Within the meantime, I made a decision to hitch my husband on a piece journey up north to Akureyri, the capital metropolis of North Iceland. It was mid-March and I do not often journey within the wintertime, I take advantage of the winter months for studying and writing.
However I do not remorse accompanying him as throughout our 5 days up north I felt like I had entered a fairytale world – Winter Wonderland. And now I used to be in little doubt of what I needed to jot down about 🙂
High photograph: Minjakirkjan church in Akureyri
The Akureyri theatre
When my husband was working I roamed the streets of Akureyri for hours on finish and took in the fantastic thing about the second, and numerous images.
I used to be mesmerized by the attractive surroundings. I had by no means visited Akureyri within the wintertime earlier than and was so glad that it greeted me with such lovely climate.
A beautiful keep at guesthouse FE – gisting
We stayed on this home – the highest 3 home windows have been ours
We stayed at a guesthouse known as “FE gisting”. I selected this location from Reserving because it was one of many most cost-effective choices (aside from the hostels) and I noticed that it was in location of Akureyri, subsequent to the Akureyri swimming pool.
The guesthouse is positioned at Þingvallastræti 2, on the nook of Þingvallastræti and Oddeyrargata streets, however within the latter one, you can find the Fairytale backyard of the people artist Hreinn.
The Fairytale backyard of Hreinn within the snow
On the night that we arrived, I walked down Oddeyrargata avenue with my cameras to see if there have been any fairytale figures within the wintertime in Hreinn’s backyard. I had by no means seen them within the snow earlier than.
There have been a few figures nonetheless outdoors, however most of them are put into storage within the wintertime. Within the wintertime, Hreinn mends them and provides a few of them new costumes. Do not miss visiting this lovely privately owned backyard once you go to Akureyri.
I’ve written one other travel-blog concerning the Fairytale backyard: Wonderfully colourful Fairytale Figures in Akureyri with loads of images of the colorful figures.
The reception on the guesthouse
Þingvallastræti 2, the place we stayed, is a sublime home and I felt instantly at dwelling after we entered it. This home has spirit – “Það er góður andi í húsinu“, as we are saying in Icelandic.
It’s superbly furnished, outdated model which I like very a lot, and you’ll discover a portray by our famous painter, Gunnlaugur Blöndal (1893-1962), hanging on the wall by the flight of stairs.
His nude portraits have been amongst his best-known artworks, and a novelty in Iceland again then. Some thought they have been scandalous, however they have been very a lot sought-after.
Our room on the guesthouse
The proprietor of the home, Gísli Gunnlaugsson, gracefully greeted us on the reception. He has lived on this home since 1990+.
I used to be questioning what this identify FE – gisting meant and noticed that beneath the FE-sign there was an virtually illegible longer identify, Framtíðareign – Future property (dwelling). I later discovered that it was the identify of the previous actual property company that Gísli ran from Þingvallastræti 2.
Gísli took us up a flight of stairs and confirmed us our room, which was shiny and delightful with French home windows and a beautiful view.
Our shiny and delightful room on the guesthouse
The view from the home windows was to the east and south. Akureyri is constructed on a slope and the so-called Gilið – the Gorge, the place the home is positioned takes you up a steep hill, so we have been excessive up and had a fairly superb view.
To the east we had a view of Akureyri city and the ocean and proper in entrance of our window was the Freemasons Home of Akureyri, a gorgeous constructing that was lit up at evening.
And, the view to the south was of the pond by the swimming pool (which was 2 minutes away), the elementary faculty, and the landmark and image of Akureyri – the majestic Akureyri church.
This beautiful view greeted me within the mornings
I used to be mesmerized by this view and through our 5-day keep if I used to be not serving to out on the seminar or strolling for hours on finish taking images of snowy Akureyri, I sat in awe by the window 🙂
My husband needed to shut the curtains, however I protested as who needs to close out this lovely view? We made a compromise that I might have one of many east home windows open.
This view greeted me at evening – Frímúrarahúsið – the attractive Freemason’s Home
I felt so good on this beautiful room that I needed to search out out extra about who had lived on this home.
The home on Þingvallastræti 2 was inbuilt 1929 by Jakob Frímannsson (1899-1995), the cooperative society supervisor of KEA – the cooperative of Eyjafjörður, Akureyri from 1940-1971. Jakob lived right here together with his spouse Borghildur Jónsdóttir for half a century.
Jakob was a city councilor of Akureyri for 28 years and sat on the board of administrators of a number of huge firms. He was given the grand knight’s cross award of the Order of the Falcon (Fálkaorðan) and extra honorary awards.
In 1974 Jakob was chosen to be the Honorary Citizen of Akureyri.
