron.

So the peach-domed structure of my original post and in the picture above is not a lighthouse? Fair enough.

Except that everywhere it is referred to as Le phare (the lighthouse) Postcards all describe it as Le phare, Matisse has a famous painting (which I'm not very impressed by!) of Le phare a Collioure. Sometimes it is called a cloche / phare (bell tower / lighthouse)
The thick plottens.

Whitehouse Point, Fowey

2011-05-31T00:59:00.000-07:00

As the Lighthouse Directory says "not much of a lighthouse" This is the view we got from the harbour in Fowey, looking back up the coast towards Gribben Head. Built 1892, relocated here in 1904, but cannot find out from where!

Gribben Head Not a Lighthouse

2011-05-31T00:52:00.000-07:00

The 84 feet (26 m) high square beacon tower was erected by Trinity House in 1832 to distinguish the Gribben from Dodman Point and St Anthony’s Head, and thus make navigation into Fowey and the harbours of St Austell Bay safer. It was never lighted, but is painted in broad red and white bands as a daymark. These photos taken from Carlyon Bay across St. Austell bay.

Mevagissey Harbour Wall

2011-05-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well, Mevagissey, located about 4 miles south of St. Austell was where we stayed for the week, so every night after dinner, we'd walk down here. Driving in Meva is not for the faint-hearted - very narrow streets! - so the best thing would be to reach the point where you have to turn left and then take the pay and display car park on your left hand side. Then simply walk towards the sea.

It's located on the right hand (south) pier - despite first impressions, so walk along the harbour front to access it.

Built in 1896, guess what? Its an octagonal white tower with a black base!

The Lizard - Twin Towers

2011-05-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

The most southerly point on the British mainland is Lizard Point. Take the A3083 from Helston and keep heading south. Go through Lizard village and about half a mile on, take the road to the left (it's one way, but they don't tell you till you're at the car park on the other side) From here both the lighthouses and Lizard Point itself are easily walkable.

There was a lighthouse established here in 1619 but it wasn't popular with the locals as it reduced their income from shipwrecks! The current building was completed in 1751, and consisted of two towers, with a cottage built between them, in which an overlooker lay on a sort of couch, with a window on either side commanding a view of the lanterns. When the bellows-blowers relaxed their efforts and the fires dimmed, he would remind them of their duties by a blast from a cow horn.

The octagonal west tower (above) was put out of action in 1903 when the lantern was removed. There are visitors facilities and you can do tours of the lights but we didn't, mainly because they were a bit pricey. The East Light can apparently be seen 26 nautical miles away.

Marazion Lighthouse?

2011-05-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well, is it a lighthouse or isn't it? The lighthouse directory says there's no evidence that it was ever used as a lighthouse. Millichamp, however, calls it "A squat white painted brick hexagonal castellated tower lighthouse with a window light situated on the edge of the harbour wall at Marazion in Mounts Bay. The light is now disused."

No idea about date of construction. Situated above the harbour in Marazion to the east of the village.

Penzance South Pier

2011-05-30T11:39:00.001-07:00

Penzance Light with St. Michaels Mount in the background (above)
Okay, so drive from Newlyn along the front and eventually you'll reach the harbour area just before the terminus of the Great Western Railway.

Again, a white light with a black base (kind of like Derby County FC) which seems very popular down here. Built in 1853 it stands 31 feet high and is located on the end of the pier wall.

The first lighthouse here was a lantern which got washed away in a storm in 1817. A more substantial lighthouse was built in 1817 but only lasted till 1824 when it got washed away again by a storm. Subsequently an Argand lamp in a wooden hut was used until the present lighthouse went up.

Newlyn Harbour South Pier

2011-05-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

We drove to Newlyn, expecting the village to be clustered around the harbour but it wasn't, so we just stopped, took a couple of photos and drove onto Penzance. Located on the harbour wall, it was built in 1914.

It is described as having a red top and base and the photos support that but I swear it looked orange from where we were standing.

Longships Lighthouse

2011-05-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

Captain! The end of the world! Well here we are at Lands End, looking out at Longships Lighthouse which is located on rocks about a mile out to sea. Bit disappointed about the quality of the photos but it was a grey, hazy day.

A lighthouse was established here in 1791 apparently but because of the height of the waves, the light was apparently frequently obscured by water, so they knocked it down and built this one here in 1875. Looks like it has a helipad on top of it.

Incidentally, Wolfs Rock Lighthouse is supposed to be distantly visible from Lands End but it must have been on holidays the day we were there.

Pendeen Lighthouse

2011-05-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

Located on the north west point of the last circular nodule of Cornwall, so to speak, we got to Pendeen by taking the B3306 out of St. Ives and heading towards Lands End. Just as you come into the village of Pendeen, there is a crossroads and you turn right and drive down to the coast. It is signposted but, strangely, only from the Lands End direction! Built in 1900, the lighthouse is supposed to be one of West Cornwall's most popular tourist attractions, but there was nobody there when we visited in mid May. The surrounding area is dotted with the chimneys of dilapidated tin mines. Note the foghorns. The cottages are available for holiday rental apparently.

St. Ives Harbour Pier, New

2011-05-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

Well, it's newer, rather than new, having being built in 1890 when Smeaton's Pier was extended.

