life inside a lighthouse. A Lighthouse Keepers Story. 1994

This is my video record of what it was like on a wave - washed lighthouse. This was filmed in 1994 on video tape. The object was to try and record for posterity the passing way of life of us Lighthouse Keepers. The Hanois Lighthouse is just off Guernsey in the Channel Islands, ....No scripts, we aren't actors and there are 3 Keepers doing 28 days on board followed by 28 days at home, with two crews so the place was manned 24/7 365 days of the year. I have deliberately not put music to this to try and give you the feel of what it was like, hope you enjoy it.

[@JohnHonda101]

How time passes, I would have been 29 years old when this was shot, as I head towards 60 this remeinded me of how things were not so long ago in my mind. I like everything about this video, good health and happiness to everyone.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much John, much appreciated. Hope you had a great Christmas and get an even better New Year. Take care and stay safe.

[@Erebusdidnothingwrongish]

This is great its like seeing friends after work for a pint x

[@Wv8675]

I was four years old

[@Ldogthe1nonly]

I am 29 watching this now ❤

[@tejpalsinghvlogs]

I was just born

[@robbiegoldsmith8727]

Hi Peter, Just found this here today, Seems funny to see myself after all those years ago. My black hair and beard are both white now. I enjoyed the month you spent with us out there. You have done a fantastic job with all these video's. Well Done.

[@PeterHalil]

Hi Robbie, Long time no see, my hair (What's left that is Ha) is also on the white side and the beard. Glad you like the videos, to date you are the only Lighthouse Keeper to respond. Cheers, take care.

[@sarkybugger5009]

@ROBBIE Goldsmith. And I thought you appeared a bit grumpy... ;o) Thanks for these videos, Peter.

[@agolftwittler1223]

@ROBBIE Goldsmith I am an old sailor, I appreciate that you guys kept the lights on for us out there 😊

[@agolftwittler1223]

@Peter Halil An excellent job Sir. I watched the whole thing and all of a sudden it was over, it felt like it was only ten minutes time 😊

[@PeterHalil]

@@agolftwittler1223 Thank you it was a pleasure for us, hopefully Robbie will also see this kind message, cheers, take care.

[@nevar108]

One of the underutilized aspects of KZbin is archival of video like this one. Thank you for doing this! Hopefuly people 100s of years from now will still enjoy this!

[@PeterHalil]

Cheers mate that means a lot to me, I didn't want the Lighthouse Keeper to fade away without so much as a bleat!..take care

[@philtripe]

this is the most delicate medium humans have ever used to save history. all that need happen is the power goes out and all this is lost forever as the computers involved would over heat and destroy all the saved information. another scenario could be if KZbin stops being popular all the saved info could be simply shut off, another could be a virus or even an attack but all that is assuming we will still be using these old time computers when we will likely be using quantum computers in 100 years time

[@Pauldjreadman]

This is one reason I love KZbin.

[@casekocsk]

I just hope KZbin won't delete these precious archive videos (under the new policies) just because they "don't have enough profit potential (or something like that)"

[@Pauldjreadman]

@@casekocsk Yoy could ask the channel owner to send it you?

[@DannyBoy01ify]

An era that has sadly come to an end. Most are remote controlled these days. Great that you recorded it for posterity. Thanks.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for liking it, I'm riding a wave of nostalgia editing these videos, cheers.

[@paulwilliams2663]

@Peter Halil said in true maritime fashion...riding a wave 👍

[@KrustyKlown]

and GPS has made the remote controlled ones obsolete

[@autonomousglisteningwater2286]

What amazes me is how they built a light house in those condition.

[@si_vis_amari_ama]

www.bellrock.org.uk/lighthouse/index.htm

[@davidm3maniac201]

@@si_vis_amari_ama Nice bit of info. Always wondered how they built these lighthouses in the middle of nowhere

[@wcstevens7]

Check out the building of the Bellrock Lighthouse on You tube.

[@kennethrisner8648]

im thinking it was built on a breakwall that was eventually washed away from the waves

[@christophersouthgate4317]

Elizabeth Reign Castillo Bellrock Lighthouse

[@mezzanoon]

The framing of so many of these shots are incredibly award worthy. The respect and awe of this structure, it's history and the men who served it are all on display.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for your kind comments. Glad you liked the video, take care and stay safe

[@vandibber8221]

Thank you very much for documenting all this. Back in 1994, I was 16 years old and got into the habit of walking my dog along the beach in Edinburgh before going to school. It was always dark and I loved just standing watching the lights from the 2 lighthouses that were visible from the beach. Ever since then always been fascinated by them. I've just discovered your channel and it's a gold mine! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much, glad you found my channel. I was 16 once too! Cheers take care and stay safe.

[@vandibber8221]

I've just been researching it and one of the ones I could see from Portobello beach was Fidra, I don't know if you know it or visited it? Even though I've lived in London for 15 years, when I go back home to visit family who live a 60 second walk from the sea, I always pop down at night to have a look

[@PeterHalil]

@@vandibber8221 No Van, don't know that one so will have to try and google it now to find it. PS. Just found it in Sarah Kerr's book, The British Lighthouse Trail. The lighthouse looks very interesting. Cheers

[@justinwalker4475]

🙂 ah 16...dreams@@PeterHalil

[@Steve_1999]

Awesome documentary! There's something mysterious about lighthouses that I can't get over..

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for that. Yes, since I've been editing all my videos, I've realised that there is an awful lot of that life that I miss, cheers.

