How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were? ~Satchel Paige

We all made it safe and sound in the Freyjamobile to the party at Akrar... It was huge!  An amazing spread of food, wine and entertainment.  Svana runs a hotel, there is a community hall on the farm... but no - she got the biggest party tent available and had the party in her back yard.... Sweet.

One am.

Next day - Áskaffi with the lovely Kristín María

Such a great day!

Today in the the forest above town

The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land. ~G.K. Chesterton

Another glorious day in the fjord today.  Started relatively early with mum coming in a fluster - she needed to get to the shops before her visitors arrived at lunchtime (her sister and an old friend of theirs).  So I convinced her to come with me and Freyja on our morning walk up in Skógarhlíð.  This is a small forested area above the paddocks that are just above the town.  Freyja and I love it here as we always seem to be the only ones there.

As you can see beautiful blue skies and very little cloud cover.  Just amazing.

This is what an Icelandic forest looks like.  Most of them have been planted quite recently and when they are planting them they tend to plant the trees very close together - this gives them a chance at survival - by giving each other a bit of protection from the winds.  Once established though,   they continually need to have areas cleared so that the bigger trees can grown even taller.  (at the moment the tallest trees there are around three metres)

After the walk and the shop I decided to go to the Freyjamobile and do some well needed cleaning.  Ended up with a spray disinfectant used by restaurants and solariums to clean down surfaces - I think this was a good move, also borrowed electricity and the vacuum cleaner from the Minjahús to vacuum the carpeted surfaces - which are EVERYWHERE.  Do you know how much I hate carpet???

Freyja came along to make sure that I did a good enough job.  I am not sure how she will go as a passenger in the car, tonight will be the big test.

This is an unfortunate angle as the table top makes her jowls look rather strange.  She looks a tad concerned.

Then she found her prime position - I am just waiting for her to jump on top of the dash and sit there. 

Stay tuned - if I have time tomorrow I will post about tonights adventure on the farm (Svanhildur's 40th).  Mum, Freyja and I are going in the Freyjamobile.  Mind you I am also working at Áskaffi tomorrow, will take my camera there too.

A small town is a place where there's no place to go where you shouldn't.” Burt Bacharach quotes (American Composer and Conductor, b.1928)

Its been a busy few weeks here in the North.  So I have been rather slack with the blogging business.  The main reason though was that I had the cold from hell.  It is still hanging in there - but thankfully getting better.  On one of the worst days I decided to make a big vegetarian dinner..... Which ended up being for just me and ma......  Not to worry - the no showers got to eat it as left overs.   The reason for the vegatation dinner was that Jon's wife Libby is not fond of red meat.  Can't understand it myself but I am thankful to her for making me stretch my kitchen limitations and learning new techniques with veges and pasta sauces.  

Here are the happy couple - well I think they are happy.... Libby used the opportunity and went to my cousin Þórdís the hairdresser for a bit a new look.  I think that it looks rather lovely!

Sunday the 11th was museum day - and as a part of the celebrations the local farmers brought out their done up refurbished tractors.  There were at least 8 of them from various decades of the last century.  The minister for agriculture and fishing joined them and drove one of them to the museum.  The crowd was amazing over 1000 visitors which is a new record.  On the same day cousin Sirri the museum administrator was down at the presidents home awaiting the results of who would get the honour of being named "museum of the year", unfortunately hers lost out to the museum of modern art.  I can't understand it myself but hey - such is life!  I know for a fact that her museum, Sirrý herself and her staff really really really deserved the recognition!  Maybe next time!

In other news I have new neighbours.  A bunch of wasps have decided to make their home in a tree that is just outside my lounge room window - am not happy!  However, the exterminator guy is currently bed ridden after a back operation.  So they will get to live a few more weeks.  It grows daily - am waiting for them to start making nests inside the house....

Another not so welcome animal is now on display at the minja hús across the road.  This is Jón Viggó the polar bear that lost it's life on the nearby mountain pass.  They look so cute until you zoom in on the teeth and the claws.

I decided to enjoy the good weather and take Freyja for an extended walk in town and to take some photos for you guys to see what is currently happening in the town.