Like quite a few Cornish lighthouses, it is octagonal, painted white with a black base. Incidentally, if you ever go to St. Ives, do not eat a Cornish pastie sitting on the sea-front. You'll get mugged by the seagulls.

St. Ives Harbour Pier, Old

2011-05-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

Seems a strange location for a lighthouse, halfway along a harbour wall! Just drive down to the harbour at St. Ives (well, park at the top of the town and walk down) try and avoid the man with seven wives and you get two lighthouses for the price of one.
This is the older one, built halfway along Smeaton's Pier, at the point where the original harbour wall extended prior to 1890. It was actually built in 1830 (not by Smeaton, incidentally, who built the lighthouse now on Plymouth Hoe and deactivated in 1890 when the harbour wall was extended.

Below, the two lighthouses together on Smeaton's Pier. The old lighthouse was nearly destroyed by fire in 1996 but was restored in the late 1990s. A sign on the light warns potential divers not to jump from the balcony.

Godrevy Island, near Hayle

2011-05-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

Built in 1859 on a grassy island opposite St. Ives, the 26 metre high octagonal tower apparently inspired the author Virginia Woolf to write her famous novella, To The Lighthouse, which I haven't read because, frankly, I'm afraid of her.
The best views, for the non-energetic type, are to be had by driving to Gwithiam and turning right along the coast road. About half a mile up there is a turn for Godrevy Island on the left. Okay it doesn't actually go onto the island (obviously) but you get great views. There is an entry fee of about £3 but if you say you're just going up to take a photo, they'll refund it when you return.

St. Anthony's Light, Roseland Peninsula

2011-05-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

Situated at the eastern end of the entrance to Falmouth harbour, St. Anthony's Head was built in 1835 to warn ships away from the Manacle Rocks. There is apparaently a road (A3708) down to it, but this was taken from the little ferry that plies its trade between St. Mawes and Falmouth.

The foghorn visible behind the light in the two photos above, was added in 1954 and the white painted, stone lighthouse was automated in 1987.

Smeaton's Tower, Plymouth

2011-05-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

One of the iconic landmarks of the whole south west of England, Smeaton's Tower sits on Plymouth Hoe, where Sir Francis Drake allegedly finished his game of bowls before setting out to rout the Spanish Armada.

The lighthouse was originally built on the Eddystone reef fifteen miles south of Plymouth in 1759. Built by John Smeaton, it lasted until the early 1880s when the sea was found to be undermining the rock it was standing on. Consequently, in another remarkable feat of engineering, they dismantled three quarters of it and rebuilt it on the Hoe. The lantern above was formerly painted red.

Plymouth Breakwater Light

2011-05-25T12:27:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the hazy picture but it was a bit of a grey day when we landed in Plymouth airport for the start of a one week holiday in Cornwall.
As we were in Plymouth, we decided we'd drive down to the Hoe to see Smeaton's Tower but sadly got snarled up by a sat nav that didn't recognise one-way systems. This was therefore taken from Great Western Road near the Hoe.
This is the 1844 Plymouth Breakwater Lighthouse. The breakwater was built as Plymouth harbour had been subject to violent gales and storms and naturally a lighthouse had to be constructed to stop ships running aground. Built of Cornish granite, the light could be seen eight miles away.

Berck, France

2010-05-29T09:24:00.000-07:00

Its difficult to imagine anything more depressing than a seaside resort on a freezing cold, miserable spring afternoon. But at least it had a lighthouse. Original towers had been destroyed by the retreating Germans in 1944, but this 1951 effort appears on all the merchandise in the town's souvenir shops.
To find it, head to the front, turn left and drive as far as you can. Shortly after the road bends left, you will see it to your right at the end of a school car park.

Le Crotoy, France

2010-05-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

For a very small fishing village located on the northern entrance to the Somme estuary, it was actually quite difficult to find the front! More by luck than judgement, we found ourselves in a tight dead end and I dodged the raindrops to run to the estuary wall to see if I could look and down the front to see where it was. No sign of it all!
Then, walking back to the car, I fell over it.
Like Le Hourdel, this stood on the site of an older 1851 light. This sci-fi construction went up in 1951 after WW2.

Le Hourdel, France

2010-05-29T08:33:00.000-07:00

Okay apologies for the poor quality of this photo. This is Le Hourdel lighthouse on the south side of the Somme estuary in northern France. It was taken on a gloomy late afternoon from Le Crotoy on the northern side of the estuary, from the Le Crotoy lighthouse.
A light had stood here since 1840 but like many lighthouses along this coast, it was destroyed during WW2. Rebuilt 1848.

Castillo de San Anton, A Coruna

2010-02-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

A Coruna revisited. We were there in August 2004 for a football match and paid into this castle which contains a lighthouse. Its on the other side from the main beach and the football stadium.
Built in 1872. Camcordered on non-digital camcorder, recorded on the Hard drive of a DVD player, then played back on TV, frozen and photoed. Which kind of explains the crappy quality of the photos.

