Week 31: Ari, Jussi, Marcus, Marita, Minna and Riitta
Saturday 26.7.2014
We say farewell to the old experieced crew, and say hello to new adventures in Märket Island – Here we are! We have been busy from the moment we arrived with many exciting visitors. Weather is almost tropical, and sun is smiling upon us. Life couldn’t be better!
Our first visitors were a lovely couple from Uusikaupunki, Sirke Parsamo and Erkki Saarnio.Ari is greeting another group of happy tourists.We were honored to receive relatives of Georg W. I. Schreck – architect of Märket Lighthouse. Mrs Leena Ahvonen brought her whole extended family with her husband Jyrki. Maija, Jori, Nadja and Freja Ahvonen. Katja, Rasmus, Emil and Dahlia Mannerstöm.Riitta is pumping iron (water for the dishes). Coffee, pastries and cookies were extremely popular today in the kitchen. Time to get ready for tomorrow.
Sunday 27.7.2014
Sunday starts as another sunny day, and we are ready to work. We have a brief meeting of our assignments. Lot to do but all for a good cause!
Our crew Marita, Riitta, Ari, Jussi and Marcus going through this weeks’ work plan.Our first visitors on Sunday: Faraway in a boat Henrietta is Olle the Captain, then Ulla-Maj, Turre and Tuula. They came from Gothenburg, and were on their way back home to Vaasa.Jussi is hard at work sizing nuts and bolts. He is making wind energy equipment better for the rooftop.Stormy weather is on our way. Marita and Riitta ar carrying logs to safe and dry place.Rainy and windy weather surrounds us. Wind is 14 m/s.
Monday 28.7.2014
Monday morning begins with sunny side up! Fresh air after the rain gives us burst of energy to start our projects. First things on the list are cleaning dead phantom midges and spiders away from the windows and staircases. There are plenty of them on the islet. The terrace is in a need of total scubbing as well. Spotless Märket is our goal for today.
Smile!Marita vacuuming the Märket Shop. Visitors welcome!Marita and Riitta are having fun cleaning the terrace. Job well done.You never know who is around the corner! This time it is Jussi who landed from the rooftop where he has been working nonstop.Ari is taking care of business with a chainsaw.The lighthouse is bathing in the afternoon sunlight.
Tuesday 29.07.2014
We get two groups of visitors first thing on Tuesday morning. It is exciting to share the history, and the future of Märket with other lighthouse enthusiastics. Time flies by fast on the islet. We do our best to make our guests feel at home.
Our electrician, multilingual tour guide and exceptional all around professional Marcus is on his way to greet our first guests.Riita starting a tour on the breakwater which protects the lighthouse from the strong northern winds and waves.Märket T-shirts and calendars are great gifts to anyone. Let’s not forget about the postcards! There will be lot of happy people receiving specially stamped mail from Märket. All the proceeds support our work on the islet.There is always time for little coffee break. It is also a great moment to write on our guest book. What a pleasure is to hear about the journeys of our guests at the same time.Skilfully double parked boats by Mats and Bengt. Some might say it is almost a traffic jam?
Wednesday 30.07.2014
We worked late into Tuesday night. It is much easier to do our tasks with a cool evening breeze than in relentless heat in midday. Storage magazine’s rooftop is starting to look good. Jussi is working there constantly. Nevertheless this Wednesday is full of new adventures. First we take care of our visitors from Espoo and Stockholm.
Hide and seek. Well, Jussi is easy to spot anytime. Just look up, and there he is!Group from Stockholm is welcomed by our informative guide Marcus.Pahalahti family is listening to the stories about lighthouse master’s life. Riitta is already an expert of Märket’s history.Is it possible to be in two different countries at the same time? Of course it is!It is said that no man is an island. It seems to be true. We have visitors of all shapes and forms. Some take a boat, some just swim to say hello. The wonderment is mutual.
Thursday 31.07.2014
The reason for our exictence here on the islet is naturally the love for the lighthouses. Whatever we do here is done with admiration for the people before us who had the skill and courage to make Märket come a reality. It has been here since 1885 and still standing proudly. It is worthwhile to visit our amazing island. Why not volunteer as well to keep Märket going strong? This Thursday morning begins with windy rain. It is no problem at all because there is always something to do. Inside or outside, rain or shine!
Märket yesterday after the rain. Magnificent in any weather.Lighthouse in the morning. Striking as usual.Northern breakwater keeps Märket safe and sound.Marita patiently scraping the wall to bring it back to its’ original glory. Slowly and surely is way to go.Sun makes a surprise comeback and our famous ax-man Ari cannot wait to go for a full swing.Marcus and Jussi repairing old machines. They might work – fingers crossed!Kayakers Johan from Sweden, Petra from Austria and Damiano from Australia come to our shore in the evening. How cool is that!
Friday 01.08.2014
It has been absolutely astonishing week here in the Märket. Our team is thightknit even we come from different walks of lives. We all share the spirit of explorers! This is our last day on the islet…weather permitting! The wind is 11m/s. Our kayakers are waiting for the weather to wind down before continuing their journey. Thank you Märket for the safe haven and see you soon!
Guiding light in morning glory.Johan Wirsen has designed his own yellow kayak.Miracles do happen! Wickström diesel motor started after the dream team’s few trial and errors. It is quite an achievement because it has been stagnant since 1976.Minna is doing the dishes. Easy breezy!View from the top of the world. Well almost!