[@cre8lite11]

I love them my whole life yet I’ve only seen a couple. I think they are symbolic. I love the foghorns too

[@burroughsw5058]

@@PeterHalil alas its you in the video. Teacher asked all our class what we wanted to be when older, I said a lighthouse keeper, to much laughter.

[@PeterHalil]

@@burroughsw5058Ha Ha!, If you really really still want to, try going the other route and be a techy or labourer that goes out to these lights to service and maintain. cheers

[@coltfanboi7747]

This is a really interesting and informative video, very seldom does one come across such a true gem of a documentary like this, filmed by someone actually doing the job. It's this kind of material which is valuable and needs to be archived, rather than the sterile, cut to ribbons and edited "drama" documentaries we see these days on TV. Kind of Robbie to let you film him and to take the time to explain the workings of a Lighthouse. Thanks for taking the time to upload it, really appreciate your efforts.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your kind words. Robbie and Barry were great and I enjoyed taking the films. I've finally had the way with it all to get most digitized, then a very long learning curve to learn how to edit after buying the editing program. If they ever try to sell you something that they say is easy and intuitive....run a mile haha..take care.

[@justinwalker4475]

encore bravo

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

Thanks so much for no music

[@PeterHalil]

Cheers, I tried to make it as real as we experienced it.

[@PeterHalil]

@ace toxic Thanks for that. cheers

[@andrewdaley3081]

@@PeterHalil if you do put music to this can you play what shall we do with a drunken sailor. on a loop 😉

[@PeterHalil]

@@andrewdaley3081 Ha Ha, cheers.

[@jeepinjohnny2898]

right on, judith. background racket (music?) ruins the show.

[@ArtGardenFoodExpressions]

This is a stunning documentary. Well filmed and edited with NO MUSIC. I am so fortunate to have stumbled upon your Channel. Thank you.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you Joyce, welcome aboard, glad you enjoyed our efforts. Lots more to come. Take care and stay healthy and safe.

[@midcenturymodern9330]

I just love to hear the real sounds of this type of life. No music is necessary. In my humble opinion, this is an excellent documentary. edit: I wish I could somehow get rid of my fear of heights. 😕

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for your kind words, much appreciated. As for your fear of heights, snap, would you believe I'm not clever with that either! Stay safe, cheers.

[@Bulletguy07]

What a brilliant video showing daily life as an offshore lighthouse keeper. I once met a chap who'd worked on Bishops Rock lighthouse who told me his hobby was short wave radio and in his time off he used to dangle a wire out of the lighthouse for his aerial.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for those kind words, that chap on the Bishop could have been Andy Bluer, but there were a few that were into radio, cheers

[@Bulletguy07]

@@PeterHalil It was some years back now when i was on holiday in Cornwall and visited the Lighthouse Museum (i believe has closed now?) and i was just wandering around when this guy kind of "attached" himself to me as an unofficial guide! He told me he'd worked for Trinity House as a keeper in various lighthouses, both land and offshore. He certainly knew his stuff and i found him very interesting to chat with. The museum should have given him a job but i think he was just happy to talk to anyone about his life before retiring.

[@PeterHalil]

@@Bulletguy07 I've been to that museum, in fact my pic that appears on here was taken there in front of the Bishop rock lens. Yes it is closed, wonder where all the exhibits went? Cheers for that, stay safe.

[@jeromecabral7464]

I have always been a fan of lighthouses since I was a kid. Have always wanted to to be a lighthouse keeper

[@PeterHalil]

Sorry you missed out on being a Lighthouse Keeper, take care.

[@Pipsqwak]

I love those beautiful old Fresnel lenses. They are works of art. And nothing better than seeing that reassuring light beaming out when you're on a boat at sea.

[@PeterHalil]

Yes I totally agree with that. I used to like to spend a moment or two up in the lantern at night just to watch the lens lit up in motion, also in my filming I try to get the rainbow patterns across the walls etc. Thanks for your input and stay safe.

[@AnalogBert]

This was a nice meditation - no music, no drama, well done! Thank you for this valuable, out of ordinary pearl on YT. PS: I am a real fan of lighthouses, therefore I founded a company called lighthousefactory ;) But of course, the name is symbolic.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for those comments, glad you enjoyed it, take care.

[@livesportsvideo02]

A rare insight into a magical and mystical world. As a plasterer myself, I couldn't help wondering how much effort went into kitting out the lighthouse and the daily drudgery of climbing all those stairs. Many thanks and praise goes out to all those light House keepers who spent most of their working lives in isolation guarding the seas and the vessels that rode on her, so that the rest of us could wake up with a cup of tea or coffee and other treasures we take for granted that found themselves to our shores by boat. Many thanks for sharing.

[@PeterHalil]

Cheers thank you for your very kind words, much appreciated, take care.

[@davidcrooks1752]

Really enjoyed this especially with no music. To all lighthouse keepers thank you for your service. Truly some of the most deserving of unsung heroes.

[@brandysmanlarry]

I think it's so much better without music. It gives you the feeling that you are nestled safely inside with the crew lol.

[@partyvr5053]

Not an easy job! But so interesting, Thankyou for this wonderful video!

[@larsvegas1505]

@@partyvr5053 Not the worst job either.. lots of time off and if ur there u can just chill most of the time i reckon.. surfing utube and the likes... i could see myself doing that job.. rather then going for work every day at 7 am and having 3 weeks off every year..

[@user-ld8ep5qr7m]

Problem is, the age of the internet didn't really coincide with the age of the lighthouse, and it sounds like a lot of the lighthouses are automated now.

