We crossed a number of the Åland Islands via bridges and numerous ferries today! I was the first morning that I woke up feeling tired and could have done with a lie in, but neither of us wanted to hang around a tick infested forest for longer than we had to so we dispensed with breakfast, got the tent town and peddled out as fast as we could.
We had planned to stop soon for breakfast, but before we knew it, we’d traversed Lemland Island, crossed the bridge onto the Island of Lumparland and reached the end of the road. Minutes later a ferry arrived...
So we pushed our bikes on board and had our breakfast on the top deck!...
...As more islands passed us by in the warm morning air. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the water was mirror calm.
About forty minutes later, we disembarked out of the mouth of the ferry onto the small empty port of Föglö on the island of Degerö.
As the ferry pulled away, immediately and suddenly all was quiet and calm. It was a lovely feeling, and at that moment it felt like we’d really arrived somewhere special.
Sitting on the port jetty, we got the map out to ascertain exactly where we were and what Island we’d arrived at, having basically just ridden into the ferry without asking too many questions. Nearby a beach was marked with a swimming symbol. It only took a few minutes to bike there and when we arrived, we were delighted to find it not only deserted, but also home to a massive diving board! We only dared go off the lower of the two jumps - the high dive was huge.
The morning waking up in the tick infested forest now felt like a lifetime ago and literally was miles away as we larked about in the warm (well 20°C according to a thermometer on the dive platform - not bad for the Baltic Sea!) water.
Feeling refreshed and once other swimmers started arriving, we got back on the bikes and continued across the island. Sonnbodalandet was next and accessed via a long low bridge.
We zipped quickly across Finholma and on reaching the end of the tarmac, rode straight onto the waiting chain ferry which pulled us across to the other side of the water (Torpoint style).
Having paid €6.00 for our first ferry, the ticket allows you to use any of the others in the Åland archipelago for free, which was proving exceptional value so far.
Back on land we had to hide in the shade for a bit. We searched briefly for somewhere to swim, but the water was full of weeds and despite initial appearances, not appealing.
We continued onwards Jyddö with our eyes peeled for swimming areas. It was so hot! We crossed over Långholm, and shortly after, we once again found ourselves at the end of the tarmac. This time at Överö ön the island of Långholm.
A ferry that looked far too big for the channel it was crossing passed us by, and would have crushed the small dock we were at, had it tried to stop there.
Our ferry was an hour away still and just off the headland, we found some perfect launching rocks from which to dive into the deep clear water. This time we floated about until we felt cooled off properly.
After a very enjoyable swim, there was just enough time for a quick snack before our boat arrived to take us on a ninety minute journey north, to the Island of Snäckö, near larger Kumlinge. It had turned into quite a big day as we joined our third ferry of the day!
Less than one kilometre from the ferry, was a campsite. We checked in gladly (€17.00) and got an ice cream as we did so. We cooked up sitting in the evening sun and sleep came soon after...
Total Ride: 37.6km (plus a lot of ferries!)
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