Saturday 27.4. – Friday 4.5.2013 Johanna, Pekka and Pasi

 

27.4.2013 NEW MÄRKET SEASON STARTED!

 

The first crew in 2013, Johanna, Pasi and Pekka arrived to Märket in a bright sunshine.

The winter did not seem to end at all. Last year Märket was occupied in March but this year Mats got his boat loose from the ice only one week ago.

We had quite a lot of things to carry ashore, for the shop, for water cleaning system, motor and fuel for the boat, masses of food, etc. This time we had to be quick because the the boat could not be fastened in the harbour. The waves were too high.

The lighthouse keepers were happy to find everything in a good shape. No visible damage could be observed. Johanna and Pasi were in the last group of previous year closing the lighthouse. Everything was as they left it.

Temperature outside was 6 C and inside 5 C. We started to heat the ovens. The big stone house takes a long time to warm up.

Johanna, Pasi, Pekka

PS. In the evening the temperature inside was already 9 C.

 

28.4.2013 PREPARING MÄRKET FOR COMING SEASON

 

Early birds woke up before sunrise to watch the moon sailing in the clear skies. It was cold, 1,5 C. Wind had turned to the south. Indoors the temperature was already almost 10 C, just perfect for having classic porridge breakfast.

Arranging things for the coming season kept us busy the whole day:

In the evening the wind is getting harder, 15 m/s from the south.

Johanna, Pasi, Pekka.

 

29.4.2013 BUILDING SURVEY

 

Windy day again, 8 m/s in the morning and 15 m/s in the evening, from the south. Outdoor temperature 3C , indoor 12 C. Daily routines start by warming four fireplaces and making porridge for the crew. Pasi managed to switch on the lights, so we don’t have to depend only on candles.

First task of the day was to check the old oil tanks. There are four separate container units, and still a few drops of oil left in them.

We continued preparations for coming building works. Pekka made an inventory of timber, lumber and plasters. Johanna and Pasi finalized a plan how to fit new installations for the coast guards in our storage room.

After the lunch break we continued documenting the former carpenter’s workshop, so called “Carlbergs cabin”. We opened the floor to check the constructions, and again we found something surprising. There were two abandoned eggs of a black guillermot (Cepphus grylle, riskilä, tobisgrissla) from last summer.

The most difficult task is to follow the official daily program, time table printed on the wall, containing two meals and two coffee breakss.

Regards,

Johanna, Pasi, Pekka

 

30.4.2013 RESCUING OLD ITEMS

 

Morning was chilly and windy as usual, 4 C and 10 m/s from the south. Only one of us saw the sunrise while others preferred staying in their warm sleeping bags. The wind calmed down and it became almost warm in the afternoon. There is warm also in the lighthouse, over 15 C.

Todays challenge was to empty the old oil tank room and pack ancient batteries for transportation. Instead of telling our stories, we leave room for the imagination of the readers.

Please feel free to send your suggestions to market.lighthouse a majakkaseura.fi. The best ones might be published.

Hauskaa vappua!

Johanna, Pasi ja Pekka

 

1.5.2013 RELAXING FIRST OF MAY

 

After four days of (extremely) hard work we decided to spend the first of May doing absolutely nothing, only relaxing. Never mind the temperatures and winds. The only thing that matters is that the lighthouse is warm now, and the sun is shining.

We concentrated on watching wonders of sealife: birds, seals, fish and ships passing by. From very small objects… like this flock of baby fish…

…to large things…like the gigantic foot of a huge oil drilling tower sailing to the big world to secure the endless energy demand of mankind…

Perhaps we will get back down to business tomorrow.

Regards Johanna, Pasi, Pekka

 

2.5.2013 BACK TO WORK

 

Weather conditions: Nothing new from the west front. Bright sunshine and cold wind like always. Seawater 1,7 C, outdoor pool 4 C. Bedrooms are warm and cozy.

The main task today was to demolish the old cabin belonging to the coast guard and rebuild a new one for their batteries and other installations.

When making re-arrangement of all the things in the storage we found a few old items, as usual, and carried them to the basement of the lighthouse.

As the men where reorganizing the storage room, Johanna was working in Märket´s butik pieces of old wall papers and relics of demolished building materials are now safe in old cupboards.

We happened to find a pothole (hiidenkirnu) in one of the ponds not far from the lighthouse (see Märket diary 20. Nov 2011). Could the stones perhaps be lifted up from the hole?

The afternoon was calm and warm. We hope to see more seals and migrating birds tonight.

Regards

Johanna, Pasi, Pekka

 

3.5.2013 TERRACE SEASON OPENED

 

This morning was finally different: calm and warm. More and more migrating birds are passing by on southern wind and taking a rest on Märket reef.

We kept on doing our daily routines. Pasi continued building the cabin for the coast guard gear.

It was so warm in the sun that we had our coffee break on the front yard first time this season. Felt like summer.

This is the last evening on Märket for Johanna and Pekka. Pasi will stay here one more week. Good luck for the next crew!

Johanna, Pasi, Pekka