Firstly I would like to thank the guest bloggers for the last post. Brilliant guys!
Once we dropped the Kinvig clan off in Aland ( part of the Finish Archipelago) we spent a couple of days having a look at the islands before heading back to Sweden.
The Finish Archipelago
We went on a nice cycle ride down through a number of the islands that were joined by a set of causeways. The islands are all made of this red granite that contrasts with the green of the trees and water. Common across Sweden and Finland are letter boxes at the end of the road. In some places you see 20 or 30. We loved these ones as clearly the owners had gone to some lengths to make them look attractive. On some of the islands, the post boxes are all where the ferry comes in or at a road junction, it must save the postmen and women hours of traipsing up and down tracks.A potting shed (it shows that despite the harsh winters they can grow some beautiful plants). This one was beside a lovely café at the end of our across islands cycle, I could have spent hours looking and still not have found all the wee bits and pieces that were perfectly placed in the nooks and crannies. This is more typical of the bits of the Finish archipelago we visited ( I gather it is not all like this) but as you can see the islands can be fairly wind swept)Rock towering appears to be the local past time. There were signs up forbidding you to move any of the rocks, I couldn’t work out if this was to protect the already built towers or to stop people from building any more!Some better than others!Inside an old Radio station that has been preserved. This was from the days before GPS when radio Direction finding was used.Not sure how long the old boy has been trying to start that generator.A nice little marina (almost tying up to the rocks , but not quite)There was a lot of algae in the waters around Aland, and with 30 degrees forecast for the next week and no wind it was going to get worse. If you ask the Fins, they say it is because of the Russians, but in reality it is all of the surrounding countries farming methods which allow nitrates to flow into the sea.Leaving Aland in 28 degrees and no windShowering out the back of the boat ( we did wait for the ferry to go past first)The Aland and Finland courtesy flags, we debated if we should fly both or just one as Aland is an autonomous region of Finland which has a very strong sense of pride in ‘being Aland’.
Arholma
I think this has to be our favourite island of the trip so far. The weather was stunning which always helps , but in an island that is no more than a few square miles, it has everything, as you will see…
Anchored in a quiet bay just around the corner from Arholma. There were three other boats in and everyone else was indulging in one of the Scandinavians favourite pastimes of skinny dipping. The Baltic is only very mildly salty and everyone swims instead of taking showers when they are out in these quiet bays. I have to say, I’m getting to love a morning swim in the sea, sets you up for the day.Very Calm. Speaks for itself…… Sunrise at 3.30am; makes having to get up to go to the loo worth while!We used the kayak to paddle round to where the main part of the island was ( later on we moved the boat round)There were loads of traditional farm buildings on the island ( they have been modernised to some extent inside but most are listed )Stepping back in timeThe car park at the restaurant on the island (which was very good). The roads on the island are just tracksAnd for those who cannot afford the top end luxury of a quad bike… This must belong to the old guy in the corner, he is waiting for the next snow before he can go home.View from the restaurantThis Island’s ChurchFloating toilet, rubbish dump and pump out station (for emptying the toilet tank on the boat, most are powered by electricity, this one was a good old fashioned pump handle which worked remarkably well). Great idea.Came across this saw mill. I was desperate to find a local who I could brow beat into showing me it working (alas no)So what do you do with a cold war pill box – make it into a viewing platform. We forget how Sweden and Finland were on the front line in the cold war. The place has loads of relics as you will see laterJenny looking out for the invaders.We came across this meditation garden. The bell has a beautiful sound ( well you have to don’t you)…… and he did, more than once!Post Lady delivering the mail, notice the banks of post boxes, such a clever idea.Another Pill box
View from the front of the pill box. It turns out there was a round island race on called the Amfibiemannen. it consisted of running round the islands for 21 K and swimming for 5K between the islands . These were 2 of the islands on the route.At the North of the island we caught up with the race. There were hundreds of competitors. Hard to see but the above photo has them crossing to one of the islands There is a full gun emplacement on the north of the island which is now a museum. The race actually ran through this underground bunkerMove along, there is nothing to see hereWhat do you mean it looks like a gun? No it is just a rock, honestThis is not a high power optical device, it is just a MinionOK so maybe we have one gunBeautiful wooden boat (we found out later that one very similar to this sank outside the bay the following day – suspect that one of the through hull fittings failed)
Norrtalje
We then headed in to the mainland to be ready for Dave and Tracey to join us.
