What lighthouse keepers do in their spare time
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325255)
Rockingham, Australia
June 6, 2019 2:37am CST
The sculptures in the photo are on a wall outside the café at Mizen Head, West Cork, Ireland. I should have taken more care with the photo but the hands depict some of the hobbies that light-house keepers engaged in when not actually on duty. There is no light-house as such at Mizen Head, just a signal station but it was just as important in keeping shipping safe.
The hands show ship model making, baking, gardening, fishing and painting. A video at the signal station showed a signalman baking bread and decorating a sponge cake with cream and strawberries. It really made my mouth water.
14 people like this
13 responses
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
6 Jun 19
Lighthouse keepers were quite isolated in some places. A great way to indicate what they did to kill the lonely time!
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
7 Jun 19
@JudyEv Yes that was the case for quite a few offshore lighthouses. Trecherous to get onto and they had to wait for good weather to be able to do that!
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
6 Jun 19
They made good use of their time at the same time doing their job
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
6 Jun 19
most fascinatin'! 't least they put their 'down times' to good use, eh? most certain many talents 'merged'n many got purty danged creative. jest readin' what'cha wrote 'bout that fella'n that sponge cake've me droolin', lol.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
7 Jun 19
@JudyEv there 'twas a fella who'd beautiful embroidery (could'a been ireland, might'a been scotland?) i studied years back'n school. long, cold 'n blustery winter days 'n nights brought 'im to such task. 'is work 'twas amazin'!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325255)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jun 19
@crazyhorseladycx Maybe that's the same one I'm thinking about. Quite a few sailors learnt to knit.
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@moffittjc (118365)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Jun 19
I have always been fascinated with lighthouses and those who built and worked in them. Such an important role in sailing history keeping our ships safe as they traveled from one place to another.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118365)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jun 19
@JudyEv I wouldn’t want to do it just because of having to constantly go up and down the lighthouse stairs. And in the old days, they burned oil to provide the light . I would hate to have to haul that up to the top constantly to keep the lighthouse lit at night.
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@JudyEv (325255)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jun 19
@moffittjc The prisms had to be polished very regularly and the wicks of the lights trimmed too. They had plenty to do during their working hours.
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@JudyEv (325255)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jun 19
What if you broke a string and didn't have any spares? Wouldn't that just be the end of the world? 
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
6 Jun 19
so cool, that was my dream job for a long time!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325255)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jun 19
@DocAndersen Yes, being the only one using a kitchen makes things a lot easier.
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
7 Jun 19
@JudyEv it would be lonely - but the kitchen would be clean! (no twins snacking!)
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@Nakitakona (56302)
• Philippines
6 Jun 19
They didn't waste their time. They're creative.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325255)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jun 19
@Nakitakona I think you mean dawdled but it doesn't matter. Have a great day.
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