Scoresby Sund Expedition – Our departure from the Faroes

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Day 156 – 158 Tuesday 25th to Thursday 27th August

Day 156

Paul has never been to Torshavn, the Faroes capital city, so we decided to jump on a Number 400 bus for a relaxing day trip. Here’s an interesting fact, Torshavn has fewer hours of sunshine than any city in the world, and I think that might well be true!

I was beginning to feel a bit like a tour guide as I have visited Torshavn many times before and shown lots of crew members around.

A very fine hardware shop!

My tours are a little bit weird as I will show everyone the best hardware shop, an industrial shipyard and where to buy the cheapest dried chewing fish. I am not sure I am cut out to be a cruise ship tour guide just yet.

It was a bit weird seeing the harbour almost devoid of yachts. I suppose most have fled to avoid the impending September storms. The yellow yacht had just toured Iceland and was soon heading home towards Brittany. We may catch up with them in Stornoway.

After seeing the sights, and getting my hair cut, we went for a beer and had a good chat with a chap called Ronnie from Nolsoy. Amongst other things we chatted about Durita Holm, who I had met in Barbados. He said that the next time we visit we must go to the extra special Nolsoy festival. Well just maybe.

We very nearly missed the bus home but the mad run to catch it confirmed our thoughts that we are not as fit as we used to be.

Day 157

The day started with some excercises! We have been studying the weather and the formidable tides. It seems the wind will go light on Thursday evening and begin to come from a northerly direction on Friday morning and then build to about 20kn. We then studied the tides using the RAK app and it looks like Thursday at 18:15 GMT will be the best tidal gate to leave by. There could be some fog and then heavy rain as we pass the islands. I had a concern about running into a fish farm in the fog but a chat with the affable Harbour Master assured me the coast that we would sail by was all clear.

That decided, we went for a “stout walk” as Paul would say. There was a board at the start of the trek stating that the route was classed as “easy”. I dread to think what a difficult walk would be!

The walk starts at Leirvik’s football pitch
It is well marked, and takes you over the hill…..
…and down to the next village.

We caught the bus home (which was FREE) and went to the bowling alley cafe for supper.

As we walked back to the boat we saw some fishermen unloading their small boat with crates of fulmars. The small young birds are apparently too fat to fly and they just scoop them out of the water with hand nets. One boat took 400 birds yesterday. It is a local delicacy.

Day 158

We will leave this evening so there are many jobs to do. We have enjoyed our stay here and can highly recommend it as a quiet secure harbour with spectacular views. It cost 200 Dkr per night. Next stop Stornoway.

6 responses to “Scoresby Sund Expedition – Our departure from the Faroes”

  1. A great travelogue – safe journey south.

  2. Great stuff! Might catch you for a curry at the county hotel if we’re still in Stornoway when you get in.
    Fair winds! Tim & Alex

    1. Wow, that would be a treat! We will sail as fast as we can with that goal in mind! Hopefully see you at the weekend.

  3. Safe passage, hopefully you’ll have a smooth trip down to Stornaway. Bon voyage!

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