11th Dec.: Santa at Calshot

National NCI had requested “Christmassy” images from the stations and my fellow watchkeeper on Sunday 8th December had brought along a Santa together with a Christmas cracker and sock with the idea of taking a suitable photo. However it was damp and very windy outside and inside Stone Point I could not see how to arrange a photo to include an NCI association. I borrowed the props with the idea of waiting for a better day… the Santa is a family heirloom so it was at threat of death if anything happened to him!

In the event the weather for the whole of the following week was unremitting anticyclonic gloom so a took Santa (very carefully packaged) up Calshot Tower together with an augmented set of props, some white-tack, and some lolly sticks, and arranged a Christmas still-life on one of the large binoculars.

I needed a ship in the scene and assumed I’d use a ferry. However a tanker was coming very slowly through the precautionary area and was even joined out there by two of the Esso tugs in addition to the one on the stern; we thought she might have some sort of equipment failure. You can see her in the photo, and the drizzle on the windows almost gives the effect of snow!

As well as the two duty watchkeepers there was a trainee in the Tower who took a photo of me creating the still-life.  I’m glad to say that Santa survived intact and has been returned to the owner!