Torre de Hercules, A Coruna,

2009-12-18T05:02:00.000-08:00

Excuse the ugly sod in the foreground.
Came across this photo taken at the end of August 2004 when Shels were playing Deportivo in the Champions League.
Behind is the famous Torre de Hercules lighthouse, claimed to be the oldest lighthouse in the world, having guided ships past the north west coast of Spain since the second century or the eighth century AD whoever you believe. The tower was extensively refurbished in the 1700s and there are great views from the top, though not of A Coruna itself which lies over the brow of the hill.
THE PHAROS OF CORUNNA.
"The Pharos is situated at the extremity of the peninsula on
which the town of Corunna stands, and is of inestimable value as a
beacon to mariners ; but of still greater interest to the eye of the
traveller, is the fact of enclosing within its massive walls one of the
most interesting monuments of antiquity, the Pharos of Herculesthe
oldest existing specimen of this kind in Europe, and amongst
the very few now anywhere to be found.
L' It was in existence at the beginning of the fifth century, and
was intended originally for the same purpose as it now serves,
namely, a s&naZ for sh@s going to England !
" So advantageous was it considered, that in 1684 the Consuls
of England, Holland, and Flanders, entreated the Spanish authorities
to have the building repaired, and stated that their governments
would, at their own expense, defray the cost of keeping a light
on it.
. . " The original Pharos was a square, hollow tower, surmounted
by a rotunda~which was crowned by a large flag bearing eviclent
marks of the long-continued action of fire on its suiface. At each
of the corners there was a small square turret.
" An external winding staircase led to the top, and permitted
ingress to its internal apartments through the small apertures still
#existing in the tower.
lL A small square buttress at each corner, seems to have
supported the stair or external winding passage at the angles, and
the grooves in the masonry still show the position which such
originally occupied. We read of a similar mode of access being
,employed on the exterior of the celebrated Pharos of Alexandria.
L i The general architecture and stone work does not point to a
period older than the Romans. The masonry, composed of stones
of comparatively small size, is cemented together by a lime-concrete
similar to that employed, if not introduced, by this people. The
height :of the Tower from the base to the rotunda at the top, was 82
royal Spanish feet, and the rotunda itself was 11 more, making in
:all abo~zt 132 feet English. It was 3r feet broad on each side, and
in the interior were the walls crossing in the centre, each 4% feet
in thickness. The Tower was divided into chambers, or apartments,
by three stone floors, originally without any apertures in them, I
so that'these apartments could only be entered from without. The
outer winding stairs having been renloved (at some period long
prior to the date to which we now refer, 1797), apertures were
made in the stone floors, and ladders leading from one flight to
another, enabled persons to ascend to the top from within. The
staircase is supposed to have been pulled down to build a convent
in the neighbourhood, but the precise time of this demolition is
not known. When De Malaga wrote his description of Galicia in
1549, this staircase did not exist.
'( The origin of the original tower and its name are involved
in obscurity. Galician tradition assigns it to the workmanship of.
Hercules himself. Some characters, scarcely legible, on one of
the stones (says the writer of a Spanish document), state that it
was erected in honour of one of the Czesars.
"The early writers upon Irish history have made frequent ,
allusion to this ancient strtlcture as the Tuir Breoghan. (c)
lL The Spanish Government in 1797 had the ancient Pharos
enveloped in the present modern granite building. It is a hanclsome
square tower, built of close-grained white granite, and not
only contains within its massive walls the original Pharos, but is
made to resemble it as much as possible, and on its exterior a
projecting band of masonry exhibits the line of the original external
staircase. ((2') Giolla Meavin, an Irish poet, who lived about A.D,
(c) OFOS~UtSh,e Geographer, states that the Pl~arosw as built. by the
Tyrian Hercules. Other authorities ascribe its origin to the Phcenicians at
Bragantia. Irish writer8 called this " Watch Tower" Tur-Breoghain, or Tile
Tower of Breoghan," who was a famous warrior-king of North Spain, and
uncle of Milesius.
(a?) This Lighthouse is about 1 mile S. W. of the town of Corunna, in N.
lat. 43" 22", W. long. 8" 23' 30", vith a revolving light elevated 336 feet above
sea level, and is seen from 20 miles distance at sea. It marks the common
approach to the harbours of Corunna and Perrol, and encloses within its
massive walls the Pharos of Hercules, the oldest building of the kind in
Europe.---" Gazeteer of the World," vol. iv, p. 698.
1072, in a poem called 'The Race of Kings ;' the Annals of the
. ,
Four Masters ; and the Book of Ballymote ; make reference to the
'Pharos and to many traditions assigned to it, such as its being
built as a Watch Tower by Breogin, the' son of Braha, who is also
said to have been the founder of the City of Bragantia." So far,
Sir W. Wilde.
Haverty refers to this very ancient structure in his account of
the wanderings of the Gadelians, and of the voyage of Ith, the son
Breogan and uncle of Milesius, to Ireland. He says : " About the
time of the destruction of Troy, Brath, (e) the son of Deagath or
Deatha, and nineteenth in descent from Fenius Farsaidh, led a
fresh expedition from this last-named place (viz., Gothia, or Galatia,
or Gethulia) to 'the north of the world, to the islands ploughing
the Tarrian Sea (Mediterranean or Tyrrhenian) with his fleet.'
He passed by Creid (Crete), Sicil (Sicily), and the Columns or
Pillars of Hercules, the necplus ultra of the ancients, to Espain, the
Peninsular ; " and here he conquered a certain territory, his son,
Breogan or Bregond, succeeding him in the command. Breoghan,
or Brigus, as he is also called, was King of Galicia, Andalusia,
Murcia, Castile and Portugal-all of which he conquered. He
bzlilt Breoghan's Tower, or Bragantia in Galicia, and the City of
Brkansa or Braganza in Portugal, called after him ; and the
kingdom of Castile was then also called after him Brigia. It is
considereg that Castile itself was so called from the figure of a
.castle which Brigus bore for his arms on a banner. The city which
our wanderers built in Spain was, as we have seen, called Brigantia,
believed to be Betanzos in Gallicia, and from a ZofQ Tower, erected
on the coast by Breogan, it is said that his son, Ith, discovered
Eri, or Ireland, as far as the land of Luimnech (as the country at
the mouth of the Shannon was called), on a winter's evening. Ith
. -
was of an adveriturous spirit, and, no doubt, discovered the coast
of Ireland, not of course from the Tower of Breogan, which was
impossible, but after having sailed thither in the search of the land,
- -
(e) Brath was born in Gothia. Remembering the Druids' prediction that
c c their journeyings would not cease until they arrived at the Western Isle of
Europe," he departed with a numerous fleet from Gothia, and, after some time,
he landed on the coast of Spain, and by strong hand settled himself and his
colony in Galicia, in the north of that country.
which, according to the traditions of his race, the children of Niul
were destined to possess. df)
The foregoing account of the celebrated Pharos of Corunna,
is extremely interesting, and although of more remote antiquity, it
bears some points of reser;lzbZance to the Tower of Hooke, of which we
more immediately treat. It will be noticed that the Pharos is
considered a valuable beacon 2'0 mariners at the present day, and
was originally inJendec1 for the purpose of sewing as a signal for
sA$s ; so likewise our Irish Pharos. About the same time that the
governments of England, Holland, and Flanders, undertook the
cast of keeping a light on the Pharos of Corunna, namely, in 1684,
we find the government at home building and repairing the Lighthouses
at Howth, Island hkgee, the Head of Kinsale, and the
Tower of Hooke. The latter is also built of limestone ancl limeconcrete,
and in this bears a resemblance to the Pharos of Corunna,

