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Hood Point Lighthouse, East London

Hood Point Lighthouse, East London is surrounded by a golf course, a cemetery and the sea.

Before the internet, it was usual to give paper greeting cards to people, birthdays, Christmas and any other significant occasion was celebrated by the giving and receiving of cards. We also gave cards showing love, sadness and so on. I bought a card once with one of DH Lawrence’s poems on the front called “Trust”.  I wasn’t brave enough to give the card. The confidence of youth? Not always………

And be, oh be
a sun to me,
not a weary, insistent
personality

but a sun that shines
and goes dark, but shines
again and entwines
with the sunshine in me

till we both of us
are more glorious
and more sunny.

..

“So fine was the morning except for a streak of wind here and there that the sea and sky looked all one fabric,

as if sails were stuck high up in the sky, or the clouds had dropped down into the sea.”

Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse

Akaroa Lighthouse

Akaroa Lighthouse

Akaroa is on the Banks Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand. The weather was beautiful when we visited and the town was buzzing with tourists just off two cruise ships in the harbour.

After strolling around we found an ice cream parlour. I was so engrossed with various flavours, I tripped up a step, fell over and hit my head on the Tip Top ice cream fridge.

It was only that evening, after I recovered from my mishap, that I realised I’d missed photographing the Akaroa Lighthouse. Fortunately my son was happy to drive back into Akaroa the next day so as I could have a close look at the lighthouse and take some photos.

This very attractive Victorian lighthouse was built in about 1879.

The structure is wooden and six sided. It was originally situated on Akaroa Heads and was moved to its present location in 1980. In 1977 an automated lighthouse was installed. The lighthouse has six sides and four levels.

Akaroa Lighthouse from a distance

“A lighthouse is not interested in who gets its light

It just gives it without thinking

Giving light is its nature”

Mehmet Murat ilden

Akaroa