Saturday 4.8.2007 – Mighty frog and mighty fog
Late yesterday evening, we found a new population from the shed. Family Frogs lives behind an old boat.
One member of the frog population on the reef.
Because it was our last night at Märket, we wanted to catch a photo of the light of the lighthouse. The light is much brighter than the Swedish one at our neighbour lighthouse Understen.
Such a small light bulb and such a bright light.
This morning was VERY foggy and now we are waiting for some guests and a new crew. Hope they haven’t got lost in the fog!
The old crew says thank you and welcomes the new crew aboard!
Find the lighthouse on the photo.
The new crew, Kristian, Tuula, Angela, Fanni and Emil came late in the afternoon. We brought two experts with us to give their opinion on the work that should been done. Also two new guests from Helsinki arrived.
After several attempts, they finally got lucky with the calm weather today and reached Märket with us. The high point of the very quick change of crews was more guests, a couple from Eckerö.
So, this new crew has already been tested where it comes to guiding people. We all feel happy but tired. It is getting windy… good night.
Sunday 5.8.2007 – Rush hour at Märket
It has been an extremely busy day here. 29 guests: from Åland, Sweden and Finland. All age groups were present; babies and grand parents.
These people spent the whole Sunday on the reef.
Two more delegates from Sweden.
We had the honour of meeting Mr Carlberg who came early this morning to repair his cabin. The cabin has been the only safespot for radio amateurs and other people visiting the reef before this summer and the reopening of the lighthouse by the Finnish Lighthouse Society. It is wonderful to see how committed people are to this project.
A calm moment for the new people at Märket.
At times, our guests had to queue to get in to the lighthouse. All of the guests had a connection to this place and were happy to be able to come for a visit. Their interest and concern towards the lighthouse was delightful.
Listen very carefully, this all you need to know from the lighthouse.
Though at times we thought people just wanted to meet the new crew – Fantastic Five.
Getting ride of the old beds before the rush hours.
Fixing the windows.
The plans we made this morning were all changed due to the rush hours. We will continue the window project and the furniture project tomorrow.
On a beautiful day, the reef is a paradise.
There has been no sign of frogs. Maybe too many people or too much sun. At least it was too much sun for Kristian…one day the redness will be sun tan, we hope!
Hurray ! We just had a phone call – more guests tomorrow.
A wonderful sailing boat came for a visit today…
… and it had plenty of company!
Monday 6.8.2007 – Sunshine from dusk til dawn
Late last night we saw one member of the frog family. Guess they like peace and quiet.
It has been a very good day here on the reef. A lot of people, five boats and sixteen visitors.
These people came from Åland…
… and so did this group.
They are staying in Eckerö.
Again, everyone was impressed of the place and the work that the Lighthouse Society is doing. We think at least one of the guests is going to be an active member.
They might become lighthouse activists.
The weather has been wonderful. Sunshine from dusk until dawn. We had to move our small cafe away from the sun.
The flag at its best – flapping in the sun.
A bit more wind towards the end of the day. We tried the rowing boat. It is not very easy to use or maybe Tuula is not as good at rowing as she claims to be…
Practise makes perfect!
Our guests arrived with boats that are really beautiful. It has been a pleasure to see them and meet their owners. Thank you all very much for your visit and the financial help that you have given!
A wooden boat, that’s the spirit.
We have had a little time to take a proper look around us and do some ‘real’ work. Märket is a wonderful place with many faces and a lot of (so far) unfinished work.
Putting up some new furniture.
It became a shelf.
Not a bad place to do the dishes.
Send us an SMS and pay a visit on the reef.
Tuesday 7.8.2007 – Caribbean minus the palm trees
This morning, we experienced something very special. During breakfast we always sit in our cosy kitchen admiring the view.
No wind, no waves – quite incredible at Märket.
Today it changed all of the sudden. Fog took over the place. We could hardly see the sea. Luckily, it didn’t stay like that for long.
We are spoilt with sun and warmth. At lunchtime, there was almost no wind.
Our team has changed. Angela and her children left us. They are replaced by Rea. Have a good journey home and see you soon.
Angela is leaving…
… and is being substited by Rea, welcome!
Again many guests. Alltogether seven boats and 24 people. It is like a paradise island at the Caribbean. Missing only palm trees – and piña colada.
