September 28 first day Vagar Island

 

A room with a view - from our hotel window

Today was our first day in the Faroes on the island of Vagar – there are 18 islands in the group and all but one are inhabited and 6 regions most of which we were to visit. This day turned out to be perfect weatherwise and the scenery glorious – it was a stunning day.  Our first taste of this fairytale place didn’t disappoint – towering lush mountains, long-haired sheep, turf-roofed houses, tiny villages.  Enjoy the postcard story below!

The village of Sorvagur from where the Mykines ferry departs

Lots of cute little boathouses renovated as tourist accommodation

Pretty 'highland' cattle came to the fence to say hello

There are lots of skerries and islets in the Faroes - the shapes are rather fanciful.

Marine farming is everywhere where there's good water

The sheep roam free and often look as if they are glued to the steep slopes

Even new structures have turf roofs

This is the beginning of the Gonguturur walk - we just looked!

Delightful picnic spot

Location location!

Quaint church watched over by a huge slope dusted with snow 

Fearless sheep just move aside as you approach - or not!

We found the ‘lake over the sea’ – Sorvagsvatn or Leitisvatn, which appears suspended above the sea (it’s a blind fjord). We tried to find a road to drive around it but weren’t able to. But we found a lovely sculpture along the shores – the Nix.

“According lo Faroese folklore, the Nix lives in water and has his dwelling down at the bottom of the lake, though frequently he comes up on dry land. it does not bode well to encounter him. He lures people to pet and stroke him by appearing as a beautiful horse who is kind and tame. However, once you touch his tail, you are permanently attached to him. He will never let you go but drags you off to his home at the bottom of the lake."

This is a magical place complete with myths, legends and sagas. 

Sorvagsvatn

The Nix

We drove through our first tunnel and there were many more to come. Quite scary driving into the darlness only to have a swt of headlights come bearing down on you.  And we found a supermarket to stock our mobile larder – hooray.  Hard to know what's what but exploring supermarkets in foreign countries is always rather fun. We had a picnic that night.