Day 13 July 24, 2014 ~ Torshavn, Faroe Islands Denmark

Pronounced tor'-shan.

6:30am in the Crow's Nest, watching our approach to Torshaven.

There is a group that shows up in the Crow's Nest for almost every arrival, and for many departures. After a couple of weeks of this, the management started putting out coffee for us.

 

The harbor at Torshaven is very small. We are  amazed that our captain would bring this large vessel in here. I would think he would be in a world of hurt if a good breeze picks up in time for sail away.

 

 

In most ports, we must turn around to leave. I am surprised that our captain almost always chooses to flip the ship on departure. Were I doing it, I would do the flip on arrival, and dock on the other side, so as to be pointed in the right direction for departure. The would be especially helpful if the weather turns. Could it be that, with azipoids in the stern, this vessel actually steers better going backward than going forward?  Other than to say that this captain seems to do a superb job. It is the mark of a true professional that he makes a difficult maneuver look easy. And he looks so young for such responsibility! He doesn't look a day over 35.

We haven't planned on a tour today, we are just going to see what is in front of us. Judging by what I can see out the window, the scenery promises to be outstanding.

 

 

I see the tour busses lining up just next to the gangway. That is an improvement on many of the places we have seen, where the busses were a long walk from the boat. The Faeroese are new enough at this that, perhaps, they are still anxious to please. We hope they have free internet somewhere nearby. There are many tunnels, and every village has a road connection. Ferry services serve Denmark, Greenland, Iceland, and Scotland. Air service to London and further points.

One of the first things that foreigners notice when they come to the Faroe Islands is the distinct lack of trees. Generally plants and vegetation growth are sparse, influenced by the islands’ geographical location and climate. There are no true woods or forests, but there are a few small plantations and grass is plentiful. Only 6 % of the land is cultivated, the rest is utilised as grazing pastures for the approximately 70,000 sheep.

In addition to the ever present sheep animal life is sparse, there are some cattle and horses. However there is a rich and varied bird life, especially seabirds. Further information on birds and bird watching can be seen under migrant birds

 

 

 

 Situated in the heart of th­­­­­­e Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic at 62°00’N, the Fa­r­oe Islands lie northwest of Scotland and halfway be­tween Iceland and Nor­­way. The archipelago is compos­ed of 18 islands cover­ing 545.3 sq.­miles and is 70 mi­­les long and 47 miles wide, roughly in the shape of an arrow­head. There are 1687 mi­les of coastline and at no time is one more than 3 miles away from the ocean. The highest moun­tain is 2883 ft ab­ove sea level and the a­v­­e­­­­rage height above sea level for the country is 982 ft