Thursday 1 September: to Mariehamn

 Heavy rain overnight but we wake to sunshine and eat breakfast outside in our private field. The eagle is enjoying the thermals again. I am driving for the first time today and I quite enjoy the leisurely pace and empty scenic roads. There are occasional heavy rain showers now. We cross the archipelago to the west side where we have a coffee in a bizarre cafe which appears to be filled with lorry drivers but decked out like an antique shop with William Morris mugs! We go on Degersands beach where we had contemplated camping one night. It is certainly glorious and quite sheltered from the incessant northerly wind. The water is really clear and more like a proper sea so we are tempted in for a quick dip. No costumes available. After refuelling at a Supermarket we return to the campsite at Mariehalm and enjoy a late lunch Al fresco. We walk along the coast into the town to the maritime quarter. 

Our sauna this evening is on a private deck overlooking the water and reeds. One of the best! Spaghetti Carbonara at home. We have an early start in the morning with our ferry to Sweden. Farewell fair Finland.