Introduction
Moving Backward at the Speed of Light
I have always had a fascination with the special, rugged and romantic role the lighthouse had in shaping Canada's national fabric. This is, no doubt, born out of the fact my grandfather Cyril Williamson was a lightkeeper for 25 years (1945–1970). While I was growing up, I had the good fortune to work as his “assistant” during the summers. Every day we watched giant ocean-going vessels from all corners of the world pass no more than 50 metres away from the house in which we lived. I remember how my eyes would strain to read the exotic names of their home ports written on the stern just below their national flag. It never ceased to amaze me how the crew on board, from countries all around the ...