[@SvendleBerries]

It is very satisfying to listen to the sound of the sea rather than the usual loud (and distracting) royalty free music.

[@jerebuck]

No music! What a marvellous relief! It must take a singular kind of man to do this work: one who is neither claustrophobic nor agoraphobic, one who can sleep through the constant roaring of the sea, one who has no need to be entertained by comrades and can live independently mentally, despite sharing everything with two others. One who can stand fog horns going off every ten minutes and one who has endless patience and is happy to repeat everything he did yesterday, today. I have lived alone for 50 years now and am happy to do so, but I don't think I'd make a lighthouse keeper. Hats off to you, you do such admirable work.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for those kind words. I guess we were all of that. We did have our moments when clashes of personality reared it's ugly head. Luckily, those moments were rare. Thank you once again, stay safe and take care.

[@brianrussell4805]

I'm a 20 year Navy vet and I been fascinated with lighthouses and living and working at one. Thanks for sharing this. Cheers.

[@PeterHalil]

Glad you liked our efforts, I was in the Navy before the Lighthouses, take care,safe seas.

[@oneday7672]

What an utterly fantastic production - simple and uncut. Loved every part of it👍🏻

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your kind words, take care

[@sidewindersid4180]

As someone who has a fascinaton for lighthouses(and their history)and the life of a wickey, i really enjoyed this video. Its a glimpse into a way life that no longer exists. Many thanks Mr Halil.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much Sid, glad you liked it, Take care and stay safe

[@michaelhoran407]

So you have 3 Lister diesel engines to generate power to run everything. Today virtually no one would agree to work in such a facility.

[@pcb1962]

Fantastic insight into the past, thank you Peter for documenting this and for sharing it with us

[@PeterHalil]

Thanks glad you liked it.

[@heavenshuskywarriors3473]

Thank you for the footage of the history of the lighthouse. You saved countless lives no doubt 💖 and Teddy made an appearance too!

[@PeterHalil]

Lol, cheers mate, I was constantly amazed how many Keepers had a "Teddy" from their missus to keep an eye on them, take care.

[@bobbyrayofthefamilysmith24]

I'm a very solitary person with a quiet personality and introverted. I feel I wouldn't mind Bieng on a light house away from society and too many social interactions

[@PeterHalil]

I was too, very very shy so this was a dream job for me...then they posted me to a Land station where you had to take tourists up and down the Tower and talk to them and answer all the questions. Quite scarey at the beginning but slowly a new me evolved and the wife reckons I haven't stopped talking since! Lol, take care.

[@unaninanine3743]

@@PeterHalil 😂 The wife.

[@Ian-mj4pt]

Same here I'd be quite happy give me 2 cats as well I'm content

[@starsandstripesofcorruptio5524]

I have always had a fascination with lighthouses. I've collected hundreds and hundreds of little ones over my life. On my bucket list is spending time in a lighthouse far out to sea. Probably for a week or two anything past that I get cabin fever. Those men of decades and a century ago out there at the ends of the Earth as a welcome beacon from the dark depths of the oceans and also a bearer of goodwill and warning of the dangerous rocks near. I can't explain it better than that. Lighthouses are cool.

[@PeterHalil]

Sorry for the delay, lots of messages only found today. So glad you love Lighthouses and you explained Lighthouses and Keepers very well thanks. Take care, stay safe.

[@michellep1965]

Go look at Stannard Rock in Lake Superior. Beautiful and incredibly isolated. I don’t think I could do this.

[@lefroy1]

I've searched and waited for a film just like this to come along for years. In fact, at this late stage I'd rather given up hope that one would. Thank you Peter Halil, this is a unique and invaluable document.

[@PeterHalil]

Sorry for delay but lots of messages were hidden from me, Thanks a lot for your kind words, more videos to come, take care

[@lefroy1]

@@PeterHalil Thank YOU Peter. I shall look forward to your other videos. It was reading Stargazing: Memoirs of a Young Lighthouse Keeper by Peter Hill that piqued my interest. It has a lot of the romance about the profession and I'd recommend it to anyone.

[@adimeter]

@@PeterHalil Oh goodie, goodie. I'll be looking for Them!!!

[@auntkittyhashtag2321]

Hey Robbie, 74yr old female here. This video totally captivated me.You have such a cozy living quarters I could see myself in one of those bunks covered up with a pure down comforter and in the winter wool blankets. Such a peaceful scenario, snuggling down all peaceful and quiet AHHHH what a life. BTW you are a very handsome man if I may say so. Blessings to you and your family.

[@noneck8166]

Woooooooo!!!......you go Aunt Kitty!! Boom chicka wow wow!

[@robbiegoldsmith8727]

Hi Aunt Kitty, Well I am now a 75 years old and not handsome anymore. Pity you didn't find one of my messages in a bottle. Take care. Robbie.

[@41magfan]

I'm impressed with the men that built the lighthouse.

[@PeterHalil]

Me too, real men then. That would be a brilliant movie for somebody to make.

[@xvdd1]

@@PeterHalil Thank you for uploading this I am always fascinated by the technical details and I am pleased you took the trouble to provide a window into the manned lighthouse days. There is an interesting drama/doc made about the trials and tribulations of building the Bell Rock lighthouse which might interest you :- www.dailymotion.com/video/xr5mk2

[@MrRobziee]

xvdd1 well done and informative!

[@edibleresource7753]

There's a bit of history regarding lighthouses here- specifically the Eddystone lighthouse and its history, why it was made et cetera. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h57Vm6KBf5mma5o

[@AGNETHAFALTSK0G]

Where did crew go to smoke?

