Fáilte
Scalloway to Tvoroyri
IOMRAMH 2011.
Scalloway to Tvoroyri, Suderoy
5th and 6th June 2011. (Sunday, Monday)
The distance from Scalloway to Suduroy, Faroe Islands is 180 miles and was expected to take at least 36 hours with bad weather expected for the second half.
A single person watch system was set up, two hours each, with one period by volunteers!
My shift was 5.00am to 7.00am, so I went to bed as soon as we got out on the ocean - about 11.00pm and slept for a few hours. When I went on duty, about 4.30am, we were just passing three oil rigs and after that nothing but water and sky for 24 hours,
AS there is not enough wind, for a change, the engine is running for the entire journey, which is not very pleasant for anyone trying sleep, or even talk. Like trying to sleep on a tractor running at full tilt, the whole boat vibrating madly.
There is a problem with the boats batteries still, which means that we cannot recharge lap-tops, phones etc. There is very little to do when not on watch or sleeping and eating – no internet or phone connection on the high seas.
On the way into Suderoy we passed the islands of Stora Dimun and Litla Dimun and also Baghalholmur, unfortunateley they were too distant to get good photos. The meaning of 'Dimun' in this name is said to derive from 'Celtic' languages 'Dá Muin' = two ridges. Baghalholmur is derived from Bachal = a crozier.
We got into Tvoroyri, Suderoy about 10.00am which was way ahead of schedule and the expected bad weather never materialised and Danny was able to cook dinner while at sea.
As soon as the boat was tied up we jumped ashore and quick marched to the pub– about 50yards!
First problem! When we all had our pints – no money! They did not want Euro or Sterling? Eventually solved by paying for each round by credit card.
Closing time was 11.00pm and, fortunately there was no time difference from the UK or we might have got no drink!! As it was we lashed into the local brew and then found that they didn’t actually close at 11.00 – it was nearer 12.30am. we had singing and music and only ourselves for company. The girl behind the bar spoke English badly and had no Irish! Then back to the boat and tackled a bottle of Glenfiddich which the girls in Scalloway had given us as a parting present.
Some basics about the Faroe Islands:
The 18 islands, about 540 sq. miles in total, lie about half-way between Shetland and Iceland, in the Gulf Stream. THe islands are long and narrow - running north south.
The population is close to 50,000
Since 1948, the Faroe Islands have been a self-governing region of Denmark but are not part of the EU. They have their own parliament.
They have their own language - Faroese which is spoken everywhere, it is similar to Norwegian. Most people also speak English. The old Gaelic name for the Faroe Islands Na Scigirí means the Skeggjar and probably refers to the Eyja-Skeggjar (Island-Beards), a nickname given to the island dwellers.(from Wikipedia).
The Capital is Thorshavn, on the island of Streymoy.
The main religion is Lutheran (over 80% of population).
The main industry is fishing including fish processing. But there is a strong drive to develop tourism