Stongfjord

Yesterday with the storm refusing to calm down we were boat bound for most of the day, we were both massively impressed by the quality of the Fenders, thanks Boat Fenders Direct, they certainly can handle a lot!! With the wind set to stay in the south we made plans to head to a more sheltered anchorage when the wind dropped enough. The bracing force 9s held on to the very last moment and we decided to have a further explore of Færøy, the island has one track road on it, and this links the two main settlements, we walked along being kept dry by our Westray Processors waterproof jackets, and quickly ran out of track. While the road may be short the island like many others has numerous houses only accessible from the sea, each with their own pontoon.

One of the many narrow gaps

We got up early this morning and untied before 6am, hoping to catch the best part of the day for travelling to a more sheltered anchorage further north. The morning was dull and overcast and we pushed on at 4-5knots, keeping a good eye out for other ships, motorboats by far out weigh sailing boats in Norway, and pleasure crafts are usually spotted going well over 20 or 30knots, or to the contraire stopped completely, fishing anywhere and everywhere. High speeds aren't just reserved for the pleasure boaters though, and today we spotted one of the many high speed ferry's, capable of speeds in the high 30knots, they certainly close in on you quickly when your travelling at sailing speeds.

Much calmer in the inner leads

We had marked a few possible stopping places on the charts and had decided to follow the inner route, cutting between larger islands and mainlands, which usually means you can avoid the worse weather and swell. Sometimes, as today, it means you have to go through seemingly impossible narrow gaps, because the rocks head straight down you can basically go anywhere. We were squeezing through gaps narrower than the length of our boat, something that takes quite a bit of getting used to! Especially when used to Orkneys shallows.

Waterfalls in Eidsfjord

We headed slightly in land about half way along Stongfjord, turning East in to Eidsfjorden. At the southern head we anchored for a few hours, getting a bite to eat and organising the boat below rumbling waterfalls.
We have to spend a few days in this area sorting a few bits to do with the engine now, so with the sun breaking out from the clouds we headed further inland to the head of Stongfjorden, a small village set between snow topped mountains and steep ridges which was home to the first aluminium mill in Scandinavia.

Snow still lining the view in Stongfjord

We have been warned but only seen the effects of fallvinds once before, today with the wind from the South you would think we would be very well sheltered in Stongfjord, but the winds can funnel through the fjords and cause massive gusts, and sometimes winds much stronger than elsewhere. We're still keeping our fingers crossed for the promised sun at the weekend and hope to explore his area over the next few days.