'm tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn't work. Of course it doesn't work. We are supposed to work it. ~Alexander Woollcott

It was a grey day in the fjord today, still beautiful but strong southerly winds and bitterly cold.  Today is my nephew Magnus' birthday.  I should really do a post about him - he will obviously not be pleased... 

To other matters first.  Yesterday was the referendum about the legislation that went through parliament about the Icesave agreement.  I am not going to waste any energy talking/writing about this as so many others have done it already and done it better than me - see Icelandweatherreport for one.  However, the outcome was as expected - an overwhelming majority of the over 60% that voted voted No.  well, what else was possible - you certainly don't say yes to a law that is already no longer applicable - a new deal is on the table and I think that the turnout was largely due to the fact that other Icelanders like me just really needed a platform to vent their frustrations about the whole thing.  At the same time there are so many other issues going on.  The people that owned the major companies that put the country in its current position are still in charge.  The debts accumulated have been written off and it seems that they will get off scot free.  This is what is pissing me of the most.  Now on tv is the documentary "draumaland" - dreamland.  It was made before the crisis - when Iceland was just thinking about heavy industry and creating more and more hydro power stations in order to feed the aluminium factories.  Stuff nature and tourism potential - just put it all under water and make a power station to feed energy hungry industry.  An industry which is well known for its destruction and ability to manipulate transfer pricing, thereby leaving the countries that it has pillaged without the benefit that should be due them.

Again, there are folk in parliament now that say that heavy industry is the only way out of the current crisis - will we never learn.

ENOUGH!!!!

Now back to Maggi

Here he is with his little brother Gunni.... 

Maggi is probably my best mate here in the north, he is one of those special people that you have in your life, not only a relative but a friend.  Without him I would not have gotten my house in the state that it is today - he worked tiredlessly for me when I was renovating.  He has skills beyond accountancy - he can also put down parketry, do plumbing, paint walls and roofs, take down walls and do minor electrical work.  

He has also been, and is, a great friend to his cousins in Australia, even though they have grown up thousands of miles apart Maggi has always been there to help them with their transition into life in Iceland or to show them what living here is all about. He has also been to Aus to visit twice now and I know that he loves the place... he can see why it is a good place to live - not as good as S'krók but almost!

I won't go on too much as those that know him know what a great guy he is and there is no need for me to rave on here.  So have a wonderful birthday dear nephew - thank you for EVERYTHING!  You are a truly amazing and wonderful person and I am blessed to have you as a nephew and a friend!

In other news I continue looking for new ways of making food for those that choose to come and eat with me and to use the raw materials available in KS (believe sometimes it is a challenge).  So last week it was lightly salted cod cooked in the oven with vegies and mashed sweet potato.  

Mum and I actually managed to finish most of this - for once there weren't leftovers in the fridge to be thrown away in the following week.

So for a final view of the shitty weather that has been this weekend: