The wind didn't settle down at the night, quite opposite. It kept going around the rock and the waves hit the shore in each direction. In front of the SW harbour waves crossed perfectly. About 1am water started raising so that it hit over the SE cliff right into the bay where the boats were tighted up.

Lighthouse guards sleeping in the tent inside the warehouse listened to the waves and realised it's time to check the boats. When they exit the warehouse, a huge wave crossed the island, and the radioamateurs ran out to save their boat, which was tightened on a rock in the bay. Just when they loosened the ropes, another wave hit them. Luckily only damage it did was wet the guys thoroughly. After a hard work they managed to fast the boat behind our little red dinghy, but right then another wave hit almost throwing the boats and the guys against the cliff. The boats and men stayed upwards, although slightly shaken. The little red one was lifted up to the shadow of the lighthouse and another boat tightly fastened. The wind kept blowing...

In the morning we checked the weather and informed the mainland that no tourists can land Market today. We were expecting twelve visitors to arrive, but unfortunately they had to cancel their visit. Instead we started working: we chopped wood, emptied the bio toilet (a bit nasty at first, but most of the stuff was well decayed) and started to build a new bio waste container. Lars Nikko, the Obi-wan Kenobi of radio amateurs, gave us his helping hand and the box was ready in no time. Tomorrow we start growing our own herbs here..: )


The radio amateurs before leaving Märket.

When Lars was having fun with us, other radio amateurs worked constantly with their Nobel-prized software and high technology thingys. Reflecting via meteorites, moon and some other objects they reached their target, more than six thousand contacts around the World. Eric Wennström, Peter Rosenthal, P-O Olsson, Stellan Wersen and of course Lars were more than satisfied because of that. We were amazed. Non so bad for amateurs! But amongst us, the guards, we found the real radio professional, Iiris. She took Märket live on the air on Rauma Ramona radio station. They told her she's a born radio star and tried to hire her but she said she's now a lighthouse guard.


Taking down the stuff.

Around 5pm the amateurs heard their lift was on its way and started packing rapidly. Taking antennas and satellites down took hours, though, and it was almost 9pm until they began rowing towards the bigger boat.


The fight to freedom...

The first trip looked horendous as the waves tried to turn the boat upside down. Back on the island the guys looked pale and pondered if they shall row again or order a copter, but they didn't know that their captain was an old Swedish seabear whose boat handling skills would have made even James Bond jealous. He drove the boat back surfing on the waves. We tried immediatelly hire him but he just grinned.
Seals and us waved to them and exactly the same time the sun came out. We saw the shadow of the lighthouse for the first time.


Back to basics...