Week 27: Anne, Ilpo, Leena, Minna and Pera

Saturday 27.06.2015

Most part of the group came to Aland on Friday and stayed in Eckerö. They spent the evening in the neighbourhood of a meeting of midget cars.

New group of volunteers arrived and last weeks group left with Mats. Plenty of carrying we had, as we had to carry everything through Sweden, the end of this rocky island. The waves were big enough, so the fine new boat of Mats’ had to be driven inside the lagoon.

We workers are Pera, Ilpo, Leena, Minna and Anne. Leena and Anne (that’s me) are first timers, others are old-timers. We have studied the safety things and surroundings, made our beds, guessing that we shall fall on them in the evening.

Three radio amateurs from Belgium came with heavy bags and looking happy. Pera went to the buoy with the rubber boat, as it was too windy near the lagoon, it means S-E harbour.

We have also worked here, but that is too long story.

Leena and Minna prepare to change a new hose, Pera supervises

Pera changes oil and oil filter in the aggregator

Sunday 28.6.2015

Sunny day, windy day, busy day, nice day! Only one tiny cloud closed the sun for a moment. The wind had turned from left to right (!) during the night. Waves had a curly white head… We had a lot to do today!

The reverse side of the lighthouse. So calm and perfect, and the shapes of the rocks are so soft. The birds don’t like us to go there, but Ilpo woke early before them.

After breakfast Leena made the dishes. The best view ever for a washer.

Wood blanks had to lift in a sunny place to dry before tarring.

Workers. Minna is tarring, Pera uses the circular saw, Anne keeps the blank steady.

Terribly hungry! The amateurs and the crew concentrating at eating. Delicious food made by the kitcheners Ilpo and Leena.

Monday 29.6.2015

The weather makes the day! It was mainly sunny and warm, no rain though it was promised in the weather forecast. Heavenly light scattered through the morning clouds. Waves were lower than yesterday. Only some of them with white top near the shore. Evening was cold and dropped a few cold drops. We would need a lot of rain to do some concrete work. But we don’t complain of the rainless day…

Work on the terrace continued. We are only shadows from yesterday, so much have we worked!

Minna with sandpaper (it looks like mobile phone at first sight, but who would have time or interest to connect outer world from here?) meaning that every part of sawed wood has to be grinded.

The last blank needed more work than half of the terrace. Master Pera solved some puzzles again.

What ever “sinking” (“senkkaus” in Finnish) means, this is it!

Work made under Pera’s guidance. There’s a reason why he didn’t do it himself.

Minna guided the tour in Märket for the amateurs, in English. Simultaneous interpretation in French by Mike (ON6QO).

Some had their meat soup and two non-meat-eaters had these delicious and beautiful vegetable omelettes. Be aware what you ask from the kitchen!

Peter (ON8VP) had his name day. He had no idea about it in advance, but we got a reason to celebrate!

Tuesday 30.6.2015

On the last day of June the sea around Märket was calmer than yesterday. During the night had been raining but not enough to start the concrete work. Only 70 litres drained in the containers. A group of creepy cormorants sat on a small islet in good order with arctic terns. Morning mood was gray first, but finally the rest of the day was filled with sunshine. And work, of course!

Minna taking yoga position while grinding.

Captain cook Ilpo lifts the grill up on the bridge. In the evening we celebrate the new terrace and have a grill party after sauna.

1.7.2015 Wednesday

Hmmm, what did we do today? It was hot and sunny and beautiful. This kind of weather made this day! It passed so fast again. We had visitors: a young couple from Mikkeli, Mikko and Minna, came with Mats. On the same ride arrived two journalists from Ålandstidningen, Frida and Joakim. Our Minna guided the visitors around the islet and lighthouse while we others did some work…

Peter, Minna and Pera lift the rubber boat in the water. Notice the fine shirts!

Minna starts to guide the guests. Not a single step without helmets! (In case the terns attack.)

Anne and Leena are helping Pera to make the safety bar on one side of the new terrace. Tomorrow you’ll see the final result!

Leena is knocking the concrete away around the magazine.

Thursday 2.7.2015

What a day again! Early in the morning came the first visitors. The sea was so calm that their three boats, almost like identical triples could disembark in the northern harbour. The song of seals gave a poetic voice world to our chi kong morning gym, while Minna guided guests around the lighthouse. One seal was seen also on this islet among the terns and seagulls. Most of the singers were gathered on the tiny islet called Märket kallen in the northwest. We heard their song along the whole beautiful day until the wind won their voice. In the evening most of the horizon was rounded by mirage!

Peter ON8VP and Ronald ON5TQ are watching the seals early in the morning.

Karioskari Kangas gave to Märket lighthouse a book Höyrylaiva Ukkopekka written by Johanna Pakola.

First visitors are leaving. Karioskari, Mika, Jyri, Petteri, Marko and Mika.

Kalle (5) was interested of the holes between the rocks. Other members of the family are Siiri (7), Terhi, Tuomo and their gentle dog Pate.

Divers from Hämeenlinna landed with a big rubber boat behind the lighthouse near the northern harbour. They had been diving around S/S Belliver’s wreck quite near. Also them, as all visitors, were impressed of Märket.

We also worked today! Leena painted the main door between helping in the kitchen and washing the dishes several times.

During morning hours Pera finished the terrace with some puzzle peaces. Anne painted the white edges. We had to check everybody’s shoe soles in the evening but did not find out who was the one who had stepped on the white line… nobody confessed…

A fine day again, and red nose made by the sun. The seals are singing when this diary leaves Märket.

Friday 3.7.2015

Just before midnight on Thursday we watched the rising Moon on the light purple sky. The sight was fantastic. The Moon rose from the horizon by moment till moment so that we could see the movement. After a while Minna saw a red point among the waves. Had the buoy gone loose? It moved forward and got red swinging appendages. Peculiar!

It was not a buoy at all but a man and a kayak. He paddled to the south beach besides the magazine and brought his kayak on the cliffs near Lilla Märket. He had paddled from Mariehamn, heading to paddle around Åland. He stayed overnight outside after we had interviewed him thoroughly.

On Friday afternoon we had two visitors on a motorboat. Pera guided them through the lighthouse.

Otherwise our Friday passed by cleaning and washing the lighthouse insides and several items and places outsides. Everything is not needed to explain, shit just happens… There was work for everybody as every day during the week.

The atmosphere was filled with both sadness and eagerness. Our week on Märket islet and lighthouse has been wonderful, workful, changing, calming and beautiful. There is so much to tell to family and friends. Definitely unforgettable experience in the nature besides the song of seals is the mirage yesterday evening. There is another expression for it, an especially charming pair of words, Fata Morgana. Minna remembered the name from an old fairytale written by H.C. Andersen, The Wild Swans. You’d better read it!

Radio amateurs Peter ON8VP, Mike ON6OQ and Ronald ON5TQ are gathering their huge amount of equipments. Sauna is warming up and the waves are from Southwest. Week 27 crew thanks!

Our Belgian radio amateur friends in the lighthouse tower.

Markku, the man with the kayak and Ilpo, captain cook.

Minna’s invention, José de Hose will help you in preparing the Sauna.

The creatures in Märket starting from the top left: Wagner, Guilty Schnautzer, Emu, Little Sister, The Magic Cat, Prisoner, Soup of the Day, Stairways from Heaven, Iron Duck, José, Big Sister and Miss Pancake

Märket crew Pera, Minna, Ilpo, Leena, Anne