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I met my husband, when I was working, to the Brazilian Navy as a civilian librarian. It's quite interesting that never before had I payed much attention to lighthouses. Then, after learning with him, how useful and mandatory these beautiful structures are to the safety of navigation I became a lighthouse lover!
Clovis decided to be a lighthouse keeper for two reasons. Firstly because he is deeply interested in aids to navigation and secondly because he knew he could be stationed at a lighthouse located at an island. He loves the sea, the birds, the nature after all. After taking a special course he became a lighthouse keeper... Well, he didn't know the hard work which was waiting for him! :o))
A lighthouse keeper daily routine:
Cleaning and polishing the lenses and the lantern Cleaning the stairs, doors, windows and balconies Checking out the electronical devices that produces the light's characteristic Painting the tower when it is needed Checking out all the electrical devices which provides power to the station
And sometimes they have to deal with lots of dead birds which pile up at the tower's balcony as they are attracted by the light at night, unfortunately killing themselves colliding with the lantern!
Besides all this working routines they have to take care of their own houses! So, they fish to have a fresh meal, they do their laundry, theycook, they have to do everything which would normally be done by a wife!
A lighthouse keeper's life is not an easy one and it's funny to realize that some people think it's just a romantic way of living by the sea... I'm talking about our Brazilian experience. I don't know if in another countries things are easier. Can you magine the loneliness of a lighthouse keeper during a stormy night? Their families usually don't move to the station as their children need schools and other facilities... Lighthouse keepers have to learn how to deal with solitude and with the sea and the winds caprices...
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Page created on April, 2001 |
Clovis