[@robinwoodbury2563]

Thank you Peter for sharing with us a bygone career, craft and way of life. That fact saddens me. I'm so glad you spared us the high production values and background music and let us hear and see the unceasing waves, the diesel engines and the gulls. Your video enlightened me on many lighthouse myths like the fact that there was a 'crew' at all and not just a solitary lighthouse keeper. I imagine before the advent of diesel engines there must have been something akin to a giant clock mechanism to spin the lens through the night. This work exemplifies the best KZbin has to offer us. With Appreciation, Robin

[@PeterHalil]

Grief, I'm really getting a "Big Head"now Ha!, thank you for your lovely comments and yes I don't like to put any other sound in my movies than that which was there.I tried to do exactly what you said, I wanted people to get a feel for it plus of course it was a heavy dose of nostalgia for me. Yes again the lights used to be driven by a big brass cogged clockwork motor that drove the huge lenses round by means of a wire with a heavy weight attached slowly going down the tower inside a big metal tube passing through the center of all the rooms in old photos. when it reached the bottom, it would ring a bell and the keeper would wind it back up again about once an hour all through the night.Cheers Robin, take care.

[@thekaiser7555]

Agreed Robin. The absence of music gave the video one of the most calming, therapeutic, and relaxing video I have ever seen on KZbin. This video requires some type of award!

[@robinwoodbury2563]

@@thekaiser7555 Apparently Peter did get an award for this, and well deserved at that.

[@aidans6257]

This is so ahead of it's time! It's as though when you filmed this 27 years ago that you knew you would have the opprtunity to share it so widely. I just find it incredible that you were making this 'vlog' when I was a teenager. It's gone now, I know, but I could live this way of life.Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for your kind words, glad you liked it, and our way of life that we enjoyed. Cheers, Stay safe and take care

[@daphneraven6745]

Peter Halil: thank you very kindly for this beautiful production. Such an important contribution to society, in documenting it for all posterity. I enjoyed it immensely, in fact it’s quite a bit after midnight, but I couldn’t tear myself away until I saw the end of it. I was really surprised as to how very much like a home it was. So many intelligent ideas packed into so few cubic meters. Everything was beautiful and tidy and clean, and not in the least cluttered. And of course it certainly was home half the time. I certainly hope that it’s maintained just as the crew left it. Very few people Who have never had the privilege to see the inside of a lighthouse would expect it to be as it was.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for your kind comments, so glad that you enjoyed it. I very much doubt that it has been preserved as is in the movie. A lot were converted to solar etc, and the insides changed forever, a shame that progress and preservation don't always meet in the middle. Thanks once again, stay safe.

[@kaydoubleyou4316]

In Michigan we can get a lighthouse on our license plates for a few extra dollars. Some of that money goes to preserve our historic lighthouses along the Great Lakes. I smile every time I see one. Excellent video!

[@texleeger8973]

John Smith goes for juggler. "Humor" falls flat. From top of lighthouse.

[@TempoDrift1480]

Yeah about 3 cents of it. Shits a scam as per usual with Michigan.

[@PeterHalil]

Sounds like a great idea, thanks for liking the video.

[@burnsmybritches5857]

Fellow northern Michigander here. I have visited quite a few lighthouses that we have in this, thee greatest state in the country!!!!!!!

[@SuperOlds88]

I used to fish at the base of the lighthouse at the mouth of the St. Joe River 55+ years ago.

[@keng3328]

Great video!! My Great Grandfather started as an apprentice at the Point Atkinson Lighthouse in West Vancouver in 1888. He took it over in 1910 and had it until his death in 1934. My Grandfather took over until June 1935. Again, great video. Thanks so much. Ken Grafton

[@PeterHalil]

Grief that's some good History you've got in your family there, so there must be some salt water coursing through your veins somewhere. Thanks for your comments and take care.cheers.

[@philsooty5421]

157 years old built to last, very interesting thanks for uploading, PS love the message in a bottle

[@PeterHalil]

Cheers, and Robbie has had lots of replies from around the world to his messages in bottles.

[@adimeter]

@@PeterHalil Awe, that's wonderful.

[@mekomaidengirlgaming2439]

I am just fascinated by lighthouses I’ve never seen one in real life tho there look and they seem magical to me and mysterious I always want to see one I hope I will see a lighthouse up close some day or even see it at all

[@PeterHalil]

Thanks for your interest and I hope you get to see a Lighthouse someday,take care

[@mekomaidengirlgaming2439]

Oh my gosh I went to battery point lighthouse in crescent city CA. It was amazing I’m going to go on a tour of it too I can’t wait ! Have to go at low tide at high tide the path is covered it’s gonna be wonderful !

[@PeterHalil]

@@mekomaidengirlgaming2439 enjoy your tour when you get there, stay safe

[@mekomaidengirlgaming2439]

Peter Halil I will thank you I’ll stay safe and after this lighthouse I know what I’m gonna do I’m gonna go see others and travel the world when I’m older and actually out of school but for now I’m happy battery point is the first one i see!

[@wisenber]

I appreciate the service these men provided. Imagine what the men that built it went through!

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, and yes they built a stronger braver man in those construction days.I always wondered how many died building these places.

[@GrassPossum]

What I was thinking about all through it too.

[@wisenber]

@@PeterHalil I don't believe lives were valued as much then compared to costs. That being said, I don't know how building such a structure in a location like that could ever be very safe.