Heraklion Fortress Lighthouse, Crete

2009-08-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is a quite unique lighthouse, located on the outer wall of a very impressive Venetian fortress in Heraklion harbour. Apparently, the stone tower was originally 12m high but it is now a mere half of that. The fortress is apparently 16th century but the light dates from 1864.

Running out of time, I did not have the time to pay the entrance fee and walk the fortress, so I knew I would have to content myself with a long shot. However, the nearer you get to the fortress, the less parking spaces there are and also the more the lighthouse itself is hidden by the rest of the fortress. Therefore, these pictures were taken from the car park described in the South Breakwater Light entry below.

Heraklion South Breakwater Light, Crete

2009-08-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

Another long range photo, I'm afraid, due to the lack of time (see Ag Ioannis below)
Located on the south breakwater. Taking the road from the airport, heading into town, you come to a large signalled junction, with a broad dual carriageway road heading down to the "Port" At the end of the road is the port carpark from where I took the photos.

Heraklion North Breakwater Light, Crete

2009-08-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

When is a lighthouse not a lighthouse? What is the difference between a light and a lighthouse? I presume that the answer is that if it has accommodation or a room attached, then it counts as a lighthouse.
This light is actually just visible from the airport at Heraklion. I found it by entering Heraklion at the airport turnoff, then heading parallel to the coast into the town centre, judging when the time was right to turn off to the front. Lack of time prevented me from walking the massive breakwater to the light.

Agios Ioannis, Crete

2009-08-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

Right, as you've probably already guessed, the above photo is not the Agios Ioannis light - let me explain!
We were staying in Plakias on the south coast of Crete in the Rethymnon prefecture. The rest of the party were visiting Rethymno, which I had done the year before, so I asked if I could take the car and round up a few lighthouses. I was told yes with the proviso (on account of my antisocial behaviour) that I left around the same time as everyone else and I was to be back in Plakias by around 3.30pm when the others were due back.
Consequently I left Plakias around 9.40, drove to Rethymno, then Heraklion, then headed for Agios Ioannis. Delayed through Quad Bike City aka Malia, I realised that by this stage, I would be hard pushed to do this lighthouse and the three in Heraklion.
Still I decided to press on. There seemed to be a road branching off from Neapoli heading towards Elounta, which I intended to take. However, the only signpost was for Neapoli, so I continued, thinking it must be coming up soon. It was only when I arrived in the conglomeration of Agios Nikolaos that I realised I'd missed it.
So, now seriously short of time, I ploughed north up the headland, past Elounta and gaining fabulous views of the former leper colony of Spinalonga on the way. After Elounta though, the signposting got very vague, my map didn't seem to correspond and I made several wrong turns. The trick appears to be that if the road is heading in the right direction, take it, and don't mind the signposting.
When I finally got to the last bit of headland itself, it appeared from afar that there was one road going around the base of the cliffs and one over the top. I have no idea if I chose correctly but I went for the latter. A tiny white handpainted sign marked "Ag. Iwonnios 5km" meant I left the road and onto a concrete track. This was okay for a while and gradually disimproved the further I got. Finally when I got to the area of wind turbines, I was starting to have serious concerns for the safety of my car in the huge potholes, so, way behind time, I turned around and headed back for Heraklion, finding the Neapoli road which, I estimate, saved me about an hour!
As it happened, they delayed in Rethymno, so I had another hour, which could easy have seen me walk from the wind turbines to the lighthouse and back, but I wasn't to know.
The picture below shows what I missed.