I used to be not spying on them, simply admiring this lovely home from my window
Jakob was additionally the instigator of constructing the Freemason’s home. He, on behalf of the Freemasons, wrote to the Constructing committee of Akureyri to get the plot subsequent to his home for the Freemason’s Home.
And, this lovely home was inbuilt 1946 with additions made in 1981.
I like this constructing model and the symmetry. I might stare at it for the longest time, fascinated about the Knights Templar and the Temple of Solomon.
The Freemason’s home from the opposite aspect
My father’s cousin, who lives in Akureyri, advised me when she noticed my images on Fb, that in 1942, Jakob had been the perfect man on the marriage ceremony of my great-aunt, Ragnheiður, who lived in Akureyri after transferring there from Húsavík village.
The marriage passed off in Húsavík on the sixty fifth birthday of my great-grandfather Bjarni Benediktsson at Bjarnahús and it was a double marriage ceremony as Ragnheiður’s sister, Bryndís, additionally received married on this identical day.
Ragnheiður Bjarnadóttir (within the center) along with her sister Regína (to her left) and my grandmother Kristín (to the appropriate)
I like this connection, that the primary proprietor of Þingvallastræti 2 had attended this double marriage ceremony of my household, and was glad that I had chosen this lodging 🙂
I’ve written one other travel-blog about Húsavík: Húsavík the Whale Watching Capital of Iceland and the Story of my Ancestors.
A lone cat on its spherical within the snow
Once we have been little we’d all the time stick with my great-aunt Ragnheiður and her husband Arthur after we visited Akureyri.
After she handed away I’ve stayed in varied lodging in Akureyri as I like visiting this city.
I’ve camped in a small tent on a campsite subsequent to a grocery store, stayed in a hostel, in a haunted guesthouse, and at completely different inns right here in Akureyri by way of the years.
I nonetheless have many family members in Akureyri, however none of them is that shut that I can stick with them.
My cousin and extra family members as soon as lived on this lovely home known as Sigtryggshús
Then our greatest good friend moved to Akureyri and all the time had a spare room for us, so we did not have to consider discovering a spot to remain anymore. Now he handed away, so I’ve to search for lodging once more.
I’m glad that I discovered FE-gisting and I’ll for positive keep right here once more when travelling up north. And I’ll ask for a similar room.
It’s costlier to remain right here within the summertime although, I observed.
The Akureyri Faculty regarded magical within the snow
Throughout these 5 days, I walked round Akureyri and could not consider how lovely it was within the snow, and the way fortunate I used to be to have visited it in such beautiful winter climate.
I’ve all the time liked Akureyri and its charming outdated homes, and through this winter go to, I noticed the city in a totally completely different mild.
Akureyri is famend for its outdated and well-maintained homes within the oldest a part of city, so it’s a delight to go to this a part of Iceland.
Icicles on Akureyri’s oldest home, Laxdalshús inbuilt 1795
Whereas in search of good photograph alternatives I observed the melting icicles on lots of the outdated homes.
Icicles can type on the homes within the wintertime, so watch out if you find yourself strolling round Akureyri on a winter day, and do not stroll subsequent to the homes, keep nearer to the road. The identical goes for my hometown, Reykjavík.
The icicles are lovely however could be deadly in the event that they fall in your head.
Lystigarður Akureyrar – the Akureyri Botanical backyard
I visited one of many essential points of interest of Akureyri, Lystigarður Akureyrar – the Akureyri Botanical backyard and I used to be alone roaming round on this lovely backyard.
It was magical strolling amongst the numerous snow-covered timber on this backyard that’s stuffed with folks within the summertime.
Lystigarður Akureyrar was based by a bunch of housewives again in 1912. They ran it till 1953, when Akureyri city took over and a Botanical backyard was added in 1957.
You possibly can learn up on Lystigarður Akureyrar and see how lovely it’s within the summertime in my travel-blog: Akureyri – the beautiful Capital City of North Iceland.
Nonnahús museum within the snow
I walked so far as Nonnahús museum as I all the time nice the statue of Nonni, one other Honorary Citizen of Akureyri.
Jón Stefán Sveinsson (1857-1944) additionally known as Nonni received the chance as a baby to review overseas and have become a Jesuit priest, Pater Jón Sveinsson.
He solely visited his beloved Iceland on two events after he had moved overseas and his physique is buried in Melatenfriedhof cemetery in Cologne, Germany.
Nonni wrote 12 kids’s books about his life in Eyjafjörður fjord which were translated into approx. 40 languages.
Nonnahús, which was inbuilt 1849-1850 is his childhood dwelling and is now a museum.
