The lighthouse and the lichen

We had our first ever family holiday last week, we had a few days in Nelson together, an art project for Mr Carter and a spare home we could occupy, even some wheels to get around in. Luna and Blake had their first plane flights, it was wild! They recalled excitedly, the ‘plane lollies, cups of water and cookies’ they were delighted to receive onboard. Then there were the electric blankets and a fireplace, bliss, as far as they were concerned.

We knew we were in for some chilly weather, what we didn’t anticipate were beautiful clear days, and an adventure to – and up into – a lighthouse. Luna and Blake have been into maritime disasters, lighthouses and shipwrecks for some time, so this was extra special.

We were really taken by the Boulder Bank in Nelson, it’s something of a unique geological feature of the bay, and visited it a couple of times.

It’s a spit made from boulders, quite literally, boulders, boulders, everywhere.

It’s an arid and extreme environment, unusual plants and lichen inhabit this place.

Really fascinating.

Beautiful colours textures.

We all enjoyed learning about the history of human occupation of the Boulder Bank, there was evidence of human buildings and living still on the site.

Old buildings.

Unexpected spring flowers near the lighthouse.

This is an historically significant light house, and while it is not a working lighthouse any more, it is well cared for and well worth the visit if you can negotiate the boulders, which are not for the lose ankles or gamy knees!

Such an interesting building.

So beautiful on the inside!

Great colours.

Steep stairs!

Bleak and bold with the red paint.

That bulb!

Looking up the spit to the beginnings of the boulder bank.

And down towards The Cut.

There were amazing discoveries to be made everywhere, like bird and fish bones.

And so much rubbish! Our small party brought back a couple of bags of really random trash.

I was taken by the lichen covered rocks.

Which were down the inside, harbour side of the bank.

Amazing colours and textures.

Mosses.

And a small collection.

We could easily spend days here, so much to see, collect, wonder about and explore. We have a deeper appreciation of how hard life was for the people who built the lighthouse and other dwellings, living and working here too. I just love it when what we have been reading and learning about comes together in real life experiences.

I also loved the lichen, it’s very relevant to my current projects….but that’s another post.