A night inside while the rain continued to fall & the fog close in. I was happy to be safe & warm.

All packed up at the hobbit hut & back on the road.
Grateful my packs are starting to feel a little lighter, either I’m getting stronger or I’ve eaten well into supplies or my filthy clothes have walked off on their own.

Farvæl little hobbit hut. Takk fyri for keeping me warm & dry & somewhere to rest my head.
Onto the next chapter of the story.

I went to bed last night with the rain pouring down and fog thick in the night air, hoping and some what praying to the weather gods. I needed to leave selatrað and move on this morning, but with a big distance to do, in these conditions it just wasn’t safe, though I had no alternative.
I woke hearing the rain on my hobbit hut roof, almost too scared to look out the window.

Amazingly I had been given the weather break I’d prayed for; it was time to make my bid for the open road. And what a beautiful one it was.
The weather was continually changing, even minutes of sun, followed by rainbows along with the rain and mists moving down the mountains at high speed. Fully waterproofed up & my bike fairing brilliantly with its new weatherproofing from the magicians at Alpkit. I was happiest back on the road.

I stopped off at the gas station, my regular these last couple of days. I’m feeling like Tom Hanks in The Terminal. Today, my bike flag drawing people to ask; I never thought it would be such a talking point. Two wonderfully friendly women chatted with me, one spoke English, the elder ‘mother’ not. A chance meeting of minutes & I was invited for tea at the mothers house & for a hair wash down at the daughters hair salon further down the fjord!
I am continually so heart-warmed by the kindness of strangers here. Teaching & a special kind of friendship I will treasure.

Another meeting as I pull up; a tall, strong, blonde haired, blue eyed Viking. He is most genuinely impressed with my Faroe adventure challenge, he had that look in his eye of someone who really gets it. We chatted about the very old northern islands tunnels where he lived. He comments how I must have very strong arms, & smiling, I say, “clearly not as strong as yours”, noting his great biceps! He tells me he is also a fan of extreme challenges, an ocean rower, having set numerous ocean speed records. He really was fascinating to talk to, we chatted Talisker Challenge, & I certainly felt there was more to this guy..

My gut feeling was right. This chance encounter at the gas station, was with world ocean rower & painter, Livar Nysted. Holder of 5 world records in ocean rowing, breaking a 114 yr old record in 2010 along with Briton, captain Leven Brown & two other crew members of the rowing boat Artemis Investments, to cross the North Atlantic Ocean. In 2013, crossing the South Atlantic Ocean & later that same year, the Indian Ocean.

Living in a small fishing village in one of the northern islands, Viðoy, Livar’s story is even more incredible. The sound where he lives, is where his uncle sadly drowned. And Livar himself almost too. At the age of 7, together he was out on a boat, with also his cousin and brother and a friend. The boat hit something and was ripped apart. He couldn’t swim. His cousin saved his live, while his brother had to be resuscitated.

Livar was not interested, nor did he start rowing until he was 29 years old. From there he was hooked, and a champion made.

I knew there was a story behind this man, the Faroe Islands really do hold so many secrets, legends and real life heroes. I am so chuffed to have randomly met Livar this morning, I pulled up as he was leaving, a second or two later it would never have happened. Fate is an incredible thing. The universe does move in extraordinary ways. 

I have ridden back over to Streymoy and into the big smoke (well fog after bright warm sunshine), in search of a remote office for a couple of hours. Tórshavn library did just fine.

I’ve got a couple of days off the road & any big miles & giving an elbow niggle a break while working with Útilív Adventure Festival, starting with tomorrow night’s theatre talk.

Heading back up to the stunning Nordic House where I met this beautiful steed, ready for a great night with Útilív Adventure Festival.

I'm also hoping I can get involved in a pretty special island clean up on Sunday, safety ropes essential.

It doesn't get much more raw than an adventure talk, while you're in the adventure!

I loved being part of Utiliv Adventure Festival, I managed to wash my clothes and my hair, though didn't have any make up to look presentable other than my Albus & Flora lip balm which has been very much an adventure (and adventure talks) staple.

Photo credit David Altabev photography

TUNNELLLLL!!

It’s been a morning on the bike, followed by a refreshing afternoon swim to keep these arms in tip top shape, and getting a bit of speed cross training in while I can. My elbow certainly thanked me for it and I now feel a good tired.

I must admit, I’m raring to put in some good miles on the bike over next week. I guess it’s true, a change really is as good as a rest!