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We started the day with a walk from our hotel to a Herring Museum. Herring fishing is credited with shaping Iceland and their modern society. At times it accounted for up to 35% of exports. Its first processing plant was built in 1911 and at times shifts lasted 48 hours. By 1968 it was all over due to either overfishing or the fish stocks moving. There are now strict quotas divided between Iceland, Norway and Russia.
We visited a breeding farm of purebred Icelandic horses this morning and were treated to a performance by two of them to see the five different types of gaits that they are renowned for Including the fifth gait - the 'Toit', a fast but smooth gait. There are 40 different types of Icelandic horses and over 100 variations of them In colour. They are unique to Iceland and were bought to Iceland by the Vikings in the 9th century. To ensure their uniqueness other horses cannot be imported and if a horse leaves Iceland for competition it cannot return so that the unique breed can be maintained. We also treated to another Icelandic tradition- choral singing. The owners of the breeding ranch sang a
traditional song in Icelandic - "Home on the Range".
Our hotel for the night is in a golf course and outside our room there are two spas to use. I had a swim before dinner in the spa. They are heated at 39 degrees by underground hot water piped to the site. We woke the next morning to horrible weather. Rain and the forecast of possible snow. It was the wind that made it unpleasant however we ploughed on and got off the bus when requested. All the cold weather gear that had not been used came out.
We drove to Deildartunguhver which is the world's largest and most powerful hot spring with a flow of 190 litres of water per second at a piping hot 93 degrees. Most of the water is used to heat homes and businesses in two neighbouring towns. The hot water travels through a 64k pipeline and is about 80 degrees when it reaches the towns.
Our next stop was Hraunfossar waterfall (Lava Falls). These waterfalls are formed by water streaming over a distance of 92 metres out of a lava field which flowed from one of the volcanoes under the glacier
Langjokull. We also saw the Children's Falls, so called because over a 100 years ago two children drowned after falling into the water from the natural arch which had formed. We almost met the same fate taking photos as the wind gusts were really strong. On to Reykjavik and the end of our tour.
A few observations about touring Iceland:
- we would recommend tours that include breakfast and dinner. Iceland is expensive and exchange rates further colour your opinion.
- we travelled in early May and yet many restaurants/ tour venues were not open. Iceland has an employment problem. This caused some restaurants not to be open because school is not yet out so they were having to import staff from other countries
- weather can be an issue. We were lucky to have a bulk of sunny days but our last day gave us an indication of what could happen. Winds sprung up, rain fell and there were dustings of snow. Sections of road that we had enjoyed in the sun a week before were now closed.
- the scenery is spectacular and varied and unspoilt. The many waterfalls etc have not fallen
victim to commercialism. The natural beauty is still there for everyone to see and you are left on your own as far as safety goes. Eye-opening for us that come from societies where you are regulated to the nth degree.
Back to the UK for more family time , our night at the Ritz and then home to Australia on 19th May (today). I'm a bit slack.
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