Robert the baker is painting the bakery - the concrete building is a nice chocolate brown whilst the older wooden portion will be cream with chocolate brown trimmings.  It's starting to look rather good.

Ma is now the church warden from 4 to 7pm during weekdays.  Here she is on the church steps ready and willing to show guests our cute little church.

This one is for Vicki - her post office looking all nice and fresh.  Maybe this time round her offer will be accepted.  

Went passed Jóhannas where she was outside with the grandkids enjoying the sunshine.  As you can see the weather is rather nice.  Mind you headwear is necessary in the cold north wind.  

We went a little further to check out Steina's new lawn.  Looking rather good.

Then I decided to check out Herdís' shop where she is now taking handicrafts from local craftsmen and selling them on commission, the variety is amazing as are the materials that people are using to make stuff out of.

For instance this amazing brooch, made from fish leather and horse hair!!!

Even more stuff that utilizes the fish leather that is produced here in the fjord, yes those cards have pictures on them made from fish leather!

Local business persons.... Robert the baker and cousin Herdís owner of the craft shop and the proprietor of the best little coffee house north of the 66th parallel!

Any committee that is the slightest use is composed of people who are too busy to want to sit on it for a second longer than they have to. ~Katharine Whitehorn

It's been a busy busy week and a bit in the land of Ice.  Well, especially here in the north.  To brighten everything up on the weekend we had lummudagar.  This is the second year that this has been done - and I think that it is here to stay.  Friday night was a fire and singing down by the waters edge, remember last year - when Troy went swimming for a ball???  No such heroics this year.

In other news mum bought herself a mobile home... Needs a new paint job - but according to those that know it was a good buy.  So, expect me ma and the dog to be on the road for the rest of summer and autumn.  

Some random people enjoying the evening outside Kaffi Krók.  As you can see the them is blue for the old town.

Meanwhile back in the garden we had a family grill party with the neighbours from across the way.  Twas all very civilised with table clothes and cutlery.

Bjössi and Rúna and Atli Björn.  Uncle Bjössi had just come back from Reykjavik where the doctors had been having a shot at doing some prodding and cutting.  So far there is no definitive news on the situation - but he is as he always is stoic and the loveliest man (next to dad he is the best!)

As the evening progressed the drinking slowed down - see no alcohol on the table.... 

During the height of the festivities folk piling into the old town to check out the wares.


Mum is currently on holidays - yes mum goes on holidays away from me and Freyja.  It is organised by a fund that is specifically for housewives.  Anyone who has ever been an unpaid wife and mother is eligible to apply and go on holidays for a very good price - 15.000 ISK for 3 nights away from home complete with food and accommodation and organised tours.  I think that she is somewhere near Borganes checking out the western bits of iceland.

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. ~Abraham Lincoln

Today is the 17th of June, Iceland's national day of Independence, it's been 66 years since we took our indenpendence from the Danes.  You see we had to take it as they were then being occupied by the Germans and so really had no say in the matter.  Today, ironically, the EU is discussing Icelands application to join that group of fragmented countries.  My personal belief is that there is no need, under the EES agreement we have all we really need.  But that is another story.  

To start the day mum and I went up to the cemetery to put flowers on dad´s grave.. and for those in the know the potato has been planted!

As you can see the weather today was classic, so I took ma and the dog for a long drive and we enjoyed being alive in Skagafjordur on a beautiful summers day.

The lovely Sauðá valley - somewhere i would like to take a long walk this summer.. Can´t wait for holidays!

mums little rock garden - so nice!

Then we went to the formal celebrations down at the sports oval.  The chief of police and assistant!  Don´t they look spiffy!

The maddams were there and mum.

Cousin Alli and family - I just don't see these people enough. 

and to end the evening there was an outdoor concert across the road.... which is still going on.  


Night folks and happy days!

To silence another, first be silent yourself. ~Latin Proverb

No photos today.