Bug Light, Duxbury Pier, Plymouth

2009-06-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

And to end with, we go back to where it all began. On our final day, we visited Plymouth, where a pretty momentous event took place nearly 400 years ago. Walking along the front, I spotted far out what appeared to be a lighthouse.
Bug Light is another sparkplug-style lighthouse, actually the oldest one in the US, having been built in 1871. It is however becoming dilapidated and needs some restoration pronto. Despite its name, it is not located on a pier.

Gay Head Light, Martha's Vineyard

2009-06-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

A very familiar lighthouse, the most famous of the five on the island. Named Gay Head by early British sailors after the brightly coloured cliffs, the light here dates from 1856, though the history of the station here goes back to the previous century. Its proximity to the cliffs may eventually spell its doom, though they may do a Highland Light and move it back from the cliff top.

Edgartown Harbour, Martha's Vineyard

2009-06-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

Expertly taken - ho hum - from the window of the coach as we enjoyed a rapidfire 500 words a minute tour of the island. Chappaquiddick lies behind the stretch of water where Ted Kennedy swam to safety in 1967.
A light was built here in 1828 but it was severely destroyed by the great hurricane of 1938. The current light was shipped here from Crane's Beach in Ipswich MA two years later.

East Chop Lighthouse, Martha's Vineyard

2009-06-10T14:26:00.000-07:00

Of course, I was looking on the wrong promontory for East Chop Lighthouse and only saw it on the way back from Oak Bluffs. Built in 1877, this light started off white but was subsequently painted brown, earning itself the monicker The Chocolate Lighthouse. It was restored to its former colour in 1988.

West Chop Lighthouse, Martha's Vineyard

2009-06-10T14:18:00.000-07:00

Again, not very sharp photographs, taken from the ferry going to Oak Bluffs. Some of the ferries go to Vineyard Haven, which is protected by the twin headlands of West Chop and East Chop, both of which sport lighthouses. The light at West Chop dates back to 1817, though this particular tower was built in 1897.

Nobska Point, Woods Hole

2009-06-10T14:14:00.001-07:00

Somewhat distant and hazy photo of this lighthouse built in 1876. If we had caught the Martha's Vineyard Ferry from Woods Hole rather than Falmouth, we would probably have been much closer.

Not helped by the fact that we sat waiting for the ferry in burning sunshine but by the time we left the harbour (and the whole time we were on the Vineyard) it was cold, misty, dank and pretty autumnal.

Poit's Place Triple Lights, Eastham

2009-06-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

A very flukey hole-in-one at the third hole by a certain person other than myself meant that this was one trip to lighthouses that I ended up regretting.

Nauset Light, Chatham

2009-06-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

Again, follow the signs from Route 6, though this light is indicated by a very ambiguous sign that can (and did) easily lead the stranger astray. Not particularly near the coast!! This was originally the Chatham Light North Tower which was relocated to Nauset in 1923.

Wood End Light, Provincetown

2009-06-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

Again, taken from the end of the jetty in Provincetown, this is a more unsatisfactory photograph, though clicking on the photo shows some detail. Located about midway along the sandy spit on the way to Long Point Light. The light dates from 1872; the oil house to the left from 1896.

Long Point Lighthouse, Provincetown

2009-06-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

Long Point Lighthouse is located at the end of a very long spit that curls around from the top of Cape Cod and affords a measure of protection for Provincetown Harbour, though the Pilgrims were evidently none too impressed. The lighthouse is reached by means of a long 2.7 mile hike from the road along the spit or by boat. This quite satisfactory picture was taken from the end of the jetty in Provincetown. The light went up in 1875.

Highland Light, North Truro

2009-06-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

One of the iconic symbols of Cape Cod, the Highland Light (or the Cape Cod Light as it was renamed in 1976) is easy to find. Well signposted off Route 6, it is surrounded by a Lighthouse Museum and a Golf Course. A station was established here in 1797, though this particular tower dates from 1857. In the mid nineties, the lighthouse was physically moved inland 450 feet to prevent it toppling over the fast-eroding cliff!

Plum Beach Light, West Passage

2009-06-09T14:38:00.000-07:00

Doesn't seem to be much of a beach here! Located practically beneath the massive Jamestown Bridge, the closest view would be from the bridge itself but that would be somewhat impractical! The view above was taken from the east bank from Riptide Drive; the photo below was taken from Seaside Drive on Conanicut Island.

Constructed in 1898, this is another sparkplug lighthouse. It became obsolete when the first Jamestown Bridge was built in 1940 and fell into disrepair. However, recent renovations by the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse have restored it to its former glory.

Goat Island, Newport Harbour

2009-06-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

Taken from the bridge that joins Newport to Goat Island, raising my camera above the line of Chinese fishermen. This light is located at the northern end of Goat Island and shines a continuous green light. It was constructed in 1842.
We had hoped to do a "Ten Lighthouse Tour of Newport Harbor" but due to the inclement weather and lack of take-up, the company cancelled the sailing.

