Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive. ~Anäis Nin

Finally back in Blog land.... it's been a while - but there has been a lot to do.  End of September to the beginning of October was all about finalising VAT returns and getting back into the local politics gig. Then on the Friday an old friend was coming for a weekend visit.  Sara and I went to High School together - way back in the dim dark ages, we weren't in the same social group at school, but were in classes together and became friends again on facebook a few months back.  Well, Sara has decided to take life on and grab opportunities that come her way.  As we all should do.... so she decided to come visit.  As her time was so short here, I decided to drive down to Reykjavik and pick her up from Keflavik airport.... As can be seen from the photo - this required a change of tires.. Winter is on it's way.

 Sara also had a long journey - driving down from Dudley - near Birmingham - leaving at 6am and arriving in Iceland at around 5pm..... We went to the hotel, checked in - walked down into town, had a bit of dinner and then decided to veg at the hotel... twas a nice evening, getting to know each other again and trying to work out what memories we actually had of one another.... afterall it was over 30 years ago!

 The next day was supposed to be an action packed touristy day - the weather decided differently.  So, we went to the fake Geysir near the hot water towers in Rvk..... it wasn't blowing!  Reason - the winds were too strong.

 I did drive out to Thingvellir though and the autumn colours were amazing!  However, getting out of the car and having a wander around was not really in the deal - so much rain - so much wind.  So off we drove - this time on a inner road which on the positive side meant we weren't back tracking - but on the negative - it was a lot longer and the road wasn't bitumised... just an old country track...

 After two hours we arrived back on the bitumen... and what was there to greet us - this amazing rainbow....

 As we didn't do the normal "golden circle"  Gullfoss, Geysir, Thingvellir - I took her on the Sunday, to our local smaller foss (foss means waterfall) this one is called Reykjarfoss, which means smoking falls.... why smoking... - there is a hot water on that bit of land just above the falls.

It is not as big as Gullfoss, but certainly just as beautiful, so many layers - like a Sara Lee danish... 

 This is Sara next to the hot spring... had it been a little bit warmer I am sure that we would have had a dip...

 Later that day Sara boarded an internal flight back to Rvk in order to catch her plane on the Monday..... little did she realise as she boarded that her passport was still at my house, in the duty free bag that contained my cigarettes and the bottle of wine that we couldn't open in Rvk on day one due to lack of cork screw....  Not to worry - she got home and after an hours interogation at Heathrow they figured that she really was British and wasn't trying to smuggle herself into the country...


The week that followed was hectic, meetings, meetings. work, then a conference in Reykjavik...yes twice in two weeks... so my birthday was spent in the company of local councillors and politicians... it was ok... but not what I would usually choose to do.  I got a lift back to life (ie home and the dog) with my brother and sister in law - like me they were going to partake in the Horse Libations the following night.  Yes, it's that time of year - a night of horse, foal, horse, foal.... yumm


The evening began with a foal tartar..... and boy was is good.... raw meat never tasted so good...

 The next dish was horse sausage... I think that my nephew in law Ross could give them some hints in terms of spices - but even so - it was yummy......

 Next was smoked foals tongue - oh my goodness me - this was really really really good.

 The red stuff on top is deep fried beetroot.... crispy  For mains it was horse and foal fillet, you could breath it in - no chewing required, so tender, so moist and so so tasty.

 Finally for dessert, mousse, white and dark chocolate... I don't think that they were able to get the mares milk for it.. not to worry - it was yummy - in fact so yummy and I so greedy - I forgot to take a photo....

I used the fact that it was my b day last week to convince mum that we should stay the night at the hotel... It´s not far from home - but at the time I booked I figured that I would want my red wine with the meal and didn't want to encumber others to be drivers... Mum was quite happy with the set up so we spent a pleasant night in the hotel and had a lovely breakfast this morning with the hotel owner...... she is married to a cousin (yeh, we are all related).....  Another great Horse feast over for another year - would you believe I can't wait till next year!
 In other news, today, I finally got around to building the platform required for the installation of my new old stove.

I am quite impressed with my carpentry skills.... I made this out of the old side posts from my old bed and the two remaining bits of parketry that I had left over from doing the floors when I arrived.

I did think though that it would be best to get an electrician to do the connection..... my brother did what I shoulda and coulda done.... but am so happy he did it instead... mind you he couldn't have done it without me there as the TA (trades assistant for those not in the know)

 And here it is in it's full glory.... and tonight I cooked a "back" of lamb and it was yummy!!!

According to Ingi - one of tonights dinner guests (and the electrician that was going to connect it for me), this is one of the original versions of this truly authentic Icelandic made cooker..... I love it!