[@PeterHalil]

@@wisenber They used to have a Lighthouse Museum in Penzance Cornwall that had a mock up of the Granite blocks they used. Each one would would notch/lock into the others to give it great strength and they became one as it were. But just starting the 1st row and trying to get up high enough before a storm came and took all your work away! Hats off to them, brilliant.

[@wisenber]

@@PeterHalil Just imagine the process of offloading granite blocks with the breaking waves all around. Then think about what the sea water temperature was when they were getting soaked all day. I spent a couple of years doing commercial fishing off the Alaskan coast. I was colder there than any snow covered mountain I've visited. They were a sturdy breed of men.

[@jackking5567]

Literally stumbled upon this! I was a fisherman and so have huge appreciation for the lighthouses. Posting a video this way is the best as far as I'm concerned. It's not done for 'likes' and is simply recording things how they were - to have the foresight and do it is awesome. How I wished I'd done similar things, even just photos, at places I've worked. A lot of effort went into this. Thank you.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your kind words, although I must admit I always felt "Special", because it was a job not many people did, however when a big blow came I was safe inside a fortress of a granite tower whilst the likes of people like you were on a boat made of stuff not meant to float being thrown all over the place. I could never have done your job. Cheers mate, take care.

[@spikespa5208]

This just came up on my recommended list also. This is what KZbin is really good for. A great boon for the armchair traveler. Many thanks for making and posting the video. My hat's off to all keepers.

[@PeterHalil]

@@spikespa5208 Thank you very much, more to follow, cheers.

[@dickpful]

very cool video guys, thanks. always liked lighthouses

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, glad you liked it.

[@jamesfriery]

Excellent and educational. Now our lighthouses are independent of the human touch this video will keep us reminded of the hard work it takes to have been a lighthouse keeper.

[@PeterHalil]

Thanks for the kind words James, glad you liked the video, cheers.

[@wjatube]

Great choice of no music. So many producers think they're adding beauty but they end up covering nature. I find music reminds me I am not there. Ambient sights and sounds makes me feel I am in the same room. Well done.

[@bradenwoods1111]

Exactly hey! this would have been ruined with music

[@paulburley7993]

So true!! I'm tired of barely hearing dialogue because of swelling fucking music.

[@roadracer247]

100% agree

[@paulburley7993]

@@masterspacetime2826 I'll have to check that one out! Never occurred to me. Cheers.

[@PeterHalil]

Sorry for the delay in responding but only just finding lots of messages that snuck through without notifying me, that said, Thank you for your comments I wanted people to feel the life as we the Keepers lived it so I'm well pleased that most of you liked it, cheers mate.

[@IanGeorge88]

Fantastic place. It is a ham radio operator heaven!.

[@tompinnef6331]

Would have loved to been stationed on one with my Collins KWM-2A gear and a good tuner.

[@IanGeorge88]

@@tompinnef6331 qsl- 73's

[@robbiegoldsmith8727]

I operated an SSB station from there for several years and became a popular contact from stations all over the world. I was in the Alpha Tango Group and as you know Guernsey was prefix 169 73's and 88's Ian and tom.

[@annahkurtin9665]

Lighthouses are in my heart.

[@PeterHalil]

Guess what Annah, mine too, take care. Lots more to follow.

[@bradenwoods1111]

Oh neat a lighthouse tour! Ill just watch a few minutes...here I am almost an hour later wanting more! Great film Peter!

[@PeterHalil]

Thanks for your brilliant reaction, take care mate.

[@jumpnrun3368]

Same :)

[@PeterWalkerHP16c]

What a life!!! Snug inside - rain pelting, wind howling, sea thundering.

[@muskrat477]

And a few books = heaven

[@elonmust7470]

& a cannabis plant

[@banjopete]

Peter Walker ,condensation dribbling.

[@PeterHalil]

Cheers it certainly was a great place to be.

[@glynndavies6170]

And a bunch of fog horns going off every minute

[@PenTangleify]

I'm a trainee skipper with a fascination for maritime history. Just got into lighthouses, and your channel is fantastic, thank you!

[@PeterHalil]

Hi Rowan, Thank you for your kind words, glad you like my channel, welcome aboard, safe winds and calm seas.

[@kohedunn]

I have so enjoyed watching this program of you life on this lighthouse.... All new to me , and utterly absorbing ...Thank you so much for all that you do...

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it, cheers.

[@bluesmonkey4463]

Fantastic ! I thoroughly enjoyed learning and seeing what these brave men have done to protect our ships from harm they all deserve a medal ! A great film that shows every day life and work on a light House.😊

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much. I hope other Keepers get to read your message too. Cheers and stay safe.

[@johnmurray3956]

What a great little doco. Thank you so much for putting it together. It must have blown Robbie away to have come across this as he did.. :)

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, Yes I think he did, it's been a bit like stepping back in time for all of us.

[@johnmurray3956]

@@PeterHalil Thanks for taking the time to reply Peter. Please, no need to reply again to this but since I have the ear of a real life Keeper, I'd like to say that in all my years (47 now) I have had a serious curiosity of life lived on a lighthouse..Of course with the iconic 1989 picture of "La Jument", which you may or may not be happy about, it just intensifies my curiosity. I wonder what it is that causes someone like me to have a feeling like this? Possibly an ignorant romance. Who knows? Regardless, your group of videos have been some of the best things I have ever saw in years and answered some of my long winded curiosity. Personally, I think you, Robbie and all the other Keepers are some of the luckiest people in the World to have experienced this position... I do realise of course that some of you just saw this as work and that life may not have been so romantic.... Thanks from this Scot in Australia

[@PeterHalil]

@@johnmurray3956 Thank you very much, you hit the nail on the head there with some Keepers just doing a job but that said, me and the vast majority of the others loved it, I only ever met a couple of the ones that it seemed wasted on. Yes we were very lucky to have done that job. So glad people like you are enjoying these videos of a life that once was.Take care mate down under, cheers

[@lolayancey3626]

You two are very brave men! HEROS to my mind! God bless you both and the photographer too who was brave enough to stay there with you for a month!

