Sailing with Olaf and Stefan
In the early morning hours we have arrived at the Vestmannaeyjar in a mean drizzle. Here we will enjoy a thorough body cleaning at the local swimming pool.
Furthermore, this will be our last port of call before we leave for our crossing to Greenland.
In Tórshavn we waited until the storm force wind as subsided. It had been produced by the seemingly perpetual low pressure system across the Northern Atlantic which eventually has moved westward. We let the energy go out of the system before we made use of the strong favourable wind to embark on the crossing to Iceland. Riding on the back of the monster– this is only possible with an excellent weather forecast.
We use satellite communication to receive weather and ice intelligence while at sea. However, once we are on our way there is little we can do. A sailboat is too slow to run away before the monster should it decide to go the other way….
While we where leaving the Faroe Islands through the Vestmanna Fjord we where duly impressed by the towering mountains that dropped in utter sheerness to the ocean. These mountains provide the only obstacle for clouds for hundreds of miles and those linger around the mountain tops.
As a photographer I found a difficult to show the greatness of these views. I chose to convert the pictures into gray scale because in my view it serves better to let you appreciate the fine views we had when we were leaving for the long crossing to Iceland.
We were impressed by the remoteness of some villages that we have passed on the way out of the Faroe Islands. What might there be to do especially in the long winter months?
This fishing gentlemen explained to use very knowledgable that you can ferment cod by hanging it into the sea breeze. Within some weeks the meat will be transformed into soft but apparently very tasty fermented cod. Traditionally this will be eaten with whale blubber and potatoes.
We did not have any.
We are staying a day in Tórshavn and wait until a truly nasty weather with high winds and driving rain subsides.
We were quite impressed by the colourful houses which are partly traditionally covered with grass.
Furthermore, everywhere in the harbour there are rowing boat crews practicing rowing despite the harsh condition. Small Viking ships rowed by their descendants.
After a fast journey in which we at times even had sunny weather we have arrived at the Faroe Islands.
Two sailors scorned while turning northward in the Sound of Yell:
“Forecast of stormforce? Oh, what the hell!
For us a violent gust
is a manly must!”
And they survived as you can tell.
We have received a lashing in the Sound of Yell which is notorious for its tidal eddies and rips. Nothing serious happened. We waited on the anchor at Burra Voe until the wind has turned for a quick ride to Faroe Islands.
After a fast cruise we have arrived in Lerwick on the mainland of the Shetland islands. We are looking forward to a night of undisturbed sleep in the harbour.
Strong winds help us across the North Sea towards Scotland. On our way we pass the oilfields which look spooky at night and still alien at dusk. Yet, they provide wealth for these regions of Scotland and Norway.