Mystic Seaport

2009-06-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

Great! The only lighthouse I saw in Connecticut and its not even a real one! This is located in Mystic Seaport, a highly popular open air maritime museum just north of the town of Mystic. Basically it is the recreation of a typical New England fishing village complete with the obligatory lighthouse. This particular lighthouse was built in 1966 and is an exact copy of Brant Point Lighthouse in Nantucket. Inside, you can see 2 x 4 minute films on lighthouses.

Ile St. Helene, Montreal

2009-06-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

We were actually on Ile St. Helene in the middle of the St. Lawrence River but were too busy trying to find a parking spot to notice this strangely shaped oddity of a light. This photo was actually taken from the harbour area of Montreal looking across the St. Lawrence.
Some photos have shown this light in a bad state of repair but it seems newly painted, so maybe it is finally receiving some TLC. I am not sure if the=is was ever a "light," in the strict sense of the word, or merely a day-mark.

Burlington Breakwater Light (North)

2009-06-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

Actually trying to find the much vaunted harbour area of Burlington (we never did) I happened to glance out onto Lake Champlain and saw this very neat and tidy lighthouse grinning back at me. Located at the end of a breakwater, this is actually a wooden replica of the original light and is as recent as 2004!!

Cumberland Head Light

2009-06-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, before anyone starts jumping up and down, this is not Cumberland Head Light. The actual lighthouse is located roughly 20 yards to the right and behind this skeletal tower. The Lighthouse Directory said this was visible from the Plattsburgh to Grand Isle Ferry so we didn't investigate it by land. Unfortunately the trees obscured the view of the magnificent stone tower.
However, the light itself was located for 69 years in the skeletal tower that you see in the photos, so it is, sort of, Cumberland Head Light.

Split Rock Lighthouse

2009-06-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

Crossing the southern end of Lake Champlain on the car ferry from Charlotte in Vermont to Essex in upstate New York, I was straining to get a glimpse of Split Rock Lighthouse further down the New York shore. Eventually, I managed to locate it in the trees near the end of the promontory but the photo is very distant. The first light on the site dated from 1838. It was replaced by this octagonal stone tower in 1867.

Bass Harbour Light

2009-06-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

One of the more photographed of the Mount Desert Island area lighthouses, it is the reverse view below that appears on most postcards, making for dramatic views of sea and rock and light. For some reason, the much more easily accessed view above is hardly ever seen!

This is easily found. Simply head for Bass Harbour on the 102A and the road to the light is well-signposted. We went slightly off-season and there were still a dozen or so people there, which must be slightly off-putting for the inhabitants. This light was built in 1858.

Egg Rock Lighthouse (again)

2009-06-08T13:55:00.000-07:00

Distant views of Egg Rock Light, this time from terra firma, on the Acadia National Park Loop Road.

Baker Island Light

2009-06-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

Continuing our aerial tour of Acadia, we circled Baker Island south of Isleford and its hidden lighthouse. Apparently there were originally two inhabitants of this island. William Gilley later became the first lighthouse keeper in 1828 and they had 12 children!

By the time we got to Baker Island, I was starting to feel a bit unwell, with the heat and the rocking of the aircraft, so I didn't really appreciate the fantastic views at the time. This lighthouse has been causing problems for the coastguards because the trees tend to block the light!

Egg Rock Lighthouse, Acadia

2009-06-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

On our anniversary, we did a flight in a small 4 seater aircraft. Thirty minutes around the Acadia National Park area and it worked out surprisingly cheap!

This is Egg Rock Lighthouse, lying south west of Bar Harbor. Built in 1875 it has been uninhabited since 1976. Seems a pretty desolate spot to be stationed, particularly in the harsh Maine winters.

Rockland Police Car

2009-06-08T13:03:00.001-07:00

Taken from near the Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, the Lighthouse is in fact pictured on the side of the police car (click on the photo to magnify!) Unbeknownst to me, the same Rockland police had slapped a violation under the windscreen of my own rental car for "parking the wrong way" on the street. Apparently, in some states, you are supposed to park on the side of the road that you are travelling even if, as in this case, it was a seldom-used and sleepy side street. I only spotted the violation when we had gone 30 miles down the road.

Rockland Harbour Breakwater Light

2009-06-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

Another distant photo, taken from near the Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine. We probably could have got closer but it was lunchtime and we were both hungry, so we parked just off the Main Street. Built in 1902 at the end of the breakwater in Rocland harbour.

Spring Point Ledge Light

2009-06-08T12:34:00.000-07:00

Located in South Portland, this breakwater light is accessed by driving down Broadway to the end and then down Fort Road until you hit the sea. This is a sparkplug-style lighthouse built in 1897 and apparently preceded the breakwater that now leads up to it. Sadly we couldn't see Bug Light from here due to the rather overpowering presence of a rusty supertanker.

Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse

2009-06-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

A pretty grainy photo taken from the lighthouse at Portland Head in Cape Elizabeth. This is probably the nearest you can get to it from land, so everything depends on the direction of the sun and the strength of your zoom! Built in 1905, it sits on a strip of rock about 400 yards long at the outer entrance to Portland harbour.

