Saturday 15th of July
As usual, most of us met each other already the day before. On Friday we had a chance to visit some other lighthouses, and no we have seen Lågskär, Nyhamn och Flötjan.
Lågskär
Flötjan, it was a bit windy, and we didn’t land.
Nyhamn
This morning weather was good, and we had a smooth change from the eastern side of the islet. With us, we had a new screen etc for the weather station, and it is working properly now. Thank you, Marcus, for installing it! It took a while for the text to appear on the screen, but miracles do happen here at Märket.
Food for the week.
Since last night we had two swedish paddlers here, and today, before they went off to Eckerö, they had a guided tour here. And just like that, off we went to work. Later today we also washed the replastered walls. Johanna and Katja have been here in all together about 40 times, Elisa once before, the rest are newcomers, but Jari and Jussi were leading forces at the restauration of Tasku last year.
Johanna, Jari, Elisa, Katja, Merja and Jussi at Lågskär.
Sunday 16th of July
Saturday evening at Märket.
We slept so well! Always the first night at Märket you sleep like a baby. After a wonderful breakfast we started the most common duty this year, woodwork… The pile gets smaller every day and every week, even if you can’t see any difference?
We had visitors during the day, a family of four + dog came with their own boat. Except Domino the dog, everyone enjoyed the view from the top of the lighthouse.
Wind has been quite harsh since noon, 11-12 m/s from South, we even had to take the Lighthouse Society’s flag down.
Rest of the day was about bird watching and birthdays! We have very young wagtail babys in the ventilation pipe in the shop. We have been queuing to see how the mom is feeding the little ones.
Bird watching in the shop.
Wagtail nest.
Small bird trying to avoid the wind.
Some of us had or have birthdays during the week, so a strawberry cake is not a bad idea! Yammy!
Monday 17th of July
The day has been busy as usual. No visitors, it has been a bit windy. We fixed a bit of the breakwater top with mortar. For some it was their first time working with plaster, but we got neat joints. We still need stones for bigger gaps, but slowly but surely maintenance work goes on.
Plastering
On top of the breakwater
The wood pile metamorphosis is going on also everyday, we named the wood chopping machine Sir Albert. He is just wonderful!
Sir Albert and his work.
First day this week we had coffee break outside.
Islet life is awesome!
In the evening we feared thunderstorm would hit us, it was thundering in Sweden. Some rain, no lightning, but gorgeous clouds and a rainbow.
Our kitchen is spoiling us, thank you for all the customized portions!
Tuesday 18th of July
For some reason the computer is advertising today: Camping under the stars is a great chance to view the night sky. And to feed mosquitoes. And yes, some of us did that yesterday, slept on the terrace, a bit loud for some, for the others soothing sound of the waves was the best thing ever.
Before going to bed, we ran around the islet, to admire the double rainbow framing the lighthouse.
Our disher had today cold feet, for sure.
Border marks got a new layer of paint, now you can clearly see them all over. First ones to come and admire them, was a happy group of ten swedish-finnish-ålandish tourists. They celebrated a birthday girl and had a lovely picnic here as well.
The diary is late today because a small thunder flew over us, but now the sun is shining again.
Wednesday 18th of July
Dusty and windy today! In the morning we were gazing big surfs and knew that no visitors can come today. Cleaning up of the upper storage went on, so now there is room for more firewood.
The wallpapers in the eating/living room in the first floor are the oldest ones found in the room, probably from the 1880’s. Some fragments were loose, so they were glued today.
Another task for the week is to change and clean the exhibition on second floor. We also catalogued some old building fragments.
Thursday 20th of July
Busy day, 15 visitors so far! First ones to arrive were chimney sweeper and expert to check the fire extinguishers and former lighthouse keepers son and his wife and Mats. All the pipes are now clean, and the fire safety is ok as well.
Soon a swedish couple arrived and were fetched by rubber boat. They have been fishing around Märket for years, but it was now the first time they had a chance to come to land. It is always nice to guide people here, because they are so happy to be here.
We had barely time to clean the soot from the floor before a russian catamaran arrived with 8 people from the Russian lighthouse society.
And some of us continue camping outside for the night. Last nights style was by the wall.
Now the weather is so good, that rubber boat exercises are going on.
Hiski Salomaa – Tiskarin Polkka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bxfKVCsrAY
Friday 21st of July
Last whole day here at Märket, one week is at same time a long time, and a very short time. Time is so different here.
What’s cooking? Towel soup for lunch?
The result
Today we had two visitors from Sweden, Per och Örjan came with their little small open-deck boat. They were traveling from Mariehamn to Understen, and were so happy to see our rubber boat approaching and welcoming them here. Some other boats also drove by, but we probably scared them instead of making them feel welcome here?! We should have a sign here ”Welcome, wait by the buoy and we’ll get you!”
They guys had a lovely stop here, and went swimming to Modersmaga, and said that it was the best swimming trip this summer. We agree!
Per, Örjan and Märket t-shirt.
Today, after sauna, we will have the grand opening of the new exhibition in the shop & museum, but perhaps we should show it to you already? Ok, here we go, the Märket exhibition renewed:
