The Faroe Islands: 3 Photographs

Gjógv

Gjógv is a village located on the northeast tip of the island of Eysturoy, in the Faroe Islands and 63 km (39 mi) north by road from the capital of Tórshavn. The village was named after a 200-metre (650 ft) long sea-filled gorge that runs north to the sea from the village. You can see the gorge on this photograph. And even though the weather wasn’t all that I still decided to go up on the hill that overlooks the town. I slid down and fell on my face a few times, but that did not stop me from enjoying this amazing view.

Gjógv, I got dirty and soaking wet, slipped and fell on my face a few times. But I just had to get up here to take this shot.

Gjógv, I got dirty and soaking wet, slipped and fell on my face a few times. But I just had to get up here to take this shot.

Kópakonan

The legend of Kópakonan (the Seal Woman) is one of the best-known folktales in the Faroe Islands. Seals were believed to be former human beings who voluntarily sought death in the ocean. Once a year, on the Thirteenth night, they were allowed to come on land, strip off their skins and amuse themselves as human beings, dancing and enjoying themselves.
More about the saga right here: Visit Faroe Islands

Kópakonan (Seal Woman)

Kópakonan (Seal Woman)

Syðrugøta

At first I had this photograph up on my site, saying it was the town of Leirvik. But I was contacted by a friendly Faroese lady that told me that the village on this photograph was not Leirvik, but Syðrugøta. So I was wrong at first. Thank you correcting me misses! Many believe that the great Viking, Tróndur í Gøtu lived and had his headquarters in Syðrugøtu, among many reasons why, is because of the good view he would have had out to the horizon and the short distance to his fleet, stationed Undir Gøtueiði. There are still many unexcavated ruins of centuries old farmhouses buried in the ground in Syðrugøtu. Another fun fact about Syðrugøta: The famous Faroese singer Eivør Pálsdóttir was born here

Syðrugøta

Syðrugøta

Normandy, France, 2015

Back in September 2015 I went to France with my wife, brother and sister and my brother in law. Reason? You guessed it, no reason needed to go to France, that's always a good idea. We just went on a nice little family roadtrip together. Going away for a bit, breathe some fresh air and have some quality time together in a beautiful area.
And obviously I took my camera with me to snap some landscapes. Here's a small collection of the photographs I came back home with.

Étretat

My brother in law is taking some long exposure shots here, go follow him on 500px

We went to Normandy, to the towns of Etretat and Fécamp. Both are incredibly beautiful towns located at the Atlantic shore. Situated between the cities of Dieppe and Le Havre.
The weather was as you expect for this area in September, sunny and warm, but not boiling. Just perfect to go out and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

ÉTRTAT
Étretat is best known for its chalk cliffs, including three natural arches and a pointed formation called L'Aiguille or the Needle, which rises 70 metres (230 ft) above the sea. The Etretat Chalk Complex, as it is known, consists of a complex stratigraphy of Turonian and Coniacian chalks. Some of the cliffs are as high as 90 metres (300 ft). Nature has carved fabulous shapes out of the white cliffs at Etretat. The extraordinary site drew Impressionist painters aplenty.  Another startling attraction is the cliff-top golf course.
 

Fécamp, long exposure

FÉCAMP
Fécamp is situated in the valley of the Valmont river, at the heart of the Pays de Caux, on the Albaster Coast. It is around 35 km northeast of Le Havre, and around 60 km northwest of Rouen. Fécamp has a population of roughly 20.000 people.

The history of Fécamp has always revolved around the fishing industry and its harbour (first mentioned in the 11th century). The beach in Fécamp, like many in this area, is shingle rather than sand—that is, made up of small rocks. The falaises make for a dramatic setting. To the north of the town is the Cap Fagnet, with beautiful views of the town and the English channel.