The coldest day yet

14th August

After an early breakfast we left Akureyri at 08:05, to be in Varmhelid - well, in fact on a gravel track a few Km South, to be at the Arctic Rafting  centre by 09:30. Rowena & Dad kitted up in "drysuit" (which let in water through the feet as soon as I stepped into the river) & joined 6 others on a short bus journey then a 1.5 hour inflatable-raft journey along a river. The canyon part was particularly fascinating - basalt dykes poking out into the river & a couple of hot water springs along the side. A group of horses grazing in a small sheltered meadow. The strong North wind made paddling quite hard & we all got rather cold.


Unfortunately there are no pictures of this.


Meanwhile Clara went horse riding (alas, also no pictures) in the wind. We were all impressed that she didn't make a refusal, and she was so impressed by the experience that she asked for a horse for Christmas : an Icelandic one of course. Clara suggested we could "keep it in the garage".  


After this we set off on the Kjolor route - a "highland crossing". The road got rougher & rougher & when we arrived at hveravellir in the rain & very cold wind, the only obvious thing to do was take off our clothes & go for a swim. Well Rowena & Dad any way.