Portland Head Lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth

2009-06-08T12:17:00.000-07:00

Probably the most iconic of all Maine lighthouses, Portland Head sits on a picturesque headland in Cape Elizabeth. Easily accessed by driving from Shore Road into the Fort Williams State Park and driving about as far as you can go (keeping right at the vee) Built in 1791, it is Maine's oldest lighthouse and has practically become a symbol of the state, appearing on everything from tea-towels to cough sweets. (Note Ram Island Ledge lighthouse in the distance)

Cape Elizabeth Light West

2009-06-08T12:04:00.000-07:00

So, we're down at the little cove on Cape Elizabeth Head. The East lighthouse is smiling down at us from across the little river. "Excuse me," I said to a disrobing scuba diver. "I thought there was a second lighthouse here?" In reply, he simply pointed behind my head.

The West lighthouse was constructed in 1874, the same tear as the East lighthouse. Not entirely sure why they needed two lighthouses on the one headland! The west one is more inland and now appears to form part of someone's garden. Simply drive back up from the cove and take the first turn right and it brings you right past it.

Cape Elizabeth Light East

2009-06-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

One of two lighthouses at Cape Elizabeth Head, this one is known as the East light. To find it, take Two Lights Road, off the Shore Road in Cape Elizabeth. Drive as far as the entrance to the park, where there are a load of mailboxes together on the side of the road. Do not go into the park, but instead swing left and follow the road right down to the harbour. It is visible on the headland to the left. Built in 1874.

Derby Wharf Lighthouse, Salem

2009-06-08T10:59:00.001-07:00

Not a particularly hard lighthouse to find, this is a very small blocky lighthouse built at the end of the wharf in Salem's harbour. Built in 1871, it is only twenty feet high. It was decommissioned for a time in the middle of the last century but was restored to active service in 1983, powered by solar energy.

New England Lighthouses

2009-06-08T10:57:00.001-07:00

The photos following this were taken on a 2 week holiday of a lifetime driving around New England. Lighthouses were pursued where time permitted. Often a long range view had to suffice...

Lightship Biskopsudden, Stockholm

2009-02-08T05:19:00.000-08:00

One of the prettier lightships, the Biskopsudden was actually not called that when in service. It has only been thus named since its arrival at Biskopsudden Marina on southern Djurgarden in 1988.

Originally Fyrskepp (Light-ship) 21, it was constructed in 1899, serving Trelleborgsredd until 1930 and then Oskarsgrundet until 1961, when it was de-commissioned.

Lightship Finngrundet, Stockholm

2009-02-08T05:11:00.000-08:00

Located at the Vasa Museum on Djurgarden Island, the ship is available to visit for most of the year but not sadly early February, when we were there. Most of the deck was covered in a white sheet too.

Built in 1903, the ship served for 66 years at the Finngrundet station north east of Gavo. Also known more formally as Fyrskepp 25

Various Lights, Stockholm

2009-02-08T05:01:00.000-08:00

This looks like the light of a lightship to me but I may be wrong. Found chained to a lamppost on Soder Malarstrand on Sodermalm Island near the Centralbron. No distinguishing marks.

Built on 14 islands, Stockholm has many, many lights of all shapes and sizes to protect the estimated 22,000 boats from shallows and rocks. The one above is off the east coast of Skeppsholm, the one below off Djurgarden.

Blockhusudden Light, Djurgarden, Stockholm

2009-02-08T04:55:00.000-08:00

Sailing east from Stockholm, this light is located at the far south-easterly point of Djurgarden island. Presumably a good view is also attainable from the 69 bus which passes not far away too.

A station was established here in 1905. The light marks the final approach to Stockholm harbour.

Libertus Light, Stockholm

2009-02-08T04:42:00.000-08:00

Sailing eastwards from Stockholm's central area (Gamla Stan), when you pass the eastern tip of Djurgarden Island, there are two small islands in the middle of the Lilla Vartan Sound. The Libertus light is on the more northern one of these, at the north-western point.

The station was established here in 1931. Ocean going liners criss-cross this point going to the two major departure points in Stockholm, bound for Tallinn, Helsinki etc

Castle Pfalz, Kaub, Mittelrhein, Germany

2009-01-06T07:52:00.001-08:00

Photo by Brenda Lawless (it turned out better than mine!)
.
Okay not a conventional sea lighthouse but according to Wikipedia "The castle was acquired by Prussia in 1866, and toll collections ceased in 1867. It continued to be used as a signal station for the river boat traffic for about another century. In 1946, the castle became property of the State of Rheinland–Pfalz."
Now, although not found in any lighthouse directories, a castle with a light in the middle of a river that was used for a signal station, constitutes a lighthouse!
This remarkable edifice, one of the few castles along the Middle Rhine that was never conquered, is actually built on an island in the middle of the river, a mile or two south of the famous Lorelei Rock. It faces the village of Kaub and a cross-river ferry passes close by the castle.

Los Gigantes, Tenerife

2008-10-08T09:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, not lighthouses but two lights marking the harbour entrance beneath the massively impressive cliffs at Los Gigantes.

