Day 19 Tuesday 17/7 North Iceland continued

Before I report on today’s happenings I must let you know about our interesting accommodation. I think I have mentioned in an earlier post that many, farms around Iceland have now set up large guesthouses/hotels on their properties to make the most of the tourist boom. All of the places we’ve stayed in have been very comfortable and clean. In several, we’ve had our own facilities and in others they have been shared. Some have been designed as a large home. Last night’s accommodation was exceptional. It was located on a remote farm but had everything you could wish for. Our evening meal was included and imagine our surprise when we found out it was a full 4 course buffet! The choice and quality of food was outstanding and quite a few of the foods came from the farm eg the lamb and dairy goods. They baked all their bread products on site. Breakfast too was just as good! As promised, we left our guest house a little earlier than usual so we could revisit the geothermal area around Lake Myvatn. The weather was much kinder to us and we were able to wander around the boiling, bubbling mud pools with the beautiful aroma of sulphur filling our noses! It is both a little scary and interesting having so much volcanic action in one small country. We then went on a hike around the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir and once again were impressed with the lava formations. From here we on to ANOTHER beautiful, powerful waterfall, Gooafoss (the waterfall of the Gods). We then continued on to Akureyri, a large town situated at the head of Iceland’s longest fjord. Here we stopped in the botanic gardens for a picnic lunch. This town has red, love-heart shaped lights for their stop light in their traffic lights…..??? We continued on towards our next guest house, travelling through beautiful landscapes of deep valleys carved by the glaciers. We also stopped at a place very close to where Agnes Magnusdottir was hung. The Adelaide author, Hannah Kent based her book, Burial Rites on Agnes. She was the last women hung in Iceland.