Streymoy is the largest of the Faroes, in which the capital, Torshavn, is situated. Judith, our friend who has taken both the apartment where we are staying and a hired car, took us a wonderful ride to see the northernmost part of the island.
First we went to Tjornuvik, a delightful village from where we could look out to two terrific stacks on the north of the nearest and next largest island, Eisteroy. Then we retraced our steps for some way and took another road to Saksun, where the sea comes between high cliffs to form a sort of lagoon. There is a fine little church just above the lagoon and among the very few buildings, one is open as a museum.
Jul 08, 2008 12:00 AMA wander around Torshavn
Just had lunch. Nothing I had read about Torshavn, except Wojtek's report here had given me any inkling of quite how good the older part of Torshavn, Tinganes, is. I found it utterly fascinating.
Strictly speaking the Færoes are an autonomous province of Denmark but in many ways it feels like a separate country - as it possibly will be before long. The way the old Faroese Government buildings merge in with old residences is like nowhere else I've been.
This was incredible luck. It's possible to be here a long time without views, such can be the mist - but this afternoon just got better and better.
First our friend took us up a mountain road for views of a couple of fjords and then to the historic village of Kirkabour. I'll put more about this in a report when I go home.
Jul 07, 2008 12:00 AMArrived in Færoes
Terrible trip as far as Vagar (Færoes airport) starting with a security alert at Manchester. Great weather on landing and beautiful bus trip across to Torshavn, where our friend has taken a house.
Looking forward to islands exploration.
Mar 20, 2008 12:00 AMCarn Euny, iron age village
We went to Carn Euny last time we were in Cornwall and I mentioned it in my reports then and posted one picture. We liked it enough to make it a repeat on our recent visit.
Here is a particularly attractive example of an iron age village. Stone houses were probably built in the first century BCE and the village was occupied until late in the Roman period. It is made more interesting by its fogue or underground chamber.
Our cross collie loved leaping across the sites of the old houses and followed me through the fogue. For her the visit was made even better by the presence of a 6 month Old English Sheepdog, Biggles who was 'looking after' a man doing repair work for English Heritage.
Mar 11, 2008 12:00 AMBack from Cornwall
We returned from our Cornish holiday on Sunday - just before the storms hit the coast. The north coast has pretty exciting surf even when the winds are much lighter but this must have been extremely dangerous. Everybody was advised to stay well away from coasts in Devon and Cornwall. It should hit us here tonight.
There were masses of primroses and violets, which are unlikely to be seen in Yorkshire until much later. One drawback was that the ancient settlement of Chysauster is closed until the end of March.
We did some revisiting of sites which I have reported and photoed before - but I think some of my pics this time may be improvements so I shall be putting them up - and we did get to some different places as well.
As for reports, I'll look at the two I did last time and see whether I have enough to justify another one.
Jan 25, 2008 12:00 AM2008 travel plans
For anybody interested:
We started the year having booked another week at the cottage in West Cornwall, where I stayed before, in early March - when it should be spring there but won't be here. We also expected to go to Mauritius in September for the wedding of our eldest son.
Three things - two negative but one immensely positive - placed plans after the Cornish trip into an area of complete uncertainty.
1. The wedding has to wait as they have to install a complete new central heating system - but as a dress was bought for the Mauritian climate, it's likely to be there eventually.
2. My eyes have been giving me a lot of cause for concern. One still does but the other, following a cataract removal, is better than it has been for at least 25 years. Thus this ends with no negative connotations.
3. A friend, who visited the Faeroes a couple of years ago and is atking a house there this year, found herself short of company for the last 10 days and invited us. We were very keen to go but had to satisfy ourselves about my heart situation. It now seems almost certain that, short of a severe problem with the heart in the interim, we shall be going. If you don't know why we should find that exciting, just have a look at Wojtek's wonderful report at http://www.globosapiens.net/wojtekd-travelogue/Torshavn.html
Aug 30, 2007 12:00 AMScottish Highlands ahoy!
Pam and I are taking the only cure for Scottish Highlands Deficiency Syndrome in September. We are taking a bothan for a week at Polbain, near Achiltibuie in the north-west overlooking the Summer Isles.
I hope to be able to upload some photos and maybe publish new or illustrate old reports. Anybody interested can read about where we are going on http://members.aol.com/hpsourcer/bothan.htm
May 08, 2007 12:00 AMPatience required
Those geese had vanished last year when we returned from Italy. Thet are using the same place exactly this year. I look every day but she's still sitting. There was quite a gaggle of apparently unpaired geese on the main mill pond - but meanwhile - see photo -somebody has got on faster.
Apr 27, 2007 12:00 AMProof of imbicelity?
At Porto Moniz the day after my diving without water at Monte. The swollen lip was a result but not the silly look, which was occasioned by the sun; that's my story anyway and I'm sticking with it!
