Mariehamn is the largest town in the Åland Islands 11,000 people. The islands are part of the EU but remain outside its tax area so provide duty free shopping. Unfortunately the 4 masted square rigger ship. The Pommern. Was closed for renovation, she was one of the last square riggers to sail commercially and last worked in 1939. She was able to compete with steam because a lot of the crew were children others were paying to sail for the experience, they also sa...

We had a great sail in F4 sunshine and only 10 miles giving us time to explore the Island. Rödhamn was a coast guard and signal station, there old buildings are now a museum. The place was again very busy, they charged 18 for not ver much. There were some composting toilets and a cafe. There was anchoring room in the bay, we should have done that. We were invited on board a Swiss yacht a new 42 footer that had everything in it, we had seen then over the last fe...

Degerby is a small ferry port. The Marina was less busy the the small town was very busy. There seams to be lots of camping and apartments. There was a good supermarket with a noticeable price increase from mainland Finland. We had been recommended the fish buffet in the local restaurant, it was very good but I can say I am now all fished out.

Kökar was a very busy harbour but as always happens we fit in somewhere. We took a 2 mile walk to a church and ruined monastery. Kökar is our first Åland Island. We were able to fill up with water and buy some food as we had been out in the islands for quite a few days. There is a campsite here with all the usual camper vans but there was a couple sleeping in hammocks slung between 2 trees touring on bikes, it looked most uncomfortable.