Faroe Islands, August 2015

The Faroe Islands are an archipelago consisting of 18 main islands, 17 inhabited, and many smaller ones, located between the Norwegian Sea and the north Atlantic Ocean, approximately half way between Norway and Iceland and north-northwest of Great Britain. They are a self-governing country within the Kingdom of Denmark. They were part of the Kingdom of Norway between 1035 and 1814 when they were given to Denmark along with Greenland and Iceland. The currency is the Faroese Krone, which is at par with the Danish Krone. The notes and coins are the same size, but Faroese bank notes have Faroese motifs. The main languages spoken are Faroese, Danish and English.

Tuesday, 4th August 2015

Tórshavn

Tórshavn is located on the south-east coast of Streymoy Island. It was founded by Vikings in the 8th century and has been the capital of the archipelago ever since. The city has Mount Husareyn to the north west, and the high Kirkjuboreyn to the south west.

View down a sloping gravel path with the buildings of Tórshavn, as well as the harbour, below. The glow of the rising sun reflecting through cloud on to the sea beyond. Tony in the foreground.View down a sloping gravel path with the buildings of Tórshavn, as well as the harbour, below. The glow of the rising sun reflecting through cloud on to the sea beyond. Tony in the foreground.

Tony at the rear of the main Vesturkirkjan church. The end of the triangular wooden roof pointing high into the air behind. This church was built in 1975.Tony at the rear of the main Vesturkirkjan church. The end of the triangular wooden roof pointing high into the air behind. This church was built in 1975.

Tony at the side of the harbour. A row of small private boats behind. Larger cargo and passenger ships over on the opposite side. A variety of vessels including local ferries connecting with other Faroese islands and large cruise ships dock here.Tony at the side of the harbour. A row of small private boats behind. Larger cargo and passenger ships over on the opposite side. A variety of vessels including local ferries connecting with other Faroese islands and large cruise ships dock here.

Looking along a side of the harbour, backed by an attractive terrace of buildings, some colourfully painted.Looking along a side of the harbour, backed by an attractive terrace of buildings, some colourfully painted.

Tony outside Tórshavn Cathedral, the second oldest church in the Faroe Islands. It is built of wood and painted white. A clock tower in view above the main doorway. It was established in 1788.Tony outside Tórshavn Cathedral, the second oldest church in the Faroe Islands. It is built of wood and painted white. A clock tower in view above the main doorway. It was established in 1788.

Outside the cathedral's main entrance. Tony with an Italian backpacker who he met in the hostel.Outside the cathedral’s main entrance. Tony with an Italian backpacker who he met in the hostel.

Tony sitting on top of a grass covered hill overlooking the harbour. A small red and white painted lighthouse standing alongside.Tony sitting on top of a grass covered hill overlooking the harbour. A small red and white painted lighthouse standing alongside.

View of the lighthouse and the sea below. Tony standing in the lighthouse's doorway.View of the lighthouse and the sea below. Tony standing in the lighthouse’s doorway.

A row of old canons on a high cliff overlooking the sea. Tony leaning on a canon in front.A row of old canons on a high cliff overlooking the sea. Tony leaning on a canon in front.

The open grassy landscape near the hostel where Tony stayed. It’s a mountainous area about a 2-3 mile (3-5 kilometre) walk to the downtown area. Steep gravel trails through picturesque scenery make the journey shorter and more pleasant. The open grassy landscape near the hostel where Tony stayed. It’s a mountainous area about a 2-3 mile (3-5 kilometre) walk to the downtown area. Steep gravel trails through picturesque scenery make the journey shorter and more pleasant.

Tony in the foreground with a shaggy long-haired sheep behind. A single storey stone building beyond.Tony in the foreground with a shaggy long-haired sheep behind. A single storey stone building beyond.

Tony by a stream. Scenic view of the landscape looking south to Kirkjubøreyn mountain, its top shrouded with cloud.Tony by a stream. Scenic view of the landscape looking south to Kirkjubøreyn mountain, its top shrouded with cloud.

Wednesday, 5th August 2015

Heading down a road. Buildings on the edge of Tórshavn spread out over the grassy terrain.Heading down a road. Buildings on the edge of Tórshavn spread out over the grassy terrain.

View of Norðragøta, a small town on Eysturoy Island. Eysturoy is the second largest of the Faroe Islands, located east of Streymoy. The town sits in a fjord. Scattered buildings in the foreground with a steep slope rising up to 400 metres behind.View of Norðragøta, a small town on Eysturoy Island. Eysturoy is the second largest of the Faroe Islands, located east of Streymoy. The town sits in a fjord. Scattered buildings in the foreground with a steep slope rising up to 400 metres behind.

Another view of Norðragøta. A wide stream flowing in front amongst long grass.Another view of Norðragøta. A wide stream flowing in front amongst long grass.

A main street in Fuglafjørður, a small settlement that sits at the end of a fjord in the north part of Eysturoy. It has a small tourist office.A main street in Fuglafjørður, a small settlement that sits at the end of a fjord in the north part of Eysturoy. It has a small tourist office.

The harbour in Fuglafjørður. Mountains in the distance partly obscured by cloud.The harbour in Fuglafjørður. Mountains in the distance partly obscured by cloud.

A slipway at Fuglafjørður's harbour.A slipway at Fuglafjørður’s harbour.

Houses in Fuglafjørður. These modern houses have corrugated metal roofs, while traditionally they would have been covered with turf.Houses in Fuglafjørður. These modern houses have corrugated metal roofs, while traditionally they would have been covered with turf.

Looking down towards the harbour. A ship being unloaded.Looking down towards the harbour. A ship being unloaded.

