October 1 Vidoy and Kunoy - some of the northern islands

 

This morning we left Gjogv on Eysteroy Island bound for the northern islands. But first we had to again negotiate that precipitous switch-back road straight down the massive Slaettaratnyindur mountain. I think we’re becoming the teensiest bit desensitised to the roads here, but maybe the fact that I keep mentioning them suggests not! And we still come home drained. Today we had to pass a tourist bus on one of those shocking hairpins - of curse it was us that had to hang our wheels over the edge! Not a happy prospect! 

Lindsay is doing an awesome job as our designated driver. We are passing through so many tunnels that I have lost count. A few are two lanes but most are single lane which is a bit scary (you have to pull into a wee spot if traffic comes the other way). Then there are other one lane tunnels which are controlled by traffic lights – they seems to be the older ones built back in the 60s, pretty old and small – 2.8m wide. We popped out the other end ~3km away only to disappear in a dog leg into another. Nerves of steel did you say?! Hah.  Someone asked the need for so many tunnels. The central image probably explains it - towering mountains/hills many of which drop precipitously into the sea. This is a land of deep fjords!

Tunnels aside the day was absolutely wonderful. We drove to Vidareidi the northern most village on Vidoy island. To the north is a 750m high Cape Enniberg, the northernmost point on Faroe Islands and one of the tallest sea cliffs in the world. They say it drops vertically down into the ocean – some adventuring souls climb this high promontory. Sheer madness but …. we instead had a little picnic above the village looking out over a cluster of islands. Glorious.

We snacked high overlooking the sea and islands. The picnic table was held down by large boulders - it's very windy here on the edge of the North Atlantic Ocean

Kunoy island viewed from Vidoy Island

The Vidareidi looking to Cape Enniberg

There were WCs in most villages - thank you!!

We visited many churches and graveyards. This a modern church but many are tradition tuft-roofed

Post picnic we headed over to the island of Kunoy which is accessed via a curvy causeway.   Kunoy is the highest island in the Faroes and is dominated by a magnificent pyramid mountain. To get to the other side of the island and the village of Kunoy? You guessed it – a tunnel. Of course we drove through the tunnel for a look and what a quaint quiet wee hamlet we discovered. I’m not sure how many people visit the west side of the island but the sheep were certainly curious to inspect us.

Approaching the wee hamlet of Kunoy

Tranquility plus!

The hamlet of Kunoy - looks idyllic

Hedges of dainty fuchsia waved us along

Post picnic we headed over to the island of Kunoy which is accessed via a curvy causeway.   Kunoy is the highest island in the Faroes and is dominated by a magnificent pyramid mountain. To get to the other side of the island and the village of Kunoy? You guessed it – a tunnel. Of course we drove through the tunnel for a look and what a quaint quiet wee hamlet we discovered. I’m not sure how many people visit the west side of the island but the sheep were certainly curious to inspect us.

All too soon is was time to make tracks back to Klaksvik where we were staying a couple of nights. Klaksvik is the second largest city in the Faroes and an important Fishing harbour but still a quiet place.  (The Faroes are wonderfully quiet but then we hadn’t reached the capital city at this stage – that was still to come!)  In Klaksvik, we were staying in a delightfully hotel which harked back to more elegant days, a little art deco and almost a suite with views over the mountains and the harbour.

The bed was rather gorgeous with its built in clock and radio etc.