Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless. ~Bill Watterson

My sister Unnur arrived last week, this is my excuse for not blogging (it may not be the truth - but it is my excuse).  There has been a lot happening both at home and at work, all of it good, all of it fun (well, again a stretch - most of it good and most of it fun).  Stebba came north with Unnur, this is an amazing woman for whom I have the utmost respect and admiration.  Stebba was diagnosed with cancer years ago, she is stubborn and resilient and refuses to let it hinder her in her quest for fun and a good life.  She made a spur of the moment decision to come to Iceland with Unnur, am so glad she did - as I say an amazing human being.  I hope that if and when I have to face tough times I will remember and call on some of her strength of will and joy of life.

Another excuse  - which is also a false excuse is that Olga is here and she is always on the computer (liar liar pants on fire)....  It is soo good having Olga here and I think that she is enjoying her job at Áskaffi (I mean how could you not!!!)  She is off back to London next Sunday - Snowman the band has one more big gig to do and then she and Ross return to Iceland - to settle down for a bit with us here in the frozen north.   I know that all will work out well for the both of them and that having them here will not only be a bonus for me and the rest of the family but for the town and the district as a whole.

This weekend was action packed in terms of politics.  Friday was the annual meeting of the local district councils of the North West of Iceland.  It was a totally new experience for me - met councillors from the neighbouring regions to the west - there were over 50 of us there.  Lots of mutual topics of interest were discussed such as the fact that the road works authority has decided to ignore the needs of our districts and that the ministry for the environment has decided that they can stop local councils from planning their areas in the way that the law prescribes.  All to messy and painful to discuss on this blog, but there are a lot of frustrations felt by us all in the dealings between the federal government and local authorities.

This was a two day meeting, with a dinner on the Friday night.  The folk from the majority in Skagafjordur didn´t stay overnight (we drove in one car over, and came back home to sleep - it's only a 35min trip).  Interestingly the minority parties who want the council to save money wherever possible stayed the night and some of them asked their spouses to join them... 

Last night was the big bash for the political party.  Dinner and entertainment and dancing - read Olgas blog for details.... mum had a great time.  I also enjoyed myself quite a bit and trust that I did not do anything to disgrace myself.

Tonight was the family dinner.... those that read this blog have a pretty good clue about what this is all about.  Family, food and just enjoying each others company.  

The food, as usual, was excellent and we all ate too much - hey what can you do -

My wonderful cousins Guðný and Jóhanna - they will be going to Aus to attend Maja's wedding in November - Guðný has a fear of flying - but she is going to suck it up and do the deed.  I am sure that they will have a wonderful time!!!  Both of Guðný's kids have been to Aus and stayed for a few months, so it's about time that she and her hubby see it for themselves.

Atli Björn is Guðný's grandson - he is such a cuty - and before he left he gave everyone a big hug and kiss - such a sweety!!! Most kids would have made great grandma and grandpa do, but not him - he was a total hero!

So the week ahead - vat/gst/vsk tax for farmers deadline on wednesday, council meeting on tuesday, I think that that is as far ahead as I can think...... 

fun times!!!!!

To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment. ~Jane Austen

The last week has been absolutely amazing - the weather has been so good.  Work was fine, although it was the first week back after holidays, it went by very quickly and I was able to take plenty of time off when I felt like it in order to enjoy the sunshine and all the beauty that the fjord has to offer at this time of year. 

My niece Olga arrived last weekend, flew in from London on Saturday and took the evening bus north.  Olga has a job at my cousin Herdís' cafe and started on Sunday at lunch time.  There is a great picture of her and ma on her blog (if you don´t have it you can get there via the list on the right).  Freyja is really happy with this development as it means that there are two of us taking her for the evening walk.  We went for a bit of longer walk the other night and I managed to get stuck on top of a fence... not a very clever country girl am I.

There was barbed wire - well that was my excuse... Having gotten off the fence, we proceeded along the top of the old coast line,  the town looked so nice and the weather was so balmy (well for Iceland!)

I think that anyone who has ever read my blog in the month of August will know that this is the start of the berry season, so far we have gone at least 5 times and that means we have had berries and cream for dessert on at least 5 different occasions.  We went to Holar on Sunday, to check out the berries there and also to give the Freyjamobile a bit of a spin.  Olga took this photo of mum and the dog while we were driving back from Hólar.

Monday today, and back at work.  The sun was shining and it was so hard to concentrate on the things that needed to be done.  I think that I need a job where I can have the whole of August and September off!  Politics is starting again, will spend all day Wednesday in meetings me thinks, ah well, I guess the relaxation had to end at some stage.