Setting off from the hotel around the fjord continued as from yesterday, until we met the main road that goes all the way around Iceland. Identifiable because it had some speed cameras, although most people ignored them.
This led us to Borganes, the next major town around here... but much smaller than Reykjavik and the road mostly bypasses it. First across the long viaduct, then heading out before taking the coast road.
Then we arrived at the mountains showing the start of the Snaesfells range. this peak just appeared out of the gloom.
The road curves in and out away from the Coast, so we dropped down to Budakirkja, a coastal town .. only to find the only place that looked like a cafe in town shut.
However all was not lost as it gave us the first sights of Snaefellsjokull.
We dived down the next road to the sea ... again keeping an eye out for food.
Port Arnastappi, had a harbour at the end of the road. with the wind whipping
up the waves it made for spectacular views.
Once again the café was closed, so we continued on to the next village.
Hellnavegur opened at the end to another harbour, but flatter. However, up the coast was more cliffs and a spectacular rocky pinnacle.
This time the café was open - Primus kaffi.
A brilliant soup and bread together with free refill coffee. Just what we needed to keep out the cold.
Once again the café was closed, so we continued on to the next village.
Hellnavegur opened at the end to another harbour, but flatter. However, up the coast was more cliffs and a spectacular rocky pinnacle.
This time the café was open - Primus kaffi.
A brilliant soup and bread together with free refill coffee. Just what we needed to keep out the cold.
Fortified now we set off to the end of the peninsular, however we got
distracted by a car park and a walk at Londrangar .. the path headed off up to
a hillock above the sea ... driving rain and fierce wind.
At the end of the wooden slatted path was a viewing area of the coast and cliffs, as well as inland to the lava debris.
At the end of the wooden slatted path was a viewing area of the coast and cliffs, as well as inland to the lava debris.
As we got to the end of the peninsular, and changed to go north, the sun
started to try and breakthrough.
This brought out a number of rainbows, however they were soon blown away in the wind.
We stopped off at something called the Well of the Irish.. not sure where the name came from, but the mechanism was based on a whale bone structure.
This brought out a number of rainbows, however they were soon blown away in the wind.
We stopped off at something called the Well of the Irish.. not sure where the name came from, but the mechanism was based on a whale bone structure.
This side of the peninsular was more sudden, with the road hugging the mountain sides not really a place to stop often. Then we arrived at a more open area with a roadside parking area. Lots of tourists milling around, so we stopped to join in. Kirkjufellsfoss .. a spectacular waterfall.
From here it was a long drive back to the hotel.. so we continued after a
short pause ... the road continued hugging the mountains weaving in and out of
the valleys.. with a couple of viaducts over sea inlets.
Passing the major road back south, we took a diversion up to the main ferry port of this part at Stykkisholmur, much like Grindalvik from yesterday, however it did give us an opportunity to stop for a coffee, at a café.
From here we continued around the coast, although it was now sometimes a gravel road and sometimes tarmacked.
As time was passing and it would be dark soon, we cut back south on the 55 rather than continue around. This was a gravel road taking the obvious pass back to the road we started on this morning. As we were nearing the summit of the pass it became truly dark, and the driving became interesting on the gravel.
Down the other side we were soon back on a metalled road, and with no scenery to look at we made good time back to Borgarnes. Here we drove down to the port, looking for a restaurant to eat in, having opted not to go to the burger bar. Just before the road ended we stopped at the Settlement centre, which had a restaurant above... a good cod fillet - more like a beef filet in size, but very good eating. A look around the shop below and then back to the car.
Before long we were back at the hotel, and soon relaxing .. not quite ready for the hot tubs in the wind and rain, but chilling, and planning for tomorrow.
Passing the major road back south, we took a diversion up to the main ferry port of this part at Stykkisholmur, much like Grindalvik from yesterday, however it did give us an opportunity to stop for a coffee, at a café.
From here we continued around the coast, although it was now sometimes a gravel road and sometimes tarmacked.
As time was passing and it would be dark soon, we cut back south on the 55 rather than continue around. This was a gravel road taking the obvious pass back to the road we started on this morning. As we were nearing the summit of the pass it became truly dark, and the driving became interesting on the gravel.
Down the other side we were soon back on a metalled road, and with no scenery to look at we made good time back to Borgarnes. Here we drove down to the port, looking for a restaurant to eat in, having opted not to go to the burger bar. Just before the road ended we stopped at the Settlement centre, which had a restaurant above... a good cod fillet - more like a beef filet in size, but very good eating. A look around the shop below and then back to the car.
Before long we were back at the hotel, and soon relaxing .. not quite ready for the hot tubs in the wind and rain, but chilling, and planning for tomorrow.