070609 New Team on Duty

Here we are, our new crew Lorenz, Markku, Lotta, Panu, Tekla, Maria, Enni, Emil and Angela, sitting and making plans for the next week. Most of us are from Turku or Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

We are having a picnic and watching the sunset on the western side of the lighthouse. The weather is a bit windy but beautiful. It has been a long day but the place is worth all troubles and travelling.

Good night from

The Märket Team

080609 Shiphorns and Light Music

In the morning Lorenz´s brother called him that his ship, Birka Paradise, where he is the captain, is going to sail by Märket. So we came out to wave to the ship and the ship hunk horn to us.

Then we listened a short presentation of the history of the lighthouse. After that we started working with the granite foundation which needs plaster in its seams.

On the afternoon we had very important guests from Sweden and Åland. Lorenz surprised us by playing violin for them. He also fixed the chimney of the lighthouse – at least for a moment. Now we can temporarily use the fireplaces even though it wasn´t necessary because of the warm day.

Now we are listening Emil and Lorenz imitating seals.

Good night from Märket

090609 Layers from Times Back

Today we started cleaning the seams of the granite basement. We had hoped to get some rain because we didn´t want to use drinking water for this job. But in the morning our barrel was still empty. So we had to use our precious drinking water.

We started filling the seams with new plaster from the east side next to the main entrance. At the same time, we continued cleaning the seams from north and west sides.

The rain came in the afternoon and we were forced to work inside or in a shelter which was built for the process of scraping paint off the door. Markku, our teacher, tried to find the colour shade similar to the old one from the colour charts. One of the door frames in the first floor was scraped carefully, so that we could see the many layers of paint applied over the years. One of the shades found in these layers will be picked and used for the re-painting the doors.

In the evening we ate traditional Austrian food, Käsknöpfle, and listened to some violin music performed by Lorenz.

Good night

100609 Rainy Day

Today we continued our work. We filled the never ending seams – nevertheless we finished one of the walls which actually turned out very good. We also continued scraping the door and defining right the hues of colour. Because of the rain we had to cover the seam workplace but we were pleased to find rain water in the barrel.

Today one could have smoked some fish in both the basement and attic at the same time – our fireplaces didn´t work as well as we hoped.

Despite that we had a nice day because we were celebrating Tekla’s birthday by eating the poor knights’ (a Finnish delicacy of cream, jam and pastry) and listening Lorenz playing the violin.

Today we didn´t see any seals. Now we wonder if they went under water because they didn´t want to get wet in the rain.

Good night from Märket

110609 Almost A Sunny Day

What a wonderful day. We made a fine progress today. Almost two sides of the basement wall are now ready or lack only the finishing touch. And after a foggy morning the day cleared towards the evening. Because of the fine weather and sunshine many of us decided to wash themselves for the first time while being here.

After thirty years of dampness, it´s warm and cosy inside the ligthouse now. The temperature in the kitchen is 20 degrees. Emil and Lorenz have been our firemakers.

Today’s guests were from Åland and they were celebrating a 60th birthday. Lorenz played his violin again.

Today our lunch was pea soup, and at five o’clock we ate grapes. Now we are preparing goods for a barbeque.

In the evening we are expecting some reinforcements for our crew. When Tapio Rönkönharju comes, we will have two architects in here.

Good night

120609 Additional Workforce

Today we had many workers on the island. Architect Tapio Rönkönharju came yesterday evening and later at night arrived Emanuel, who wanted to return to Sweden with his kayak. Because of the bad weather he had to stay here and help us all day. And now it seems that he has to stay here all week. Storm is rising around the lighthouse. But it is not so bad, we have enough food and a lot of work.

Tomorrow a group of new lighthousekeepers will arrive on Märket if the weather is not too bad. We also hope that Yvonne and Mats can take some of us back to Åland tomorrow morning.

As a whole, the week has been great. It’s been a pleasure to be a part of this interesting and important project. Hope to see you soon again, Märket!