Firstly twas a sad farewell (on my part) to Nick yesterday.  I feel so bad about just not having been there or done enough for him while he was here - I blame it on politics - but that is not really true - the blame lies in my being a slack b.... and should have and could have done more!  Nephew Nick is one of those truely beautiful people that you sometimes have a chance of encountering in your life.  Such a gentle sweet soul that is there without you realising it.  A person that doesn´t need to assert himself - he is who he is -  I think if the Dalai Lama was looking for a replacement he should have a chat to Nick.  I know I am ranting, but people like him are so few and far between - and as a result so difficult to describe or explain... they just are...

Let's try another angle...

Have you ever met someone that you instantly like - for no reason.  Being around them is comfortable - there is no need for unnecessary talk, they don't talk about themselves, unless directly asked, they listen to you - like really listen and respond when necessary - and the responses are always well thought - never flippant.  They genuinely seem to enjoy life and all that it brings.

Yeh, I know rant... sorry, but he is a wonderful person!  Hope he realises this!

In other news, council meeting yesterday..  Hmmm.. what can I say.  I am a member of the majority that is trying to destroy democracy - well that is the twist from the opposition.

Short explanation.  Most committees have 3 sitting members 2 from the majority and 1 from the minority.  During the last coalition run there were two parties in the minority so they let the party that wasn´t getting a seat in the standing committees a chance to have a sitting member in the committee with no voting rights but a chance to voice their opinion and make bookings in the minutes etc.  Well this time round there are three parties in the minority.  what they now demand is that the tradition continues and that all parties are represented in all standing committees.  So you have 2 from the majority and 1 from the minority with voting rights plus 2 more from the minority with the right to speak and make bookings.    (there are far too many people who love to be in committees and attend meetings me thinks)... then add to this that if you are a member of the minority without voting rights - should you choose to attend a meeting you will be paid 10.000 kr (AUD 100) not bad for a couple of hours of sitting and listening and having a point of view.... call me sceptical.  I wonder what is more important the chance to have a say, the chance to disrupt or the fact you get paid to be there.....

Needless to say me voicing my opinion here may end up back in my face in a couple of seconds time.  But hey, my opinion. my blog,  and hey who knows what the motives are behind other peoples actions - I certainly don't - I just have an opinion..

There are two types of fisherman - those who fish for sport and those who fish for fish. ~Author Unknown

It was seafarers day today, however, this being Skagafjordur the main celebration was on Saturday (this way they can have a big dinner/dance and drinking night after the fun at the harbour).  As a part of the day lots of weird and wonderful fish are put on display - including a shark - the one that we then cure for 6 months and tastes disgusting and is full of ammonia.  

In other news Freyja has developed a taste for red wine - no not really, however she did want to make sure that the box got in the picture.  

As a part of the celebrations there is a rowing race between the different trawlers, the fire department and the rescue service.  Klakkur (a trawler) won this year.

Not only are things happening outside - there is also a coffee buffet to raise money for the emergency services (search and rescue) Lots and lots of yummy cakes and breads.  I went with Jóhanna and Finnur and little Halli - he is such a cute kid! 

Tonight we had the family dinner at my place, served up foal curry and a leg of lamb for the less adventurous. Twas rather nice - even if I say so myself!  

Another good weekend about to come to an end.  The start of another week and another adventure.  Life is good - hope it's good for you too!

If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal. ~Emma Goldman

So number one highlight of the week is that my nephew Nicholas is here for a 3 week visit - such a nice guy!  My brothers and sisters have created such wonderful people - so proud of all of them.

Me, I have a dog

Desperate to escape into the real world.  Look at the state of my door and this is the second curtain that she has ripped!  currently discussing the next option for the window on the door - it sheds a little too much light into my world....

Here they are enjoying a glass of red... ofcourse

In other news the political party that I am affiliated with increased it's following to over 40% here in the region... very good news.. the thing below is our last minute pamphlet to encourage people to vote for us to keep 4 people in the council.  Viggo was in position number 4 and the pamphlet basically was this is your choice - do you want Viggo or the other guy... The other guy got in too, but I think it swayed a few that might have voted for one of the other lots.   So, the last few days have been meetings, meetings, meetings - a little work thrown in as well, when opportunity allows... Poor Nick - not a good time to visit me - but it means he has plenty of quality time with his amma.

Later folks!