Today we have a report from both lighthouse keepers, Jari and Hans:

Jari: We had a shiny windless morning with songs of seals. There is at least hundred of those on the small island that can be seen from Märket. Actually it looks like that the island could not take more of those furry fellows. In the morning sound of the sea was like a gentle whisper.


The new placement of the little red boat.

During the day we were very active. We tested z-pull for lifting the boat agains the wall with good success. Only few tips and everybody can lift the boat if needed due to harsh weather. After that Hans used his sea captain knowledge to set up the boat nicely to the strand.

In a nice sunshine with gentle sea breeze we started to cut and pile firewood. Yesterday KEE Eriksson, former lighthouse keeper of Märket, told us that in the old days the warehouse (about 130 cubic meters) was full of wood in the autumn and empty in the spring.


Sawing the wood - an old tradition of Märket.

The wood that was done today was kind of strange to me, very thick. Explanation for this is the fact that wood is from abroad. It have got over board from a boat in the winter storms and been carried to the island by the sea.

Hans: This morning I slept until 0730. There was somebody - Jari - making tea and coffee in the kitchen when I came down from my penthouse in the upper floor, under the lantern. We planned for a lot of different works during the day, but days are too short here. First I started to do the dishwashing, about two days "production".

By the way, we have outdoor kitchen and we eat every meal outside. After that I did some seamans work with the boat. In this weather we keep boat moored as seen on the photos.


The boat in the only harbour of Märket.

After a quick lunch I made fire in one of the owens and opened hatches in the funnel. Still there was smoke in every floor. We must be careful because the ovens have not been used for a long time.

Next project was to get one gas refridgerator working. Now we can store a lot of the provision cold. After that there was some cleaning to do in the lighthouse.

Before a late dinner I was in the original kitchen and remowed paint from roof and walls.


An ancient wallpaper inside the lighthouse, under the more modern isolation.

No visitors today. What a shame. In this weather it would be easy for even older people to get a shore. Today there was a seal only some thirty meters away from us at as it saw the dog. She left. A pair of birds live on the island closest NW of Märket.

Now there is a small boat coming closer - maybe guests!