A road heading uphill on the edge of Fuglafjørður. Beyond a mountain disappearing up into the cloud.A road heading uphill on the edge of Fuglafjørður. Beyond a mountain disappearing up into the cloud.

Colourful mural covering the side of a building, probably a school. It includes a school girl holding a bag, a goose and a butterfly.Colourful mural covering the side of a building, probably a school. It includes a school girl holding a bag, a goose and a butterfly.

A stream with water flowing over a small waterfall. Still in Fuglafjørður.A stream with water flowing over a small waterfall. Still in Fuglafjørður.

Thursday, 6th August 2015

Tony on-board a traditional wooden fishing schooner, built in Norway in the late 19th century. Other passengers sitting around the deck.Tony on-board a traditional wooden fishing schooner, built in Norway in the late 19th century. Other passengers sitting around the deck.

A woman rising a sail on one of the boat's three masts.A woman rising a sail on one of the boat’s three masts.

View from the boat back towards Tórshavn, which is now off in the distance.View from the boat back towards Tórshavn, which is now off in the distance.

Tony at the boat's wooden tiller.Tony at the boat’s wooden tiller.

Another view of Tony at the tiller. The rocky cliffs of Nólsoy island, just off Tórshavn, can be seen along side.Another view of Tony at the tiller. The rocky cliffs of Nólsoy island, just off Tórshavn, can be seen along side.

The cliffs with birds visible nesting on ledges and in crevices. The birds nesting here include puffins.The cliffs with birds visible nesting on ledges and in crevices. The birds nesting here include puffins.

A lighthouse standing on top of a high rocky headland on Nólsoy island.A lighthouse standing on top of a high rocky headland on Nólsoy island.

More high craggy cliffs. White specks of nesting birds can again just be made out.More high craggy cliffs. White specks of nesting birds can again just be made out.

Looking towards the bow of the ship. Passengers admiring the view.Looking towards the bow of the ship. Passengers admiring the view.

Tony sitting with other passengers on-board the ship with cliffs again along side.Tony sitting with other passengers on-board the ship with cliffs again along side.

Tony under a whalebone arch on Nólsoy. This small inhabited island is 5 kilometres (3 miles) east of Tórshavn. It has a tourist office and café.Tony under a whalebone arch on Nólsoy. This small inhabited island is 5 kilometres (3 miles) east of Tórshavn. It has a tourist office and café.

Looking down a street in Nólsoy village. A cluster of houses in front and beyond the three mile wide channel separating Nólsoy from the main island of Streymoy. Tórshavn is just visible away in the far distance lit by the sun. Looking down a street in Nólsoy village. A cluster of houses in front and beyond the three mile wide channel separating Nólsoy from the main island of Streymoy. Tórshavn is just visible away in the far distance lit by the sun.

Looking into the empty yard of Nólsoy's small school.Looking into the empty yard of Nólsoy’s small school.

View of Stongin Peninsula at the north end of Nólsoy island. On the peninsula is a steep rocky hill with its top obscured by cloud. Birds flying overhead, which might include European Storm Petrels, of which Nólsoy is home to one of the world’s largest colonies. Atlantic Puffins and Black Guillemots also inhabit the island.View of Stongin Peninsula at the north end of Nólsoy island. On the peninsula is a steep rocky hill with its top obscured by cloud. Birds flying overhead, which might include European Storm Petrels, of which Nólsoy is home to one of the world’s largest colonies. Atlantic Puffins and Black Guillemots also inhabit the island.

Heading up a narrow unsurfaced road on Nólsoy. A couple of houses sitting on the exposed grass covered slope.Heading up a narrow unsurfaced road on Nólsoy. A couple of houses sitting on the exposed grass covered slope.

A picturesque view across the sea to Streymoy island. The low light of the sun reflecting on the water.A picturesque view across the sea to Streymoy island. The low light of the sun reflecting on the water.

A field of long grass with sheep grazing. Another view over the sea towards Tórshavn.A field of long grass with sheep grazing. Another view over the sea towards Tórshavn.

Continuing uphill along the narrow road. A single isolated house approaching amongst the grassy scenery.Continuing uphill along the narrow road. A single isolated house approaching amongst the grassy scenery.

Rocky track following the coast, raised up above the cliffs. Flowers growing in the grass on either side. Other islands discernible off in the distance through the cloud.Rocky track following the coast, raised up above the cliffs. Flowers growing in the grass on either side. Other islands discernible off in the distance through the cloud.

Another scenic view across the sea towards Streymoy. Light reflecting through the cloud overhead.Another scenic view across the sea towards Streymoy. Light reflecting through the cloud overhead.

More isolated houses and a pair of wind turbines on the ridge of the hill in front.More isolated houses and a pair of wind turbines on the ridge of the hill in front.

Heading back down hill into Nólsoy village. Approaching houses and a small white-painted church.Heading back down hill into Nólsoy village. Approaching houses and a small white-painted church.

The harbour in Nólsoy village. A handful of small boats in front.The harbour in Nólsoy village. A handful of small boats in front.

Small industrial buildings around the harbour.Small industrial buildings around the harbour.

Back in Tórshavn

Monday, 10th August 2015

Close-up of Tony sitting in a shelter.Close-up of Tony sitting in a shelter.

Niels Finsens Gota, Tórshavn's main shopping street.Niels Finsens Gota, Tórshavn’s main shopping street.

More boats in a corner of Tórshavn harbour.More boats in a corner of Tórshavn harbour.

A road running along the side of the harbour. Many small boats moored in rows. Terminal buildings on the far side.A road running along the side of the harbour. Many small boats moored in rows. Terminal buildings on the far side.

Larger cargo ships in another part of the harbour.Larger cargo ships in another part of the harbour.

A man working on a wooden sailing boat at the side of the harbour.A man working on a wooden sailing boat at the side of the harbour.