Click for a detailed map of the excursion.
We were coached down to the main harbour where all the boat trips were
and boarded our small boat. There was room for about 15-20 outside and
about the same number inside. Naturally all the photographers, at least
those who got on board first chose outside seats. Our boat was called
the Skulaskeid and after our safety briefing we set off.
As we sailed out there were several grey painted
ships; three were coastguard and one was navy. There was a small ship made to resemble
a viking ship that came out with us but the were cheating as the had an engine.
This could be inferred since no one was rowing and the sail was only partly unfurled,
yet still they were making reasonable headway. We also had a good view of
their manificent concert hall, a very clever design.
The island that we were heading for was
called Akurey and was uninhabited apart from the birds. We thought that
the puffins would have gone by now but as we approached the island they were all over
the place, dashing to and fro with their characteristic flight. There
were also several arctic scuas chasing them trying to pinch their fish.
There were also kittiwakes, fulmars and eider ducks. Black guillemots
should have been there but I didn't see any.
The whole excursion lasted about an hour and a half once we got
started. The coach trip was about 15 minutes each way and the boat trip
about 20 minutes each way with 20 minutes at the island. There had been
complaints from the previous excursion today, that there was only 20 minutes looking
at the birds, but in reality you could see all there was to see in that twenty minutes.
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