Iceland Trip Account - Day 10

Day 10

• Double digits, yay! This morning when I got up mum, dad and JC had already left for car tyre replacement. Once they got back it had pushed out time forward than our usual leaving time of 9:00 to 10:20.
• Our first stop was Thjodveldisbaerinn [location shown on map marker] which is a mockup of a long house which settlers from around 1,000 years ago would have lived in. Although a little bit more wood was used in the mock up (for safety reasons) than the original (when wood was very sparse for them back then) it was still very close and was very interesting to go in and experience a hint of what life was like back then.
• We originally wanted to go up another mountain which overlooked the the volcano Hekla but unfortunately access to even get to the base of it was shut for power stations being built and new roads so we bailed and went down river to Hagafjal. This valley started just off the road at a cluster of farm houses where we made friends with two very friendly labradors and their owners kindly allowed us to park on their land to start our trek. I never anticipated the sun to be like it was today. I am so glad I packed a sleeveless top and shorts as well as lathering myself in sunscreen. I was laughing to myself last night because I have a gradient tan from sunburnt on my forehead to pale white on my chin. This is from looking down at where I am going on the uneven terrain whilst the sun is beating down on us!
• As we neared the highest point of the valley; Marion, Francis and Alex headed up a small mountain on the side of the valley whilst the rest of us relaxed on some super soft and comfortable moss on a saddle of rocks at the base of said mountain. We chatted and relaxed whilst watching the silhouettes of the 3 mountaineers reach the little peak.
• On the descent we encountered the farm horses who were keen for some fresh grass that was of course out of their reach as well as some curious calves feeding. At the car we were greeted once again by the dogs (one older and one much younger), the younger one brought a palm sized block of wood that we threw endlessly before leaving whilst Alex and I filmed as it charged through the dusty gravel to catch it’s prey.
• Once home we settled eagerly into the hot tub before eating. Tonight Cathy and Mum watch Frozen seen as Catchy has not watched it before. Good stuff.