The Lighthouse

Today I went on a photography trip on Nelson Harbour with the Senior Net photography group.  We went on a little ferry to visit this lighthouse and Haulashore Island.  The lighthouse was first lit on August 4th 1862  and was the second permanent lighthouse in New Zealand.  It sits on the Boulder Bank which is the natural break water that protects Nelson Harbour.  The ferry master has the key to the house and many of  the group climbed the spiral stairs to the top.  I didn't think I could so I look forward to the pictures from the top.  Each member of the group can share three images at the next meeting.  The ferry came and picked us up and took us to Haulashore Island where we had lunch and were free to explore before the ferry once again picked us up and took us back to the main wharf.  It was an enjoyable trip and gave us a different perspective looking back to the shore.  Usually we are looking out to the harbour entrance.  The little island is quiet and a different world to the busy Rocks Road on the shore.  
The extra is the view of a forest fire that started on Tuesday afternoon.  It is 20 k south of where I live but the plume of smoke is visible from as far away as Nelson.  As a forestry wife of long standing I know a column of smoke going straight up means there is a lot of fuel burning.  Sadly it is the foresters trees.  He works part time for the company that owns the forest.  Baby trees from last winter have burnt so he will be probably now be planning for a bigger area to be replanted.  Trees nearing maturity are also burning.  In between the areas of forest are farms and life style blocks and there have been evacuations of people from their homes.  Trees can be replanted but families and their animals are the priority.  The extra is a poor photo from the truck as we were driving. In the good old days the forester would have been in his overalls and out there.  Now days the fire and emergency services manage the response.  There has been some pacing and a longing to be involved.