Low clouds and still a strong breeze .. the book recommended some springs and
waterfalls to the north (east from yesterday), and we still wanted to visit
the waterfall - Glymur falls - which gave its name to the hotel, beyond the
end of the fjord.
Setting out after breakfast along a similar route to
the one from yesterday ... However once past Borganes we continued on route 1
for a little longer and then turned east along a river basin.
First Stop Dieldartunguhver - hot springs.. we had seen the steam vents on the other side of the valley.. but nothing up close, here we could get right next to them inside the clouds of steam.
There was not many people around, and we had it to ourselves
There was not many people around, and we had it to ourselves
Leaving the steam vents behind, and we continued East to the dual waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss... one is wide open side and the other is a narrow gorge... this was more frequented by people.. and we were not alone which was a shame as others rushed by to met their schedules. We took our time and made sure we got all the views. The other indication that we were on the tourist trail was that there was a collection for using the toilets.
From here we were to return to the coast and seek out the port of Arkanes
From here we were to return to the coast and seek out the port of Arkanes
On the way to the waterfalls we had passed a small collection of houses around a church on a slight rise to the side of the road ... this turned out to be Reykholt church. The part that intrigued me was the old church next to a modern one, so we pulled into the vast (and empty) car park.
The modern church was connected to a library and also a museum (underneath it all with a long saga of the Snorri Sturluson story.. a big name in the history of Iceland.
The old church and the "Snorri" bathing pool, with a secret door into the village compound.
The modern church was connected to a library and also a museum (underneath it all with a long saga of the Snorri Sturluson story.. a big name in the history of Iceland.
The old church and the "Snorri" bathing pool, with a secret door into the village compound.
In Arkanes .. a modern port and very similar to the other towns we had been through, but at the end of a spit of land was an old lighthouse as well as a modern one (further in).
The wind was fierce here whipping the waves up, but walking out to the old structure took us past an intriguing sculpture memorial to some fishermen.
the modern light house was open and we could go up inside .. However the top walkway was closed due to the wind speed, which was unfortunate.
The wind was fierce here whipping the waves up, but walking out to the old structure took us past an intriguing sculpture memorial to some fishermen.
the modern light house was open and we could go up inside .. However the top walkway was closed due to the wind speed, which was unfortunate.
From here we had a further stop before going back to the hotel ... past it and at the end of the valley was its namesake ..the Glymur falls.
We drove up the road and parked in the indicated space and headed off .. there was a warning about the river but we did not take in the full consequences...
The path headed up the side of the hills, before emerging at the side of a drop down to the river. The path went through a cave in the rocks to drop down, before following it for a while.
Then we approached the issue ... the path crossed the river using a thin steel rope and (now submerged) log. In the summer when the river is lower this crosses here and continues up the other side. We could hear the falls around the corner but could not see then, and so disappointed we turned around and retreated to the car.
Then we approached the issue ... the path crossed the river using a thin steel rope and (now submerged) log. In the summer when the river is lower this crosses here and continues up the other side. We could hear the falls around the corner but could not see then, and so disappointed we turned around and retreated to the car.
Back at the hotel Sue persuaded me to get into the hot tubs outside ... luckily they were sheltered from the wind, but could do with being a few degrees warmer ... so it was only a quick dip.
Dinner in the restaurant again as it saved driving to find a place.... nice food but expensive, however we could drink the expensive alcohol as well..
Dinner in the restaurant again as it saved driving to find a place.... nice food but expensive, however we could drink the expensive alcohol as well..