Monday 1.6.2015
We were meant to go to Märket on Sunday morning, but the wind was too strong so we had to spend our day in Åland. Eventhough day was sunny and we visited interesting places, we all waited anxiously that the wind would calm down. Finally at 8 pm we got good news -we were good to go. Waves were still quite big, but our trip went quickly.
Monday started with heavy rain and wind. We couldn´t do anything outside. Fortunatelly rain stopped in the afternoon and sun started to shine brightly. Our task in this week is to make new terrace in front of the sauna. Men started to demolish old concrete block -it turned out that it wouldn´t surrender easily. It took several hours to get rid of it. At the same time few of us dug an old cable out from the ground.
There are lots of terns in the island, they are nesting here and are protecting nests sternly.
Tuesday 2.6.2015
Weather is still windy and very chilly – evenings have been little calmer and we have enjoyed watching full moon
On Tuesday we have been working with the new terrace. Task of the day was to lift first frame up in the front of the sauna. It wasn’t an easy job at all. Frame was big and heavy, and it took some serious planning before we got the frame up. After we finally managed and the frame was in it’s final place, it had to be modified before it fit perfectly. Tomorrow it’s time to lift second frame up – it is even heavier than the first one.
Our master chef Irma has been taken very good care of us. She has made us delicious food but has also time to knit new woollen socks. Let’s see how many pairs she has made until we leave home on Saturday.
Wednesday 3.6.2015
Today we continued working with the upcoming terrace. We lifted up the second frame. Even though it was heavier than the first one, lifting went much faster and easier – practice makes one perfect.
After we got both frames up, it was time to make molds for cement – it will hold new frames on put. Then we filled the molds. Cement will be dry on Thursday and then we can move on with this construction site.
Wind hasn’t calm down but fortunately sun has also shined so we have had possibility to enjoy these first days of summer. Pekka and Reijo have watched birds, but there have also been much smaller flying friends with us.
Thursday 4.6.2015
We all were glad to notice that finally on Thursday the weather was calmer and especially warmer than any previous day on our Märket-week. It was so warm that we could enjoy coffee outside on the terrace.
After lunch we all scattered around the islet to have some sun. Brave ones changed into shorts, others just kick their shoes off for a minute.
Today it was time to make an inventory at the Märket Shop. We have many various articles to buy here, most familiar ones must be postcards and the annual calendar. But there are also few brand new items; a ceramic candle holder and a ceramic board.
We also continued to build new terrace for sauna. Today we molded concrete base for the terrace. Messy and quite hard job, but we managed to finish this stage of construction. Tomorrow there is going to be only some small fine adjustment, then the next crew will continue building the terrace.
Friday 5.6.2015
Friday was our cleaning day. We tidied up places both inside and outside and did some maintenance. For example we fixed path from harbour to lighthouse so it will be safer.
The weather was nice enough, so few of us made a little boat ride. They didn’t saw any seals but it was nice to see how Märket looks out from it’s “behind” when one looks it further than from the shore. Scenery was beautiful of course.
This was our last day at Märket, we are leaving very early Saturday morning. At Friday night we first enjoyed sauna and then we had our last supper together.
Ari, Harri, Irma, Jussi, Pekka, Reijo and Riikka