Day Fifty Two Friday 9th September

Every day has been special, but today has been particularly full and enjoyable. We started with the open air museum of fascinating 19th century buildings this morning, a real insight into the life of the Aland farming communities of the time. The buildings had been brought to the site from various different islands. Also on the site, having been there and in use for centuries, was the old prison building. The three cells had each been furnished differently to show how they would have been from 1800 to 1975 when it was last used as a jail. With several exhibits of chains, and other daunting stuff, and the jail masters family quarters furnished as they would have been at around the turn of the century, it was very interesting, and made more so by having a personal guide in our young lady from last night, who was on duty there today. We had the whole place to ourselves for nearly all the time we were there. In fact we only saw two other groups of people there and in the castle later, one with a Russian numberplate.

We had thought to have coffee in the museum cafe, but it wasn't open. However, as we went down the hill to the castle we realised that the large smart building we passed was probably a restaurant, and seemed to be open, so we went to investigate. It was in fact an extremely smart restaurant and conference centre, Smakbyn,, with a gift shop full of lovely things! So here we enjoyed coffee and our first taste of Aland Pancakes. Scrummy.

Next stop the castle. Too much to describe everything here, but again full of interest and historical information  and restored  lovingly. Loads of stairways to go up and down to walk off the pancakes! With encouragement from the young man on duty, I persuaded Geoff to try on the chain mail and helmet in the dressing up corner, and have the photo to prove it!

We wanted to go to Godby, which is right in the middle of Aland, to investigate a micro-brewery. But first we needed to establish a place to stay for the night. Over our leisurely coffee break we had spent some time on the Internet researching various options for travelling to Turku, on the Finnish mainland, and had also established that nearly all the campsites are now closed!  In Godby we found the  Aland Idrottcenter, which is a sports centre, swimming pool, Tourist Information Centre and large modern Youth Hostel. Once again, we explained that we were looking for somewhere to stop for the night. The man on duty said we could stay in their car park (the fact that we are only little seems to help) We negotiated a stay in their car park, with use of the Youth Hostel facilities for 15 euros. Kitchen/ lounge , with a freezer to freeze ice packs, loos, showers and wifi! We feel very fortunate, but are fully aware that we are not always going to fall on our feet!

Godby is not actually a town - it seems Mariehamn, our next stop, is the only proper town on Aland -  but seems to consist of just some houses, this Centre, and what resembles a small out of town shopping precinct. At the supermarket there we found two more treats, Geoff bought some beer from the microbrewery, to make sure we got some, and I found two slices of Princess Tort just waiting to be tried. Two very wicked treats in one day.

A quick trip to the brewery established that its main attraction was a bistro, which looked great but was not for us today. So back to our spot in the Idrottcenter car park for tea and Princess Tort.  It was delicious, very light and fluffy, and mostly cream. I won't feel the need to have it again though.

My feet have been suffering from itchy insect bites for the last two days -walking through grass in sandals was not a good idea- and this afternoon I was convinced I had picked up ticks. Geoff investigated but assured me that the little black spots he removed from the tops of my feet were not ticks. Ironically, he later discovered a real, actual tick embedded just below his knee!! It has now been removed using his nifty Tick Removing Gadget.

We have spent the evening in the Youth Hostel, where we have seen only three people, one of them a member of staff. Having cooked and eaten supper, enjoyed one of the bottles of beer, showered, caught up with the children and all the grandchildren on FaceTime, and now finished the blog ready to post in the morning, it is time for bed. Has all that really happened in one day?