It is quite. I never thought it could be so quite on Märket, because of the waves. But the sea has calmed down totally. Now at 7 PM there is no wind. Only the many swallows make noise here. You can here distant singing of the seals and the mourning of the diesel engines of the passing freight ships. How can there be so many of them passing endlesly the gate that Märket and Understen lighthouses form.

We are having a siesta. Last night there was very little sleep for us because of the travelling. Thanks to Holmbergs we got some sleep at their house - which is one of the beautiful houses of the seafarers of Mariehamn from the 50's.

But back to the morning. All 8 of us were as planned at 7.20 AM in Eckerö pier and we could start with M/S Bävern, Eckerman brothers boat. By us I mean the new lighthouse keepers team, Annastiina, Mira, Janne, my wife Leena and me, Pekka, plus our eager members Markku and Mikko-Oskari and mr. Fellman from Åland.


The arrivals.

Weather was good but still getting better. At 9.30 AM we reached Märket. The bearded lighthouse keeper of the last two weeks, Jari, came to take us to shore by the rowing boat. We really honoured the work Jari had done with Hans and Asta. Things were really working on the island.

Jari showed me around on the island, that was very important. Then came the time to say goodbye to Jari, Asta, Vila the dog and the friends. Then we were on our own. Ladies went rowing twice round the island - maybe that was like jogging to Markus, one of our pioneers.


Jari and Asta waves goodbye to Märket. Thank you Asta and Jari!

I counted at the most 21 pleasure boats on the Swedish side, and nobody was coming to us - expect Svante and Ulf, retired men from Grisslehamn, who finally broke the magic at 2 PM - again Märket had visitors. Desperetaly I tried to shout and show by hands the place to anchor. Finally I rowed to them and asked to join me. Openly I told not to forget their wallets. Märket needs money!

Svante and Ulf were amazed about what they saw. After their picnic coffee they wanted to walk round the island to see the future landing places. There are several places to land, they noticed. I rowed them back to the boat. When they left I wished the word woud spread around in Grisslehamn and we would get many visitors from there. But where do all the boat owners of Åland hide - as well as those of Rauma and Uusikaupunki!


Svante and Ulf

In a moment we will row to throw our brand new fishing net to the southern side. We don't have great expectations - more wellcome catch would be an extra salmon from one of those many boats that seems to be fishing salmon on the Swedish territory...


First lunch on Märket for the new crew.

Right now it strikes me to think how different this place can be compared to this quite, sunny evening, when You can hear the seals sing - or howl beautifully.

Greetings from the whole gang!