We enjoyed two lovely days in Torshavn, on our hike we had seen a swimming pool, including a slide and even better a sauna. It was almost unanimously decided that we wanted to go there. So this Sunday the big clean was started early and there was motivation to have it done with enough time left to go to the swimming pool. It felt so good to lay in the warm water and have the heat of the sauna on our skins. Tim was also very impressed by the warm room( sauna) I had a hard time getting him to come out again. I think the past couple of years in the tropics may have spoiled him a little and although he enjoys the scenery here he doesn’t like to be outside much and misses the swimming. Once back onboard we just sort of crashed on the couch and read, talked or played games but didn’t get up to much else. A perfect Sunday 🙂

On Monday there was action again, in the morning we did a rigging check and some other standard boat checks, we ran to the grocery store one more time and then cast of the lines, with destination Midvagur. A 25nm sail. I had gotten my tides correct and we went flying past the rocks, island and little villages. I’ve quickly figured out that having the tide with you in between these islands is a lot more effective then having the wind with you. Tacking with 4kn of current from behind is actually fun, the best angles I have ever seen this boat make 😉 We arrived in Midvagur early afternoon and docked on one of the quays. Since there is only a few yachts coming here there are no marina’s or pontoons made for yachts. Instead you moor on the quays which are made for the small cargo and fishing vessels. Usually with big tires on the side as fenders. I love it, we usually fit quiet well, no hassle with small marina’s and the locals have been very friendly and welcoming so far.

We stayed in Midvagur for two days, waiting out some strong winds. One of the days was incredibly beautiful and sunny and we hiked to the witches finger. Which is an impressive rock formation along the coast. The next day was the usual weather again, some of us braved the rain and went for smaller walks through the towns park and looked at some waterfalls. Which, have I mentioned? are everywhere.

Yesterday we sailed from Midvagur to Eidi. A sail of about 35nm. I was planning to sail in between the Mykines and Vagar to look at the waterfalls clattering of the cliff sides, but as we left the harbour a thick fog came in and some lovely criss cross waves greeted us. So we altered course and went in between Vagar and Streymoy. During the journey the fog luckily cleared a little and we were able to still enjoy the scenery of the cliffs around us. We even saw a pilot whale cruising along the coast as we whipped past with the current. We then had bit of ”fun” ( ahum) getting out past Slaettenes point as the outgoing current from Vestmannasund and the North East going current clashed, oh and there was some wind as well. All in all it created some more ”lovely” very steep waves which happily rolled over the deck and halted against our dodger windows… Not everyone’s stomach agreed with it either but once we got out of the outgoing current the waves calmed a little..the sea was still sloppy from the heavy wind the day before though and we continued on a rolly ride to Eidi. Sailing past what are most likely the most impressive and stunning cliffs I have ever seen in my life. The low hanging clouds and casual sun rays shining through helped this impression 🙂 The entrance to Eidi turned out a lot calmer and we found another nice spot within the harbour piers.

Today we hiked the Slaettaratindur, which is the highest mountain on the Faroe Islands at 882m. We hiked from Eidi, which added another 7km to the already strenuous hike. We were however incredibly fortunate as the clouds parted and we had clear views from the tops for about 15 minutes. very cool!! Some say it was harder then Ben Nevis, I personally belong to the group who thought this was easier but I was also glad to sit back on the couch after we came back. We ended today with homemade pizza’s and looking at weather charts and pilots, deciding what our next destination will be.

Laura