For an update on what a Mise Tale is then please see Mise Tales One.

Lighthouses in a Bottle

I have heard of ships in a bottle but never lighthouses in a bottle until I came across the photo at the left. It has been sitting on my computer for ages and I forgot where it came from.

Doing a Google Image Search I came up with Village Crafstmen and lots more lighthouses in a bottle – some multiple ones as the photo on the right shows.

Their address and contact information is on their website.

 

Fancy a Break in a Lighthouse?

 

#Lighthouses – January 28, 2013 – Ever fancied a break staying in a lighthouse, away in some remote stretch of coastline, then look no further.

The Irish Landmark Trust, have five such lighthouse properties dotted around the coast in which the public can rent on self-catering basis.

Get to experience breath-taking views and stunning backdrops from these beautifully restored lighthouses. To view further details of each lighthouse and how to make a booking, click the links below.[spoiler title=”Click for more . . .” open=”0″ style=”1″]

Blackhead Lighthouse, Whitehead in Co. Antrim Lightkeepers House One  AND  Lightkeepers House Two

Galley Head Lighthouse, Clonakilty, Co Cork Lightkeepers House One  AND Lightkeepers House Two

Loop Head Lighthouse, Kilbaha, Co. Clare

Wicklow Lighthouse, Dunbar Head, Co. Wicklow

For information about the role of the Irish Landmark Trust, whose remit is to save interesting and unusual ‘landmark’ properties throughout the island of Ireland, and to re-use them, once restored, as good quality self-catering holiday accommodation visit:http://www.irishlandmark.com/about/about-us.aspx [/spoiler]

 

Where Is the Tallest Lighthouse? Wonder #846 Jan. 26, 2013

Today’s Wonder of the Day will help light your way!

So where is the tallest lighthouse? That might seem like an easy question, but there’s actually some controversy about what should be considered a lighthouse. For example, some tall structures incorporate lights that can be used as beacons for navigation.

Jeddah Light in Saudi Arabia stands 436 feet tall and has a credible claim as the tallest lighthouse in the world. Other challengers include the 348-foot-tall Yokohama Marine Tower in Japan and the 352-foot-tall Perry Memorial Monument in Ohio. Neither the Yokohama Marine Tower nor the Perry Memorial Monument, however, were built for the specific purpose of being a traditional lighthouse, so some dispute their claims. . . . more

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Did you know?

Imagine you’re an old sea captain sailing your ship through dark waters. It’s late at night and clouds block all the light from the moon. You know you’re near land, but you’re not sure how close you are.

You don’t want to run aground and sink your ship. So you keep a close eye out for signs of danger. Then, over there, you see something. It’s just a blip of light. But there it goes again! What is it? It’s the beacon of a lighthouse helping to guide you safely home.

Lighthouses are towers, buildings or other usually tall structures that shine bright lights to help guide ships at sea. With the help of lighthouses, ships can safely avoid dangerous coastlines and reefs. Lighthouses also help mark the entrances of harbors and bays.

The first lighthouses were lit by open fires or candles. Eventually, other substances, including whale oil, lard oil and kerosene, were used to produce light. Once electric lights were invented, they became the primary light source.

The light source in a lighthouse is called the lamp. To reach ships out at sea, the light source must be concentrated and projected. This is accomplished by using a series of lenses that are often called optics.

The Fresnel lens, invented in 1822 by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel, allowed the light from the lamp in a lighthouse to be projected great distances. Rotating mechanisms were also introduced to allow the light to be projected in a circular fashion all around the lighthouse, thereby increasing visibility.

To be effective, the light from a lighthouse must be high enough to be seen by ships long before they get too close to danger. This led many lighthouses to be designed by architects and engineers as tall cylinders. The cylindrical shape reduces the effect of strong winds. Of course, if a cliff is near the seashore, a lighthouse doesn’t have to be nearly as tall.

Sometimes, lighthouses have to be built in the water. Dangerous reefs, for example, can exist far off coastlines. In these areas, lighthouses built off-shore can still help ships avoid these dangers.

So where is the tallest lighthouse? That might seem like an easy question, but there’s actually some controversy about what should be considered a lighthouse. For example, some tall structures incorporate lights that can be used as beacons for navigation.

Jeddah Light in Saudi Arabia stands 436 feet tall and has a credible claim as the tallest lighthouse in the world. Other challengers include the 348-foot-tall Yokohama Marine Tower in Japan and the 352-foot-tall Perry Memorial Monument in Ohio. Neither the Yokohama Marine Tower nor the Perry Memorial Monument, however, were built for the specific purpose of being a traditional lighthouse, so some dispute their claims.

The tallest traditional lighthouse is widely considered to be 271-foot-tall Île Vierge Lighthousein France. Built in 1902, it’s made of granite and is the tallest stone lighthouse in the world today.

Lighthouses are still used today, but they’re not as necessary as they once were. Thanks to advances in navigational technology, many lighthouses have been shut down due to the expense of maintaining them. In fact, the last manned lighthouse built in the United States was the Charleston Lighthouse, which was built in 1962. [/private]

A Lighthouse in Portugal

When I saw this image I thought it had to be faked but not so. A good telephoto lens will condense an image like this. This is a lighthouse in Nazare, Portugal. The event was that surfer Garrett McNamara was trying to break/breaking the world record for surfing the highest wave on January 29, 2013. But look, it is a picture of a lighthouse too! Everything is real. Here is a photo of the actual lighthouse from InMyViewPhotography.com.

 

 

Garden Treasures Lighthouse Fountain

What a unique item to add to your garden! Order me one too!  😛 This fountain is 33.25″ tall and 14.5″ wide (84.5 x 36.8 cms) and made of resin for your outdoor pleasure. The description says it includes UL rated pump with adjustable water flow. One review says:

This is a very easy setup item. Fill with water up to the three small holes at the bottom and plug it in! – Has a top solar light that is additionally attractive and easy to set up.

Let me know in the comments if you order one, and if you are pleased with it. 

PS I did a Google Search and found a few more interesting varieties too.