Day Fifty Four Sunday 11th September

A bit of a wakeful night last night, but the plus side, having left the blind by the bed open, was seeing first the bright starlit night sky, then a beautiful sunrise at about 5.30 and finally the water shimmering in the sun around 8. By 10 a mist had rolled in and the far side of the bay was hidden from sight.

Geoff had gone off for a morning walk, returning in time to enjoy a Sunday breakfast treat of toast and marmalade. The toast is dry fried in a frying pan, which works really well, saving gas. Have I mentioned that trick before?

The weather having changed to overcast and a bit chilly, it was a good day for a museum visit. A few hours spent at the Alands Sjofarts ( maritime) Museum , Finland's Museum of the Year fitted the bill perfectly. Full of wide-ranging exhibits, from model sailing ships to a Captain's Cabin , details of all the old shipping routes, and the history of sailing ships on Aland, all well laid out over three floors in a modern waterside building; we really enjoyed it. The best part, saved till last and included in the entrance fee, was the v v Pommern, a four masted Barque which has been moored there since 1952. She is said to be the only large tall ship in the world which remains unaltered from her days in active service in the late 1930s. We had the whole enormous ship completely to ourselves, with freedom to roam all over three decks , from the hold to the fully furnished Captain's quarters and everything in between.

By closing time, at 4 pm, we were ready to eat, having had nothing since our late breakfast, so decided to return to Pub Nisko. This time I had a Jacket Potato piled high with prawns! Restaurants generally may be quite pricey here, but at 10 Euros I doubt I could have produced it myself for less.

We are one of only two campervans left on site this evening, although there may be a few folk in the little wooden Stuga, or cabins, further up the site. The weather has cleared and it is now a pleasant evening, though a bit chilly.