When told that I’d be going aboard the Sevenstones lightship to film the maintenance team from THV (“Trinity House Vessel”) ‘Galatea’ there was a certain amount of knowing looks and wry shaking of heads. Further inquiry revealed that I was very likely in for an experience only to be willingly endured by the most determined birdwatcher – you know, the type who’ll hang over a cliff to glimpse a tern. This because most seabirds, on seeing a lightship, seem to think “Aha! Time for a little visit!” and make themselves comfortable on the ship. All over it, in fact. I was warned the stench and slippiness would be abominable. But we all got lucky. Sevenstones was clean enough to satisfy the most exacting First Officer, alow and aloft. They even left the solar panels untarnished (picture.) Not gullty, in fact! (Ouch.)