Faroes.2

Blue sky days are rare in the Faroes, and I was doubly fortunate to have booked the ferry to Mykines, the most westerly of the Faroe Islands, and the most primitive of the truly inhabited islands.

The trip out took us past the incredible rock architecture of Tindhólmur island (summit 262m, with one side hideously steep, and the other vertical!), and the nearby stack of Drangarnir (see extra). For a while I wondered where we could possibly land on the cliff-girt coast of Mykines, until the ferry swung into a tiny rocky inlet and in seconds we were alongside the jetty. I understand why it can't run on three days out of five!

Once on land I walked up the steep path to the village, paid my fee to hike outside the village, saw a few puffins, and headed up to the island's highest point (Knúkur - 560m). On the way, I was treated to views across the sea to the spectacular cliffs on the west coasts of the islands of Streymoy and Vágar (in picture). At the summit, four guys were installing kit on the phone mast, presumably taking advantage of the good weather. There was still a strong wind, though.

The village itself (see extra) might be from the middle ages, with chickens, geese and ducks wandering the narrow lanes between the houses, and no cars, but with a helipad and 4G everywhere.

As we return, the cloud is building up, but I can live on this day for a long time!

Extra for Julez, who knows what it is to work (essentially) alone in a chipper. Interesting that the note to customers is in English, not Faroese!