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for you kind comments, I hope the other 2 Keepers see this, Oh, and the photographer, which is me was also a working Lighthouse Keeper, I did the movie making in my spare time. Thanks once again, take care.

[@lolayancey3626]

Peter Halil You are very welcome! I mean what I said sincerely!

[@arjovenzia]

Very much appreciated. No need for artificial 'dramaficaction'. Thanks for letting us see.

[@PeterHalil]

Thanks, so glad you liked it, stay safe

[@tdavis7878]

Truly delightful. Reminiscent, nostalgic, honest. I love it! Thank you for the time you served and for recording, storing, editing, and posting for the world to see the magic of the inner workings of a lighthouse. I enjoyed every moment.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you so much for those very kind comments. So glad you enjoyed our video record. Take care and stay safe.

[@jane1975]

Great video thanks for sharing it and nice to hear the old fog signal too [ although not so nice for you as you were trying to get some sleep], just a puny beep today which is not quite the same :( Those crabs looked tasty, I hope that they were. Much love and respect to all the Lighthouse keepers and organisations of Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board, Irish Lights and all lighthouse authorities across world, for keeping our waters as safe as possible.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your kind words.The fog horn was bad for me that day because it was my 1st day there, a new sound to get used to, had been travelling all day the day before, head was banging!....Only took a short while to get used to after that. Robbie took those crabs home so I didn't get to taste those ones. I don't like the new fog horn sounds either, take care.

[@sniffadoghq]

Beautifully done and thoroughly informative. Thank you for your service and such a wonderfully immersive experience! Thank you Peter and crew.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for your kind words and so glad you liked our efforts, cheers, stay safe and take care.

[@sniffadoghq]

@@PeterHalil You too take care and stay safe all. Will definitely be subscribing. Thanks again

[@nancysmith2295]

I enjoyed this video. I'm 63 years old. Things have changed. I wouldn't be surprised if this light is automated now. Beautiful lens. Marine life uses every bit of space possible without encroaching too much on necessary living space. The crab meal from tide pooling was terrific!

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much. Yes I think we could have fed ourselves just from the sea there. All the lights are automated now. Thanks again, take care.

[@KenBlackRifleAmerica]

Hello Peter, what a wonderful video documenting the day to day life of the 'Keeps'.... How awesome to see the daily events that were done out there. It was not all staring out at the rolling seas! It seems there was always something to do! Thank you for the foresight and putting it on film. Cheers!

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for liking it, sorry for delay but a mass of messages went walk about into cyber space and I'm slowly discovering them! there is more footage of other lights and keepers coming, take care

[@joeh1687]

Lighthouses have always been one of my favorite things in the World. I never realized how much work is involved in keeping one going. Thank you so much for sharing the video, it was very interesting. Well done. Joe

[@tornadokat]

Light house lenses are a beautiful functioning work of art.

[@CruisesAndNavigation]

I have no words to explain our gratitude about this job and this amazing documentary! Thank you for this video for posterity and our heritage! You are really heroes! Thank you!

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you ever so much for your very kind words. I hope that other ex Lighthouse Keepers get to see them. We enjoyed making our Lighthouse "Documentary", so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks again and stay safe.

[@flashcracker1]

Very interesting, thanks. I love seeing the tasks carried out at the base of the lighthouse with no life jackets being worn! Ah, the days before health and safety.

[@PeterHalil]

Haha, we did lots of stuff back then that would make health and safety scream.

[@phrayzar]

What a fantastic document of a world no longer here. Thank you to all the keepers and crew that kept our seas safe for so long and for adding to our maritime history.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your kind words, and we enjoyed every minute, cheers.

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

Thank You Peter . This took me away into a World of Keeping People at Sea Safe and alot of the Maintenance and Upkeep of a Lighthouse , I would like to Hope there is always a Light in the distance to bring Men Home . It is interesting to see the Charts and Graphs and to Know Men have to Read these to Keep Up on what has been going on , Liked and Shared :) QC

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you Quaalude, much appreciated, and yes, we all need to hope that too, take care.

[@aljurje]

Thank you so much for uploading this video. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@PeterHalil]

You are welcome, so glad you liked it.

[@jonathanlanglois2742]

To think that even in the 1990, all of that stuff was being done manually. Incredible.

[@PeterHalil]

Yes it wasn't really till they got the ability to control Lighthouses over the air waves via computers, that hastened our demise.

[@brokenhat1]

Thank You for not adding music.Nothing worse than trying to listen to commentary and just absorb the environment in the video when there are orchestra crecendos blatting in the background. Thanks Much for the great impressions!

[@PeterHalil]

Thanks for your comments, cheers. I'm the same that's the main reason why I don't put any in my movies, or at least try not to.

[@keiths1864]

What a fascinating video! Loved it, thank you for sharing this bit of history Peter.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you Keith, glad you liked it, take care and stay safe.

[@davidmarkwell1487]

Beautiful. Authentic story telling. So original.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, glad you liked it.

