To the Lighthouse

 On Sunday I found myself looking across to the beach I was standing on in my last post.

 

I went over to the Wirral to see my brother and sister-in-law and we went for a windy and bracing stroll on the sea front. There's no beach over here at this point of the coast, but there's a long walkway, next to the sea wall.

 

All along this side of the Wirral Peninsula were once many lighthouses in Liverpool's history as a thriving port. They would guide the ships safely into the harbour and stop them running aground on the reefs close to the shore. With advance of technology, they are no longer in use, but some of them survive as historic buildings.

Just a stone's throw from the sea is Leasowe Lighthouse, looked after by a trust who open to the public on certain Sundays; luckily this was one of them. The trust have done a fantastic job of restoring this once derelict building, last used as a lighthouse in the 1900s, unoccupied since the 1930s. Apparently when they began work, the pigeon droppings reached the second floor........what a delightful cleaning job that must have been. Anyway. we climbed up the spiral staircase to the top.

The view;  the windows caused reflection and I only had a few minutes to snap, but it gives a good impression of the panorama, and how good a view the lighthouse keeper would have had of all the ships approaching. Flags identifying every ship were raised at each lighthouse on the approach into Liverpool so the staff at the harbour were advised of the imminent arrival of each particular ship and could be ready for the changeover of cargo and crew.

You can just see the plaque stating the year of construction as 1763, it's stood the test of time and the elements incredibly well. And the 130 stairs have worked off some of those lovely Easter goodies!

 
 

Comments

[Diane]

Lighthouses are amazing - and amazing that many of them are still standing. The West coast sea always looks forbodding to me. I think it must have been very scarey to set sail for America - its such a long way off.

[Marie]

The walls are so thick, at least 2 feet in this particular one, they really were built to last! The sea was very choppy on Sunday, I can't imagine what being at sea for weeks must have been like; we are so lucky now to be able to get on a plane and be somewhere in a matter of hours.

[Jennyff]

It's good that these amazing structures are being preserved and people can get a good look round them. Occupying and manning a lighthouse can't have been much fun but I do have a desire to spend a night or two in one that has been totally renovated and beautifully furnished.

[Anna]

I visit Liverpool regularly but trips to the Wirral are rare - will have to remedy that situation. I enjoyed your post Marie and the previous one too :)