Monday 1 May
After two days heavy waves from north we finally arrived to Märket. During the winter heavy wind from east – east south had reached the Island and results where visible at Märket. The 10th volunteer year at Märkets started.
Tuesday 2 May
After storm even the grey seales came to the Island.
Starting preparations for the season includes to take everything out and put them on the right places.
As we missed the “Vappu” 30.4. we decided to selebrate it today. Good food and sauna. Swimming naturally too.
Wednesday 3 May
The weather was sunny and beautiful on Wednesday. There was only light wind and little wave action. Towards the everning the wind got stronger and the waves bigger, however.
New compost treatment system
The day’s tasks included emptying the old compost into a newly made 2nd stage treatment box built by Jussi. Aarni and Kimmo helped. Jussi also assembled, with the help of Outi, the new grill bought for the lighthouse.
The grill has been assembled
The women Katja, Outi and Laura cleaned the windows of the light cabin from the outside so that the lighthouse light would shine bright in the coming days. The same female team also checked the functioning of the small fire extinguishers and placed them in the right places in the building.
The second mooring buoy waiting for installation
Kimmo and Erkki prepared the second boat mooring buoy for installation.
The kitchen word included the baking of fresh, tasty bread.
Thursday 4 May
The morning was windy with a 10-11 m/s wind blowing. The force was more than 12 m/s in gusts. However, the sun was shining and the sky was blue with some haze.
The waves are big – two swans seek shelter in a protected lagoon
The day’s programme included improvement of the fire extinguishing system with a big water drum. It will function as a water container for emergencies.
Water for emergencies will be stored in big drums
The programme highlight of Laura, Katja and Outi was the cleaning of the kitchen.
Aarni identifying migratory birds in the morning
Kimmo and Erkki waited for the strong wind to calm down in order to install the second mooring buoy about 200 m from the lighthouse.
The evening highlight was the customary sauna bath. The sauna is normally heated twice a week.
Friday 5 May
Friday morning and afternoon were beautiful with sunshine and moderate wind. The waves of the sea looked friendly.
Today the conversion of the lighthouse from its winter rest to active summer use was completed. For example, the shop was made ready to receive tourists.
Also the rainwater collection system was completed with the installation of big blue containers downstairs and the connection of runoff pipes to the containers.
In addition, Kimmo and Jussi put a Rotowent fan on top of the chimney. The purpose was to improve the removal of smoke produced by the heating of the lighthouse with firewood.
In the kitchen tasty fish soup was prepared by the cook and her assisting maids.
Nature observation included a mission by Laura, Katja and Aarni to the nearby seal rocks on the Swedish side of the border. Later, Aarni and Erkki took pictures of the seals on the Sankan rocks in the Finnish waters, about two nautical miles from Märket.
To finish the day, the Märket team was hoping to see a beautiful sunset like the sunsets yesterday and the day before. The image taken by Erkki on Wednesday night illustrates the breathtaking views offered by Märket when the sun sets. The picture was taken with the lens zoomed to 600 mm. The image is uncropped.
