100WC Week 3 - Tsunami

He had known for hours that it was coming. Earlier on, the radio had announced that an Earthquake, miles below the Atlantic Ocean had created a tsunami. It would take five hours to reach Ireland. Bravely the lighthouse keeper had stayed in his cabin to keep the last few cargo ships safe.
Looking out of the top window, he saw the wave coming – powerful, controlling, dangerous and fierce.
As he braced himself for impact, his life flashed before his eyes. Had he done the right thing? Too late to leave now! He had known for hours that it was coming…

100WC Week 3 - Survival!

Without warning, the sky darkens! Thunder roars, lightning flashes and the wind whistles. Waves roar, crash and collide against my tiny wooden boat. Beating rain sweeping onto my face, I hold on for dear life. In the distance, a faint glow from a lighthouse is shining on the dark, rough sea. Will anyone see me? Will anyone come? Will anyone rescue me? As night falls, with no rescue imminent, devastating realization kicks in. There is nothing beyond the water except the profound discouragement of the sky. Eventually the storm breaks… I survived. The boat is battered and bruised. So am I.

100WC Week 3 - The Lonely Lighthouse

Like a predator preparing to pounce on their prey, the mighty ripples of ocean suck back inhaling the night air. Then...smash! Smashing fiercely against the rocks, the waves roar at anything in their path. Destruction, devastation and disaster mark the place of attack (the once beautiful coastline). Bravely watching the twilight storm-at the edge of the rocks-stands a lonely lighthouse. All alone with nothing but the cloudy air for company, the once burning source of light now dimly flickers through the sprays of water...weakly flickers through the misty air...flickers in hope of comforting companion.

100WC Week 3 - Lighthouse Facts

Did you know the very first lighthouses often occurred naturally? Sailors occasionally used landmarks (like glowing volcanoes) to guide them around the coasts. Eventually it was realized how useful it would be to position man made lighthouses as warning signals – wooden boats were easy prey for sharp, submerged and jagged rocks.

One of the most impressive lighthouses was the stunning Pharos of Alexandria. According to written records, it was tall… incredibly tall (the height of a 45-story skyscraper)! Perched atop it was an open fire – a bright, searing and scorching source of light.

Consequently, people studying lighthouses are called Pharologists.

100WC Week 3 - The Storm

Waves crashed and slapped vigorously around the shore. In the distance the swirling, swishing and salty sea glides through the air reaching as high as the peak of the lighthouse.

Guiding my boat away from the shore the sea drags me back towards it like a beast. Frothing, spitting, and swirling the coast edges closer.

The boat sways from side to side the power of the waves becoming unstoppable. The waves crashing against the rocks and the wind whistling past my ears were the least of my worries. Tightening the sail, I could see the gloomy sky… a storm is pending.

100WC Week 3 - The Lone Sentinel

Solemnly the sentinel stood, surveying the battlefield. All around the enemy was massing its ranks. On a murky, menacing and blustery night who knew when the attack would come?

Slowly, threateningly the thunderous noise rolled closer. A thousand hooves galloping in unison charged his position. Could one lone warrior, however brave, withstand such an assault? Drawing nearer the white stallions reared up, trying desperately to overwhelm the defences. Leaning stoically into the melee the sentry stood firm. Battered from every side, the onslaught was relentless. And then… redemption.

Golden reinforcements flooded in. The battle was over… the port was safe!

100WC Week 3 - The Rescue

Gripping the long, wooden oars, Elisabeth heaved the boat away from the mooring and pushed out into the sea. Would she be able to reach the stricken vessel in time? Could her small frame overpower the towering waves? Might the sailors sink beneath the surface? All around her the sea was swirling, sucking, foaming and frothing. Like a grey beast writhing in pain it lurched high up into the air before crashing down over her tiny boat. She gritted her teeth. She wiped the salt spray from her eyes and rowed on. Elisabeth knew that she was their last hope...