Rethymnon Old Lighthouse, Crete

2008-07-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

Note new light just visible at the end of the mole in the picture above

Excuse all the photos but I love this lighthouse. A square base, octagonal main shaft and the top is circular. The decoration on the brickwork is fantastic. Built 1864, it is no longer active, now merely guarding the entrance to a small inner harbour. I sat opposite this one baking hot day in July 2008 and wrote the poem below

Rethymnon lighthouse waltz

At the end of the pier,
Where few tourists go
In the mad Cretan heat,
O’er the waters so clear
That languidly flow
To bathe his tired feet,

He stands tall and straight
With a big toothless grin
On his world-weary face,
Watching tourists and freight
Purring out, purring in,
Past his thick sturdy base.

His old grey tin cap –
Does it nod to the bucks
In their bright fancy gear
That now hold the map
And the maritime books
On the opposite pier?

Does his mind flicker back
To empirical times
When he stood proud and strong,
Shining forth in the black,
With his nautical chimes
Chanting loud the old song?

In his mind, does he hear
The victorious crow
Of the large Turkish fleet?
At the end of the pier,
Where few tourists go
In the mad Cretan heat...

Rethymnon New Light, Crete

2008-07-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

The old Venetian lighthouse at the entrance of the inner harbour (see entry above) has been decommissioned, probably because the harbour has been expanded. Two identical functional lights (one above) now stand at the end of the outer harbour walls

Chania (Xania) Lighthouse, Crete

2008-07-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

Old Venetian lighthouse policing the entrance of Xania harbour in North West Crete. The base of the lighthouse is much older than the tower, which was established in 1864

Biarritz Lighthouse, France

2008-06-23T07:49:00.001-07:00

St. Martin's Lighthouse lies at the northern edge of the main beach of Biarritz on the Cape Hainsart. It is one of the iconic images of the fashionable French resort, though the confusing one-way system in the town makes driving to it from the town centre very confusing.

At the site, the lighthouse is set in lovely landscaped grounds full of hydrangeas. There is also a prohibitively expensive Phare Cafe there. It cost €2 to climb the 248 steps to the top of the light, though be warned, "il n'y a pas d'ascenseur, monsieur."

St Jean de Luz Outer Light, France

2008-06-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

Located at the mouth of the fishing harbour at St. Jean de Luz, this has a vertical orange stripe on the sea-facing side. Although the harbour entrance between St Jean de Luz and Ciboure is very narrow, it is difficult to see why a light "house" was needed here, rather than a simple light, as at other harbours along the Basque coast.

St Jean de Luz Inner Light, France

2008-06-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

Rather an unusual one this. Located more in Ciboure than in St. Jean de Luz it is located where the River Nivelle opens out into the busy little harbour of St. Jean de Luz. Built in 1938, it is a sister light to the outer light, except that this one has a green rather than an orange stripe.
What puzzles me is - why the need for a lighthouse there?

Cabo Higuer, Hondarribia, Spain

2008-06-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

After what was supposed to be a quick detour off the main road to San Sebastian, we finally made our tortuous way through Hondarribia and out to the cape, on the west side of the river separating Spain and France. This lighthouse looks inhabited with what appears to be an allotment within the grounds.

Monte Igueldo, San Sebastian, Spain

2008-06-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

Only a very distant view of this lighthouse, from roughly the same spot as the Isla de Santa Clara below. The weather was very murky and not conducive to good photography. This dates back to 1855.

Isla de Santa Clara, San Sebastian, Spain

2008-06-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

Lighthouse built in 1864, this photo was taken from the promenade leading down to the port of San Sebastian in Basque country. I actually thought this was on the far side of the bay, little realising it was on an island.

Cap Cerbere, Roussillon Coast, France

2008-01-28T12:26:00.000-08:00

A windy drive up from the little coastal village of Cap Cerbere on the Franco-Spanish border brings us to a small carpark. Walking the short distance from there to the lighthouse, the latter looks very imposing and quite attractive, clad as it is in stone. However, when you walk around it, the most unattractive, paint-daubed tinny structure appears. Bizarre.

Fort Fanal, Port Vendres, Roussillon Coast, France

2008-01-28T12:19:00.000-08:00

What my wife described as a very ugly lighthouse as viewed from the dock area of Port Vendres. We couldn't figure out how to drive around to it, as we had no detailed map, so this medium distance view had to suffice.

Collioure, Roussillon Coast, France

2008-01-28T12:11:00.000-08:00

Located in the harbour of the small fishing port of Collioure, this structure is the definitive image of Collioure. It appears to be located at the end of an old church.

Punta Verudela, Croatia

2008-01-28T12:06:00.000-08:00

Located on the Verudela headland south of Pula, this south facing lighthouse is part of a tourist complex. Following the signs for a lighthouse on the map, we spent a while looking for it, before spotting the light sticking out above the roof.

Brijuni Island, Croatia

2008-01-28T12:04:00.001-08:00

Located on the western side of the resort island of Brijuni. This photo taken from the tourist ferry from Pula that circles the archipelago

San Cristobal, La Gomera

2008-01-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

A very distant view of the San Cristobal Lighthouse in La Gomera on the Canary Islands. The lighthouse is located on a headland to the north of the capital San Sebastian. This photo taken from the Tenerife ferry.

Teno Lighthouse, Tenerife

2008-01-28T05:58:00.000-08:00

On the south westerly tip of the island of Tenerife, Teno lighthouse is reached by a spectacular drive through the mountains of Masca. Lying on a promontary, unfortunately gates seal off the site from the public.