Free concert in the park. A Swedish Irish band. The male lead singer sounded just like the lead singer from the water boysFound this in the park. There is art work in all the public spaces, some very traditional, some very modern but all really interesting and none of it defaced by graffiti.Doc Martin and Karin, (we met this nice couple who were moored next door). We did a trade, he played some Jazz and we taught them to drink whisky. To be fair I don’t think they needed much of a lesson. The Jazz was brilliant. Uploading from the phone to the cloud
Visiting Stockholm with Dave and Tracey
Look, you can get a train to Inverness! (we never did figure out what it was referring to)We all hired electric scootersDC and I attempting to re create the TTThe old townA shop for Jenny, (not quite my style though!)We did see the changing of the guard, but before it starts you have the changing of the rubber matt ceremony (The guy on guard stands on the rubber matt until some other guy, wearing smart white gloves, comes along and removes it). Not quite Buck Palace…
Visiting the Islands with Dave and Tracey
Don’t worry Dave, Tracey has you………… Worry Dave!!!poetry in motionLots of the island have wood burning saunas that you can use so we gave one a go. Brilliant. Quick dip off the jetty at the end A bit of foraging Loads of Blue berry’ssome nice pics by Jenny of the local flora and fauna
A dead thing!
Now in the freezer awaiting inserting into a bottle of Gin (Trevor – I will try and save you some)Jen in for her usual morning swim.It was this bigI see no shipsChilledDave gets promoted to Master of Buckets and is showing off his skills with the best blue bucket which I managed to lose a week later.Nice Picture. the flag flying under the Saltire is the flag of the Celtic Nations and is made up of the flags of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany surrounding a celtic knot. Tracey at the wheel of our retirement home as Dave called itIs that a relaxed smile or a nervous grinDave masters Paddle boardingThen Tracey shows us all how it is done
Jenny and Dave off for a paddle ( this was the shallowest bay we have been in and we will not be going back as it was a real scrape getting in and out)……. yes, he means it literally, we ‘kissed’ the bottom with our keel!Damsel flies in love.it’s a paddle off…..So the final island of the visit we at last took the plunge and tied up to a rock.As you can see, not much room for errorBeautiful spotI have worked out how to do this slack lining. Do it on your stern anchor lineJenny asking if I still have life insuranceTime for a BBQ – you have to go ashore early and bags your BBQ spot as the rocks get very busy. IN the morning there are cooling BBQ’s scattered liberally all around.Dave at one with the BBQIt looks like we are the only ones here in this photo, in reality, there were families all around, all chatting and being very sociable. A very pleasant evening indeed.And when not on the BBQ, he was on breakfast. Cheers Dave Oh , and we found these little guys nesting above a toilet!
Goodbye to Dave and Tracey and Inside a Swedish Summer House
Last supper. This looks very civilised but, in truth, it was Pride weekend in Stockholm and this restaurant was joining in the fun. The staff were rainbowed up with hats, feather boas and wings and were having a ball while still managing to serve all their customers efficiently and professionally despite the retro disco (with DJ’s and real vinyl) and the fact that some of the customers had been there since opening time!Sun sets on a smashing visit
Inside Swedish summer house
Remember Doc Martin and Karin? Well, we were happily moored in Dalaro and suddenly, we heard footsteps on the deck and Doc Martin appeared round the corner. They had moored up across the pontoon from us and wanted to show us their summer house which is in Dalero. It is a traditional house build over three centuries with the earliest bit being an 18th century fisherman’s pub and kitchen.
View from the backsome local wild lifeI have to say it was an absolutely stunning building. This bit is 19th century and was the fisherman’s house with traditional wood burning stove. Through the door is the older 18th century pub.Upstairs. The whole house is full of original features and is truly stunning.
Heading south over the next week to collect the boys and Amy. Really looking forward to having my family all together on the Feath.
Feath 
Absolutely wonderful photos and update. Truly sensational adventures and memories! Iluska x
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Hilary’s eye good so she enjoyed the photo’s. Good to see the enjoyment continues.
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