Days 103 – 104 July 24th and 25th 2018 Torshavn to Haldarsvik
Back to the 70’s – getting back into that solo travelling independence of the 70s but this time there is age and a little more comfort involved particularly the credit card to bail you out of whatever.
As the days go by driving on the right becomes less stressful – I won’t say easy. I keep thinking brain function and swapping sides. There is something that lets my brain know where I am on the road when driving on the left but goes for a holiday when driving on the right. The only good solution I have found so far is to pick up hitchhikers and give them the job of watching the right.
So after a couple of days in Torshavn I again picked up a car – no more Little Red Car – this is a Big Black Car and manual gears! Pleaded for smaller car and automatic but to no avail, I was assured it is a lovely car to drive. After having to go back in and ask how to start the car I was on my way. And it is a lovely (big) car to drive.
Making my way to Haldarsvik I began to get more confidence and settle in. Picked up supplies at a supermarket on the way and found myself on a beautiful but narrow road to Haldarsvik. No opportunity for looking at the view – a look to the right means the car follows suit! I got quite adept at the pull-off-give-way thing.
It was surprisingly easy to find my new home in Haldarsvik and what a little treasure of a home. It was right beside the famous Octagonal church. It really was a tiny house – low ceilings, low door frames, tiny stairways and the benches set at a perfect height for my 148cms. I was in heaven. It might have been lucky Chris was not here – bruises and concussion highly likely. For me 3 nights of bliss.
Day One I planned to hike from Haldarsvik or Tjornuvik to Saksun over the mountain path. On hearing it was “tricky” and the path not always well marked, and being a little unsure being on my own.
I opted for a simpler walk. Tjornovik is a small village at the end of the road and I decided to walk from Haldarsvik instead of drive so I could view the scenery. Good choice.
The walk was about 3.5km between the two villages, with very little traffic. A lovely walk around the hills, along the coast line, looking out over the fjord to the cliffs on the other side. Passing by small waterfalls, steep basalt cliff walls and nosey sheep.
I loved the sheep – stopping, not moving away, with a bored look as if to say “Go on take my photo and move along”!
Walking into Tjornuvik was a winding downhill path with a full view of the village at the base and the small wineglass bay surrounded by tall cliffs. Despite the seemingly chilly (for me) conditions there were people swimming and lounging on the beach.
Stopped for a picnic lunch on the wharf looking out to the entrance of the bay and the cliffs across the fjord. After a wander around watching the townspeople hanging lines of grass over fences and meandering through the little village I came across the coffee and waffle stall. As soon as I saw it I remembered photos while researching the Faroes. A nice treat for the day – a waffle, jam and cream and cup of coffee.
On the walk back I met an older Faroese woman and despite no mutual language we managed a conversation which included discovering she had an uncle, niece, and nephew in Melbourne. The walk back was equally as pleasant as the walk to the village. So nice to come home to a cosy welcoming house.
