ABOUT GOTSKA SANDÖN
Gotska Sandön is a national park and was opened in 1909. The solitary little island is managed by the Gotland County Administrative Board, who have passed down the upkeep of the meadows to Gotska Sandön’s Local Heritage Society. They are aided by volunteer members who rake, make and haul hay and help build and renovate. The volunteers are not paid, but instead are given free travel, accommoda tions and meals during their visit. Kerstin Lundberg and her husband Johnny have made the hay hauling trip five years in a row. The team of workers on a trip like this consists of 8-10 people who are all responsible for getting the job done properly in a week. – Some years it's been really dry so it only took a couple of days, but other years it's meant very long and intense days to get it all done in time, Kerstin tells us. The reward for her is the experience in nature
Gotska Sandön is located in the Baltic Sea, 38 km north of Fårö. The island is a 3.5 hour boat ride from Nynäshamn and about 2.5 hours from Fårösund. The trip is trafficked by m/s Gotska Sandön, which is specially adapted for docking on the island with its several kilometre long beaches and lack of harbour. For more information about travel and accommodation: www.sandoresor.se A small part of the island was under national park protection from 1909, but in 1963, the national park was expanded to include the entire island minus the small churchyard in the south west. The highest point is 42 metres above sea level and is located on the Höga åsen sand dune. Most of the island is covered in forest, primarily pine trees. There are no shops or stores so visitors must bring their own food.
combined with the lovely togetherness of the group, and she tells us that some people become life-long friends. The hay hauling team in particular has some common traditions, such as a daily coffee break at 10 under the oak tree of the old farm, herring lunches, and not least, many swimming breaks. A morning dip before breakfast is considered a must, just as an evening dip after a hard day of work. – And at least one more dip during the day, she laughs. When you have long stretches of sandy beaches on every side, like Gotska Sandön, it's not hard to understand that you would want to swim. And often! Kerstin's favourite place is the beach that goes by the name Franska bukten. It’s a ways off from Fyrbyn and Lägerplatsen, but is well worth the walk. – And it makes your swim all that much better, Kerstin concludes. "
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