I was nearly on my way
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340019)
Rockingham, Australia
December 17, 2016 7:01pm CST
Vince read out something yesterday that came up on a FB site. Someone is looking for two people to spend six months on Maatsuyker Island which is about 10 kilometres off the south-west coast of Tasmania. They will be looking after a light-house.
Whoever takes it on has to take weather observations twice a day. This involves walking up a steep incline and it may be gusting up to 176 kph. The island has rain on roughly 250 days a year. However, the light-house itself is automated. Those taking on the position need to take six months worth of food with them.
The island is an important habitat for short-tailed shearwaters and a breeding area for marine mammals such as fur and elephant seals. It is about 3 kms long and 1 ½ kms wide.
There is no internet or email and limited communication via other means. Apparently a lot of time is spent fixing things that are damaged by the high winds. If I was a few decades younger, I'd be off like shot but I'd probably have to drag Vince. He's always been a bit more practical than me. Would six months on a remote island appeal to you?
I don't have a photo of a light-house, not that I can find anyway but this photo is from Tasmania. There are some fantastic photo opportunities there.
Photo copyright Vince Evans
35 people like this
30 responses
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
18 Dec 16
Winds up to 176 kph and no internet, does not sound very appealing unless the pay makes it all worthwhile. What kind of salary are they offering?
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
18 Dec 16
@JudyEv I guess we have different interests. 
2 people like this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
18 Dec 16
I bet you won't last very long there if money is the sole consideration, you would most probably get sick that type of work needs some kind of dedication.
that type of work needs some kind of dedication.3 people like this
@kevinakash (2084)
• Sri Lanka
18 Dec 16
i would like to. but not for six months. one week is more than enough
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
19 Dec 16
if'n i t'was younger'n could withstand the elements, i'd sure be game! though they might frown 'pon me bringin' my herd. yepperz, i'm purty certain that since such's a sanctuary they'd deny me straight 'way. 109 mile per hour winds, eh? dang, sounds like spring time here!
then 'gain, i dunno if'n i could hang my hat fer 6 months where 't rained that oft?? i might go stark ravin' mad 'n decide i can fly...
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
19 Dec 16
@JudyEv well, ya lost me with the flyin', lol. nah, i couldn't leave my lil herd 'hind fer that length 'f time - i'd 've nothin' to come home to!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 16
@crazyhorseladycx I don't think Herc would want a helicopter ride so I think maybe I'll stay home too. 
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
19 Dec 16
While I'd like the solitude, the climate and all the rest would not be the environment I'd want. The wind alone would be enough to put me into the No Thanks column.
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
20 Dec 16
@JudyEv LOL! I didn't make it 5 seconds. But when I was younger I fantasized about working for the Forest Service in one of those lookout towers.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec 16
@blitzfrick That would have been fun too. There are still three in West Australia built in the tops of huge trees.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
18 Dec 16
There was a time, many moons ago, when I would have loved doing that! Now that I am older I don't think I would want to.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
19 Dec 16
@JudyEv I think it is my romanticist side that beckons my heart to go.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 16
@ElusiveButterfly Me too. The photo on the article showed a sunny day, green grass, couldn't see any wind. It looked idyllic. :)
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136446)
• India
18 Dec 16
I do not think you need to go as your settings are simply great going by so many of your posts. I know you are not planning but just saying.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136446)
• India
18 Dec 16
@JudyEv The duties I thought would put you off even if you were younger
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Dec 16
@allknowing It wouldn't be easy if the weather was bad that's for sure.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50258)
• United States
21 Dec 16
It sounds like it would be quite an adventure.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Dec 16
If I were quite a few years younger I'd be very tempted.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
18 Dec 16
if I had net, sure, without net?.... I just dont know. I suppose I'd get a ton of poems written and books read
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
19 Dec 16
@JudyEv A ton. I mean, thousands prob. I would have to have a few ereaders preloaded with books.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec 16
@Jessicalynnt That would be the way to go.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Dec 16
It would be pretty cool except the no internet thing, don't think I could handle that.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Dec 16
@JudyEv And I have to be able to talk to my sons
1 person likes this
@clrumfelt (5490)
• United States
18 Dec 16
It would be a great adventure for sure, and I'd love to watch the documentary on TV, but I'm such a homebody I'd never go there myself.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 16
Yes, same here. I've got a bit more sense now. :)
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
20 Dec 16
That sounds awesome to me. Except for... No internet. Oh ugh. I bet it's a life changing experience, but for good or for bad?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec 16
Whoever stays there for that period of time would probably learn a lot about themselves.
