100508 A new shift, sun and divers

 

This time our adventure began already in Eckerö where we spent a couple of hours by night in historical post office before leaving for Märket. Due to some minor incidents guards and todays customers landed safely on shore allthough in different boats. There we met the previous crew, who suntanned and smiling with the big sunshine welcomed us warmly. The six guest from Mariehamn were fortunate to enjoy such a beautiful spring weather.

 

In the afternoon a somewhat mysterious boat circled around the island. We were watching it with binaculares trying to find out its purpose. We did not succeed on that, and later on when three young men from the boat came ashore, we found out why. Their interest were under the water. They were diving for old wrecks, which are known to exist plenty of around Märket. Quite an exiting hobby. It takes guts staying under the freezing water uptill 45 minutes at a time. We served some coffee and guided them around the lighthouse.

 

One of the divers where not more or less than a real Carlberg från Eckerö, a relative to the former famous Märket lighthouse guard Carlberg. Towards the evening the wind was rising.

Kristina and Antti thank you all for tonight!

 

110508 The end of Märket sauna

 

We had a good and warm sleep in the upper ”maiden chamber”. That was partly due to the warm sleeping bags and mostly to the well working old stove. The morning sun was strongly shining even through the temporary plastic windows and forced at least one of us to get up. This early bird saw another early bird, a big one. It was a beautiful brown eagle, perhaps a ’havsörn’ who was resting on a cliff nearby.

 

We where eagerly waiting for guests this exeptionally beautiful sunday, but no-one showed up. Maybe the potential visitors were visiting their Mothers instead. A tip for next year: take your Mother to Märket!

Realising the total lack of traffic we checked the joblist and descended to the cellar. Usually Finnish people burn their saunas down, this time we started to tear the sauna up. Allthoug the very special one man’s sauna bench was succesfully brought out in one piece. Antti enjoyed the last steams(löylys) on it outside on the rocks.

 

We had a nice supper, including herring and potatos, in the sunset. At this moment life feels quite nice.

 

Kristina & Antti

 

120508 The storm of the week

 

Yesterday, preparing for the cold night we put a fire in the stove. This time the maidenchamber nearly turned out to a gaschamber. The wind had turned north, and maybe that was the reason for the chimney not to work.

Freezing north wind really showed its power. In the morning big waves washed the whole island, and the sun was shining from the blue sky. The sight was spectacular but the island was unfortunately unreachable for guest. Beside the lighthouse wall we found a warm and still spot to enjoy our morning porridge and watch the scenery.

 

We continued with the sauna project tearing up the panels and making firewood out of them. Also the sauna oven was brought out, which gave us a reason for a bath again tonight.

Still doing strong – Kristina and Antti

 

130508 An extra day on Märket

 

This was supposed to be the last day on Märket for this time, but no. The waves still made the landing impossible. The only way to get to the island was rowing through the crosswaves with the red dinghy.

In addition to the new crew we were expecting a broadcast team to visit Märket. We did not want to take any risks, so together with Lighthouse Society’s security chief we decided to postpone the visit and the change for tomorrow.

Last couple of days have gone by quickly but paralelly it feels that we have been here for a long time. This kind of experiment takes you effectively out from daily routines.

We have intensively kept watch but despite the rough conditions no one has been shipwrecked nor other emergancys have occured.

Last July Märket was guarded by the famous five – this time there were only two of them here. Watching the sunset we would like to send a big hug and an even bigger OHO to Iris, Merja and Marika.

Probably our shift at Märket will come to the end tomorrow morning so farewell!

 

Kristina & Antti