[@wanderer7755]

What a fascinating film it flew by Peter I could have watched for another hour! I have always been interested in lighthouses, I only took my young kids up Portland Bill a week ago for their very first lighthouse visit then suddenly this video pops up! Cheers

[@PeterHalil]

Sorry for the delay only just finding lots of hidden unanswered messages. Grief Portland Bill is a high climb to the top, hope they all enjoyed it, thanks for your comments, cheers and take care.

[@wanderer7755]

You're welcome thanks for the kind reply and for your service Peter. If you have any more footage please share!

[@cumberl4nd]

An intriguing and fascinating insight into your way of life. A lost vocation as a result of automation. Thank you for putting this on.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for that, so glad you liked our efforts, cheers

[@arthurlewis9193]

This would be paradise for me - can I express my relief that I'm not the only one after reading so many similar comments.

[@PeterHalil]

No you aren't the only one I think there are a lot of would be Lighthouse Keepers out there.cheers mate.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Really enjoyed the film. Very remote looking out to sea but kinda peaceful but also noisey too with the motors running.

[@PeterHalil]

thanks and yes all of those things are true, cheers.

[@adimeter]

Exactly. Would have been too much for me.

[@santhiperiaswami7670]

Thank you Peter. Great video. Looks like you enjoyed the job. Amazing!!!!

[@PeterHalil]

I really did enjoy my job yes, not many days without an inward glow, cheers

[@santhiperiaswami7670]

Glad you did Peter. Will buy books on lighthouses to know more. Thank you

[@chucknovy7694]

This is fantastic! I live in Midwest USA and visit Door County, Wisconsin often. My favorite part is touring the lighthouses. When I do that it just feels right. I think in a previous life I was a lighthouse keeper. Thank you for the awesome video!

[@PeterHalil]

Hi Chazz, glad you liked my video, and who knows perhaps you are right about your previous life, take care

[@chucknovy7694]

@@PeterHalil Thanks and you as well!

[@worldtraveller1019]

I always wanted to know how it was like to live in a Light house, beautifully filmed with no distraction of music! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! Hope you are doing well!

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for that, I tried to make it so you could almost be with us and feel it more, the relentless sea etc. So glad you liked it, Take care and stay safe, so far I'm Ok thanks.

[@robc5955]

Fantastic snapshot in time, think they are all automated now, thanks so much for taking the time to put on YT for us all.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much and yes they are all automated now.

[@billchapel3194]

You did a great job with this video, and no music, i cant thank you enough, most videos on KZbin have music so loud you cant even here or understand what they are talking about anyway, thanks for the upload.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you Bill for the very kind words, so glad you enjoyed it. I hoped that people that see my videos would feel it a bit better with just the natural sound effects, cheers and stay safe.

[@nutsmcflurry3737]

Now we know what it's like living in a vertical submarine.

[@PeterHalil]

Ha, exactly what I used to think, cheers

[@ThePaulv12]

I was just going to say that but thought I'd scroll through the comments first lest I be accused of plagiarism lol.

[@kevg3320]

I'm a retired submariner and at no time in my career when, during either 'angles and dangles' (planesman training, drills etc) or the occasional emergency surface, did I ever think that this extreme bow up/down angle made me feel I was in a lighthouse!! Funnily enough, my old fellah was a Keeper, served on The Bishop, Wolf, Longships, Strumble Head, Eddystone, Strumble Head, Flatholm and 1 or 2 others I think. Furthermore, my 2nd cousin 3x rem. was RT Grenfell who was the Principal Keeper at St Catherines on the Isle of Wight, sadly killed by a Luftwaffe air raid along with the other 2 Keepers in 1943.

[@PeterHalil]

@@kevg3320 Hi, what was your Dads name please also as a matter of coincidence or what a small world, I was a keeper for a few years at St Catherines and visited the Keepers graves up in Niton churchyard. Oh and one of the Keepers in this movie in his interview I did says it's a bit like living in an upright submarine !..take care.

[@allanwoods783]

My Mrs applied for a job that was posted as Light House work. She thought she was going to do some cleaning . But found herself a mile out in the English Channel

[@annakeye]

*+Peter Halil* Thanks so much for taking the time to record and share this document. I have always had an odd love of lighthouses and as a kid, I always wanted to live in one. Seeing the Hanois reminds me just how phenomenal an engineering feat such structures are, from a design and of course, from a human effort point of view. Cheers.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, I've only just discovered this message. A brilliant book i'm just finishing is "The Red Rocks of the Eddystone" by Fred Majdalany. It goes into great detail of building a Lighthouse on reefs out to sea, still available as second hand book, worth a read, cheers.

[@rhiangraham4973]

Lighthouses are so cool these guys are very fortunate to be able to still work in this house ...

[@battleboozex]

Fascinating video. I don't know if I'd go stir crazy in light house or not, but I can see how it would have it's ups and downs. ;) I'm glad I had a chance to watch this, I found it very relaxing and entertaining.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, and yes you would know pretty quickly if it was for you or not.

[@mattreid859]

I was going to say that you should have been given an award for this - but then saw that you had been! It's an excellent film and gives a real impression of the work, the life, the place and the people. You should be well proud of this! Cheers.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much, I really enjoyed all my Lighthouse videoing,and it kept me focused away from my impending redundancy at that time.

[@Karl-Benny]

Awards are given so they dont have to pay them

[@PeterHalil]

@@Karl-Benny So so true!..Lol

[@JeepNutAus]

It takes a particularly Dim individual to dislike such a production

[@sonofeloah]

@shinukism shnuck Only in your imagination. I imagine that after a couple of weeks out there you would have jumped off and drowned yourself. You simply would not have the heart or stamina for such a life.

