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Saturday, October 12, 2013

South Mole Lighthouse



See the lighthouse in the distance? That's the South Mole lighthouse. Looks pretty far...but when I walked there the other day, it was actually quite accessible! A half-hour walk (with lots of stopping to take pics) and I was right at the base of the lighthouse! 

Before I start with my journey to the South Mole lighthouse...here's a pic of an old piano in the Whaler's Tunnel, under the Roundhouse! It's quite a pleasant surprise. I tried the piano and it was kinda stiff, but still worked well! There was lots of dust though. I think it's been put there for quite some time...




Walked around the beach for a while...and ended up getting splashed by waves! Fortunately I rolled up my jeans this time, so it wasn't too bad. Jeans ended up being dried by the sun anyway.








While walking along the beach, I found this road, and the gates were open. So I decided to explore it further. Some people were driving through this road - so I immediately guessed it was a public area. Besides, there didn't seem to be any signs indicating that the gates will be closed...

Quite a number of cars were coming in as well, so instead of walking on the main road, I went on the rocks. Hopped, skipped and jumped instead of walked.







The Western Australian Maritime Museum - from a different perspective! The last time I was at the WA Maritime Museum, I went to the back of the building.

This time, I saw the harbour and its surroundings! The WA Maritime Museum really stood out!







Found some rusty shipping equipment along the way too. I guess this road was used for shipping and heavy industrial work, but now it's been converted into a carpark...






Check out the rocky shores...and my destination in the distance! The green lighthouse at the end of the road is the South Mole lighthouse...and I was surprised at how easy it was to get there.




After about 10-15 minutes of walking and enjoying the sea breeze (and sun of course!), mission accomplished! I finally reached the place I'd been wanting to go for ages! The South Mole lighthouse.

The lighthouse was actually built in 1903 - as part of the development of Fremantle Harbour. It was deliberately painted green with a green light to guide ships into the harbour. It stands at 15 metres tall...and was designed by C Y O'Connor, who also oversaw the construction of the Fremantle Harbour. His innovations and creativity have paid off - Fremantle Harbour remains a very busy, bustling place for ships to dock safely.




More details of the South Mole lighthouse. The door was locked so I couldn't go up the lighthouse. Didn't see anyone at the top of the lighthouse either.






There're some speculations that the smaller buildings around the lighthouse were built as gun defence posts during World War II to protect Fremantle against possible invasions.






Behind the South Mole lighthouse - rocky shores...and the open sea.




The tiny structure in the distance is the North Mole lighthouse - painted red. The North Mole lighthouse was installed slightly later than the South Mole lighthouse, and it has a red light to guide ships. The two lighthouses are pretty much identical to each other, apart from the colour of the structure and the location.




Was walking back to the beach when I met a really nice middle-aged dude who came here to fish. Apparently this area was a popular spot for fishing...and that probably explained why there were so many people coming in. I saw some setting up their fishing lines and equipment. The sea was choppy though.

It was getting a little chilly, so I slowly walked back to the beach...but kept looking back at the lighthouse, and saw it go further and further away...until it finally was obscured from view.











Part of the Roundhouse...and the rising tide. Before I left the beach, it was low tide. And now, the tide was getting higher.







And that marks the end of the South Mole walk. It was a really good way for me to relax...and it was such a pleasant surprise for me too.

Oh - I should also mention that I went back to Pasta Addiction cafe for a bite. I wanted to go back for quite a while, but didn't get to do so due to university commitments. But when the study break started, I immediately went back there!






My first spaghetti bolognaise in at least 1 year! I actually refrained from eating beef (for various reasons) for quite a long time, and this was probably the first time in 1-2 years that I had beef!

The spaghetti bolognaise was really yummy! Took some time getting used to the beef though...






Strolled around the Notre Dame University area (where Pasta Addiction cafe was situated!)...before heading off to the Roundhouse and other places I intended to go to.





And that's it for today! More pics coming up soon! Do stay tuned!