This is my last night here.

I feel so privileged to get to spend time on Race Rocks. I am grateful for all the new work done to the house (the thermal windows make it SO much quieter). Christine seems to have organized, cleaned and decluttered in every space. The ecoguardians care about Race Rocks and it is apparent. I am just so grateful this rock has been protected. So many animals, all year round depend on it to survive. Garry Fletcher was visionary in getting it protected.

Today I awoke to fog. It was thick. Seal Rocks was not visible. The perfect morning to wash windows. After the solar panels I washed the house windows. The wind was strong all day. Sometimes 25 knots from west. The wind and the gulls have managed to paint the windows once again.

Then I swept all the stairs in the lighthouse. I wore a mask and hazmat suit as I imagine the paint has lead in it. It has been a couple of years since I have swept the stairs and there is alarming deterioration of the sandstone. Apparently the bottom two thirds of the lighthouse is built from granite (imported from Scotland) and the top third is sandstone. If sandstone is not sealed it absorbs water and will deteriorate and that is what is happening. Still it was a satisfying job.

Sandstone losing its seal. Lighthouse ceiling.

Before sweeping

Energy

Since I arrived on Sunday (4 days ago) we have not needed the generator. Solar has provided the station with energy.

Visitors

Eco tourism boats around 12

Weather

Westerly all day with gusts to 25

Fog until about 8 a.m. then clear

Observations

I was thinking that with these winds a few interesting birds might visit but real estate on Race Rocks is tight and so far I haven’t recognized any visitors. Four Stellar Sea Lions are on the South Islands.

First thing this morning I saw a gull with a bloody beak and chest. It had been fighting with its neighbour, the gull I find most aggressive. They locked beaks and kept pulling. I am glad to see the beaks both look to be functional still.

Gull bleeding after fight