[@geordie1032]

absolutely agree with you

[@kgbeezr75]

Oh, I like what you did there...dim, unlike the subject. Yes indeed. :)

[@thekaiser7555]

Agreed.

[@kennethrisner8648]

agreed

[@simonrichardson5077]

Great video,thanks

[@PeterHalil]

thank you, glad you liked it.

[@ohioguy215]

Excellent and insightful... Thank you to all who made this possible and let us share a part of your life.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@jumpnrun3368]

Thank you for the insight of long gone times! Really enjoyed it.

[@PeterHalil]

Glad you enjoyed it, take care.

[@yorkshireoutdoorsmen2746]

Just descovered this. What a pure nostalgic gem. So sad to see the demise of the great british lighthouse in the true sense of the word.Thanks for sharing.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your kind words, much appreciated. Stay safe.

[@angelreading5098]

Excellent record for posterity,always was fascinated by lighthouses.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, stay safe.

[@khutt19]

Fascinating,really enjoyed the film.I spent all my life at sea,RN,and then mostly on drilling rigs and drill ships.Watchkeeping engineer,8-10 20 cylinder engines on some,but doing a watch all the same.Although there were lots of people onboard a drillship,I enjoyed the solitude of being alone in an engine room or control room.There is something hypnonising about the sea,and fire,when we were flaring gas one could watch the fire and not realize the time passing,but alas,no more.Much respect to you sir.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for the kind comments , glad you enjoyed the video. You seem to have had a very interesting life as well, Take care and stay safe.

[@tompinnef6331]

Thank you for this great video. Thank you for your service and giving us a look into your life on a Lighthouse. I was a firefighter and saw many changed in my 35 years of service. So many changes that 'progress' (some good some bad) has changed so many great jobs.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you, sometimes progress is all about giving and sometimes all about taking away. I'm just waiting for all the chaos up and down the country when thousands of electric cars are stranded during mid journey! Lol

[@soulstealer666morningstar2]

I always wanted to be a lighthouse keeper , alas I was born to late the job no longer exists. Thank you for the vid and much respect

[@funkydozer]

Same.

[@davidm3maniac201]

Me as well.

[@levitan71]

same for me.

[@PeterHalil]

thanks mate, take care

[@GoogleUser-yj1wy]

It does still exist in Ireland, my father looks after 2 lighthouses,been doing it over 30 years now, itss not a full time job tho, just a few days a week average, maintaining, monitoring etc

[@kelsogray]

Thank you for uploading this. I really enjoyed it. I've always loved lighthouses.

[@PeterHalil]

Glad you enjoyed it, lots more to come, cheers.

[@Garwulf74]

Excellent look at a way of life being lost to automation. MUCH Respect to those who chose this way of life!!

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your kind words, take care.

[@oblivion8819]

Got high and randomly watched this, and now here I am, at the end lol

[@trishturner5887]

Lmao. Weed? Or something stronger?

[@cvsdigital]

Superb stuff from a guy who understood how to let the pictures tell the story.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@ajaxa9]

As the architect for the restoration of the Saugerties Lighthouse on the Hudson River (USA) I obtained a grant to do a video of its history from 1834 as well as documenting our restoration. The first keeper found the lighthouse too small and rented it out to a local who set up a liquor sales shop. Our village was the center of many early industries so the enterprising fellow did a landslide business. An outraged official from Washington, DC rode all the way by horseback to fire the keeper and restore order. (The video is shown on the :Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast website) Great job, Peter. Thanks for your hard work and wonderful videos.

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much, I've located the Lighthouse and found the web site so shall have a good look. Well done you with your efforts. It seems like the USA care more about preserving their History than I found here. I couldn't get any grants at all. I kept getting things like, " You are in a grey area you are neither land or Maritime" Good on you for getting yours, I had to self fund, hence the waiting 20 odd years to get it digitized to be able to edit it. Still it's getting done now and most people that respond seem to like it. Anyway, keep safe, take care.

[@ajaxa9]

@@PeterHalil Peter, it was a very small token grant which basically just paid for the final DVD copies which we used to help defray the costs. The Elaine and I donated our services - a lengthy labor of love. BTW its listed on the lighthouse web site as documentary under "history" a bit hard to find.

[@PeterHalil]

@@ajaxa9 Thanks I will try and find it, take care.

[@eliquate]

I have anxiety, and this was PERFECT. Thank you for sharing.

[@PeterHalil]

Glad you liked it, take care and stay safe.

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

Hats off to all who served. Speechless... Well done documentary. From the United States of America 🇺🇸

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you for your very kind words, hi to you across the pond, take care.

[@PeterHalil]

@Bains Broadcasting LTD. Hi it is 36 metres or 118 feet, cheers.

[@perrinayebarra]

Absolutely amazing. Thank you for filming this and releasing it for us all.

[@PeterHalil]

Thanks glad you enjoyed it, more to come.

[@AGNETHAFALTSK0G]

Does the lighthouse move in the wind ?

[@jgentry7201]

Thank you for the education.

[@PeterHalil]

Glad you liked it, take care.

[@ChangesOneTim]

Fantastic film. Thank you! If only more 'documentaries' could be like this, without needing to act up for the camera and spend minutes talking about very little at all in answer to banal questions.... Looks like sheer pride and joy in your work, a labour of love. Self-sufficiency in seafood must have been the best perk of the job!

[@PeterHalil]

Thank you very much for your kind comments. Yes, none of us are actors, no scripts. Just tried to give you all the "feel" of what our life was like on a Lighthouse. Cheers and stay safe