It is a high season for tourists on the reef.
The front yard of the lighthouse is the starting spot for guide tours.
To be able to visit the top of Märket lighthouse is a wonderful exception among the Finnish lighthouses.
It is an ideal choice for a day trip. Welcome everyone!
Wednesday 8.8.2007 – Late arrivals with a tent
Late last night we got more guests. Total of two boats and nine people arrived. The smaller group (two people) stayed over night in a tent.
They got great photos of the sunset and the sunrise. Though they were already gone when we got up. The other visitors had a special late night tour around Märket.
The late arrivals were welcomed warmly.
The frog (called Saku) showed himself again as well and quite a few bats. We have to be careful not to step on it when it gets dark.
In many ways it was the busiest day of the summer. Can we still beat that during this week…
This morning we have been all alone here. The time was not wasted. We emptied the liquid part of the bio toilet.
This product is poured slowly into the soil that can be found. Not a drop to the sea. The other product of the wonderful toilet becomes soil. That we will use for filling empty holes on the ground. Then some planting and gardening can be done.
At least this summer, the little flowers have some ground to grow.
We did some painting. Windows and border marks. Some of the not so long ago marked spots had been rinsed away already. There you see how powerful the sea is.
After 1pm, we spotted the first boats. Neither one of them came to us. Total of zero boats today. Instead, we got a few drops of rain along with the wind. This weather arrived after a moment of heat and windlessnes.
A day without guests seems long. We’ve been going through the things we have here. Wonder what it was before, when you might have stayed here even for three months because of the weather.
Nightfall seems the most impressive seen from the top of the lighthouse.
Luckily, they had something to read. There is an old bible here. It was printed in 1888. There is a book of hymns as well. It is not as old as the bible. Maybe we shall sing tonight…
The sunset at Märket last night.
Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Thursday 9.8.2007 – Cleaning with a jumping salmon
Today no visits. The seals are our faithful companions. They are adorable. We like to think there is something human about them. They seem very curious.
These are the usual whereabouts of the seal population on the reef.
One seal came incredibly near of the photo camera some days ago.
We’ve been cleaning the reef and the seals seem to be watching us. Their heads pop out of the sea like periscopes as if they were wondering what we are up to.
Their life style seems nice. Swimming or floating after a meal, resting on a warm rock leaning on each other, scratching their heads and yawning. What a life.
Our cleaning project included sweeping and washing the floor in the lighthouse. The purpose was very selfish, just to make it more comfortable for us.
Small details make home.
Outside, we started taking away man-made items that do not belong to the nature. Like iron and plastic things and all sort of things that were brought here by the sea or people.
Spotting the iron junk to be taken away from Märket.
This job will go on for some days. Going around the South-West end and checking every corner has been rewarding. Not only because it gives us a feeling of making a difference, but also because the water seems clear and clean.
We didn’t see any sign of blue-green algal, instead we saw tiny small shrimps and mussels and other small living creatures. We also saw a jumping salmon!
Looking for some more rubbish.
The most exiting event was a bottle that arrived by sea. It was empty. If you want to reach us, send a text message. The number was on a photo a few days earlier.
The phone number of the lighthouse guards.
Friday 10.8.2007 – Iron day
Today has been windy. The sound of the waves is everywhere. It is powerful and calming at the same time. The view here is different every day. The colour of the sky and the sea changes. One could spend hours just watching the sea.
Today would be difficult to get to the island with boat
Cleaning is still going on here at Märket. At least ten kilos of metal has been pulled from under and between the rocks. A bullet, four schells and a coin was found by Rea.
Treasures
Kristian has been removing many layers of old paint from the doors downstairs.
The dishwashing corner has a new order. The ashes from heating the water seemed to make our clean cuttlery dirty again. Even though Tuula likes washing up there as limit to it.
There is many carbage bags that are full. Some with plastic, some with metal etc. We will have to take some with us as we leave tomorrow.
Haahka family (birds) visited the reef. A book about birds would be useful here. And another about games with playing cards. Well, we made up our own Märket rules.
Märket today
Still today on agenda: emptying the toilet (second part) into the holes without any rusty nails. And then one more well deserved delicious meal.
Tonight on the menu: couliflower curry and corn from the grill. Washed down with red wine.
Greetings from the three gourmands