Day 19. Saturday 1 June.

First day of summer, so of course it was very wet and windy in Torshavn. An early departure for the 40 km drive to the airport planned for 6 AM) meant that after the first wake at 2.21, there followed starts at 3.30, 4.25 – and then surrender, lying awake until it was that time that we might as well get up anyway. Some might remember those days of ‘nothing else to do, might as well go to bed’ – this was in reverse. A cup of tea partially helped, and we were on the way by 0545. The good news was that we had the roads pretty much to ourselves, and then the rain stopped as we drove into the airport – which was deserted. There was that initial dread that we’ve somehow missed something important – like the date, or a cancelled flight. But the airport began to slowly fill as we finished off our breakfast sandwiches.

The flight itself took under two hours and we flew over THE Bridge*. We were in our apartment nine hours after we left Torshavn.

It was an intially easy transition to train from Copenhagen airport to Central Station albeit with a few challenges: a full train, high steps from platform to train, and very crowded standing room only. T did spot what appeared to be an empty carriage section, and was about to claim a seat, then saw the sign ‘First Class,’ momentarily thought what the heck, but then reconsidered because no one else was pushing the envelope (are they really so serious here?)  On arrival, there was a deluge of people from several trains all trying to get up the same narrow stairs and escalator. From there, getting any usable information about bus, metro or train routes from Central Station was mission impossible. The first help desk officer just handed D a map and said that was all he needed: it wasn’t. The next, a lady at the Information Kiosk, advised us that we’d need bus route 250S or 34 but she couldn’t otherwise help us. Perhaps we are being reminded of that old Army adage – the six Ps – that ‘prior preparation prevents piss poor performance’? Anyway, we just missed a 250S so waited for the 34, to be told by the grumpy driver that this was the wrong route and all we needed to do was read the bus stop information, which of course meant nothing to us. Bystanders couldn’t help, so we approached the next 250S bus, and found a helpful driver, who promised to tell us where to get off. As we got off he gently told us that you should exit from the back. Obviously, rules are rules. A long walk to the apartment, and a wait until it was ready. The young man checking us in was able to tell us that there was in fact a bus stop just as few minutes away. We needed to check the validity of that advice, because his credibility was suspect: when we explained where we’d just been, he told us that the Faroese are actually Danish – from what we’d observed, this was far from the reality. But he was right about the bus stop.

The apartment is very hip and edgy/industrial…all black, minimalist, a single open space with concrete floor, exposed concrete columns and ceiling and of course an open shower area where water goes everywhere and D commented that the TV can’t actually be watched in its position, with strong light pouring in and the two sofas at right angles to the screen. Spacious, new and well appointed – we’re not sure if it’s an old commercial building/factory/store converted to apartments or whether it’s a new building made to look like an old one done up. We suspect the latter!

There are apparently permanent residents – these apartments sell for around one million Australian dollars. There is a very good supermarket on the corner of the apartment building, much like an IGA. And it sells beer and wine! And a nice touch – a temperature controlled waiting room for man’s (or woman’s) best friend – but this sad doggy missed out, probably being toughened up like Faroese babies. D didn’t like the way T was looking at him.

D is continuing his research into beers, with some assistance from his helpmate. The tea pot is a challenge – but one that T will accept and overcome, with some assistance from her helpmate. The outcome for both endeavours will likely be similar.

*See Bron/Broen at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1733785/