Lunchtime in Lappo. 60 18.94 / 020 59.82

Last two days in WiFi darkness, but now, in sunny Lappo harbour, we are back in the electronic world again. 

  
That Castle was quite impressive, mostly, from the outside, of the enormous area of wall compared to the miniscule ‘windows’. Inside I didn’t see, as it was closed. But more interesting was the collection of old buildings on the way there. (I’ll think of the name soon). Ålands official Maypole is erected and celebrated there, and most impressive it was too:

  
Explanations another time, I have the brochure somewhere. Lovely quiet place, grassy banks and picnicers too. 

Then on to Bomarsund, where we anchored for the night just round the corner. Entertainment that evening was a demented crow, large and very squawky-loud, trying to get into a cottage by flying through the closed verana windows. He must have had a very sore beak afterwards!  Next morning round to the small jetty, and a walk up to the remains of the Russian fort. Placards told of the original layout and buildings. Lots of big cannon laid out, just in case like.  Very comprehensive facility, must have cost a considerable portion of the Czar’s budget. Pity about the outcome though, as it was blasted and pillaged to ruins, for the Russians. 

Then had a lovely sail across relatively open water, going NE, and anchored up in a large bay off Eklinge, with a shallow entrance, (no, we didn’t). Only neighbours, swans. This area seems to be swan-country. Lots of them, also in swarms (wrong collective word, nicely onomatopeic!). 

Lappo for one night then, and then northward, up the main channel between Åland and Finland. Need to study the charts carefully, lots of shallows and rocks on the Finnish coast, and the harbour book, before deciding where to stop next. 

Now for an Åland pancake for lunch. Had one four years ago, and yummy memories. 

All’s well, from SailorJohn