Le Lac Myvatn

A magical cave leading to a natural hot bath. I saw a few ghost images in mine and others photographs taken inside this cave.

Big crater

The landscape round Myvatn

Back on my island, the tranquil false Spring is continuing....

I spotted a pod of whales here yesterday, whilst soaking in the infinity perspective hot tub.

A waxing moon over downtown

This is the kitchen of the old community centre

according to the islanders, it's haunted...

Fort de l'hiver

The long awaited feast of Thorrablót................

Imbibing material; my brewskies, plus a complimentary drink of your choice. I chose wisely; the malt mixed with apple was useful in removing the after burn of the food.

Low-light ambiance at the Thorramatur

My place setting. There were poppadom-like breads on the table, plus mashed potato, mashed swede, a song book to follow the lively songs and a little paper with some wise words printed on it.

The food is revealed...

The Pink Half: salted lamb, salted horse and I think the little bacon looking pieces were pig face.

The Beige Half: head cheese (quite foul), soured whale blubber, ram's testicle, dried fish, rye bread, flat bread, butter and some other stuff I can't remember.

The finger food, AKA rotten shark. This stuff is BRUTAL. Imagine jellied wee wee that smells like industrial grade ammonia, and you're getting close.

Stuff gets plated

This photo was taken after I'd finished eating, when even a spoon full of mashed potato would have made me hurl.

Home decal at the after party house

Drink it in. 

But don't eat Thorra food too often.

Transport et enfants

The kids enjoying the Carnival celebrations; bashing a barrel with a stick until sweets fall out

Typical mode of transport for the island.

Mardi Gras

In Icleand, Shrove Tuesday is called Sprengidagur, which means bursting day, as you're required to eat till you burst in preparation for Lent. I started off my gastronomic explosion with wholewheat Icelandic style pancakes, topped with Skyr, bananas, blueberries and rhubarb jam.

Later on I was treated to split pea soup, potatoes and salted lamb by the shopkeeper and his family.

Joined by salted horsemeat

a delicious concoction!

Happy Mardi Gras!!

Angelica

Árskógssandur micro-brewery, on parade!

Let the bjór flow...

 Where the magic happens

The specialties

Bjór brewed with the Icelandic Angelica plant. This beer is nuts.

This is a beer they've brewed especially for the Icelandic season of Thorrablót (Midwinter festival). I've bought a few in preparation for the island's Thorramatur.

Savour the detail...

So, you've seen the beers, now see how to drink them...

Don't forget the blood-stained forehead

Grímsey

Touch down on LV4-26, AKA the Isle of Grímsey

Can someone get Vasquez out here to hot-wire this hunk of company junk??

Grímsey,

although it straddles the arctic circle, has fine temperatures moderated by the expanse of ocean around it. At first glance it reminded me of the Old Country...

...rusty ol' washing line an' all! (note the Lord of the Rings style mountains on the horizon, the camera doesn't pick up on just how large and fantastical they appear to the naked eye)




This is a production still from Dorks Run Wild 2: Toadal Meltdown

Dr Seuss grass! You can jump from tuft to tuft, just like you're on the moon.

The tip of the island. Next stop: Santa's House. NAWT! Cause he doesn't exist right?

....Right??

The City of Gulls, see if you can spot the Mom and Pop outfit staking out their lil' patch of home sweet home...

The trip back (Ferry price: extortionate. Raucous nausea: free of charge) My fjord is the hospitable looking one.

Back on the mainland. Road tripped to Olafsfjordur and happened upon this cute-as-hell residency studio! Triggering the onset of official residency envy.

Ég elska Olafsfjordur

Montagnes de bonbons

There's a mountain inside every candy bar, each one is special.

X X

La voie rouge

Goathen dayen Hrisey!

It’s pretty Icelandic out here. I went for a walk this morning, seeing as there’s a break in the weather.

I took the red route outta town, that’s the longest walking trail on the island. Each picture I took cost me a burning hand for a minimum of 5 minutes, so I am now adroit at unlocking my phone with my nose.

They flood some buildings in orange light, which in low light snow enviro's, looks pretty impressive.

.

 I wasn't being watched, but I kinda was, if you know what I mean. I mean it's kinda crazy, but, well, you know what I mean.

Right?

The Greenland Sea and a ruined medieval homestead, where common gulls glide low about the cliff face.