Jón Sveinsson – Nonni
This was the primary time that I had seen Nonni within the snow. I all the time have my photograph taken with him, however this time round I used to be alone, so we took a selfie 😉
Sadly, the museums have been closed after I visited, however the entire of Akureyri regarded like a museum, and I felt as if I have been inside a postcard, so I used to be pleased with simply being outdoors and taking images.
Minjasafnskirkjan – the Museum church is part of the Akureyri museums
You should buy a go for five of the Akureyri Museums together with Laufás turfhouse museum on the opposite aspect of Eyjafjörður fjord. I’ve visited all however 1 of them.
I’ve written one other travel-blog about our beloved Nonni: Nonnahús and Nonni – the Honorary Citizen of Akureyri the Capital City.
The Christmas Home within the snow
On this present day, after my husband had completed working, we drove for 10 km to one of many compulsory stops in Eyjafjörður – Jólahúsið – the Christmas Home, which is open all 12 months spherical.
You possibly can see in my travel-blog what I needed to purchase on the Christmas Home: the Christmas House – Jólahúsið is open All Year Round 🙂
The Akureyri Marina – Smábátahöfnin á Akureyri
The Akureyri Marina and eider geese within the left nook
Two minutes away from the place the place my husband was instructing his class is Smábátahöfnin á Akureyri – the Akureyri Marina in Sandgerðisbót within the a part of Akureyri known as Þorpið – the Village.
I had by no means visited the marina earlier than as it’s in part of Akureyri the place I by no means go.
Eider geese
The climate was nonetheless, and it was frost and sunny, simply the proper climate situations.
There have been lovely reflections within the sea and a few eider geese have been peacefully floating on the calm sea.
I took a video of the marina and posted it on YouTube so you’ll be able to see how peaceable and wonderful this second was.
The Akureyri Marina – ice floating on the ocean
The marina was so serene that I spent a very long time taking images but additionally taking in the fantastic thing about this place.
And I assumed to myself: “That is life“
The journey again to Reykjavík
The middle of Akureyri city
After 5 fantastic days, we left Akureyri and hoped that the heaths can be satisfactory.
Akureyri is 388 km away from Reykjavík, the place we stay and it often takes us some 5 hours to drive again on condition that the street situations are okay and that we solely cease in a single place on our means again.
We often cease in lots of locations, however this time round we simply needed to get again rapidly and safely.
The drive takes you for 25 km by way of the attractive Hörgárdalur and Öxnadalur valleys.
Mt. Hraundrangi
Though it feels like an extended drive then the surroundings within the Hörgárdalur and Öxnadalur valleys is so lovely that you’ll not really feel just like the drive is that this lengthy.
I greeted my favorite mountain in Iceland, Mt. Hraundrangi, and took the one snowy images that I’ve of this majestic mountain.
I all the time cease and greet it after I journey up north. It’s a majestic mountain and I’ve seen folks stopping in the course of the street to admire it and take images.
Lovely Hraundrangi
There are some locations the place you’ll be able to cease, so let’s by no means cease in the course of the street.
There was fog on the very best peaks however, fortuitously, it lifted simply in time and the blue sky and a ray of sunshine appeared 🙂
I’ve written one other travel-blog about Hraundrangi: Hraundrangi in Öxnadalur and Hörgárdalur Valleys in North Iceland – my favourite Mountain.
Gil gorge regarded lovely within the snow
After driving by way of the valley, we ascended on the Öxnadalsheiði heath.
Vegagerðin – the Road Administration closes the Öxnadalsheiði heath in dangerous climate, as the very best level is approx. 540 meters.
At all times lookup their web site for details about street situations and the web site of Safetravel to see the situations of the roads. The crimson color signifies that the roads are impassable and have been closed.
On the highest level of Öxnadalsheiði heath – the fog was, fortuitously, lifting
It was comparatively clear after we handed Öxnadalsheiði heath, solely a bit foggy on the highest level, however I’d not wish to be caught on this heath in a blizzard as there’s a good distance down into the steep canyon.
The outdated street was larger up and you’ll nonetheless see elements of it. My mom advised me that when she was younger and driving along with her dad and mom, then her father advised her and her brother to be lifeless nonetheless on this a part of the outdated street.
Descending Öxnadalsheiði heath
The gravel roads within the olden instances have been rather more harmful than as we speak, and it took a very long time to drive to Akureyri from Reykjavík.
Now it solely takes some 5 hours if you happen to do not make many stops on the best way. And we, Icelanders, are sometimes simply driving from one place to a different, so we are usually extra in a rush to achieve the vacation spot, than our fellow international company on the street.
However, seeing that I’m a travel-writer, then my husband and I take our time within the summertime and go to the valleys and off-the-beaten-track places. However not this round.
Skagafjörður within the wintertime
I used to be glad after we began descending Öxnadalsheiði heath and from there on (till Holtavörðuheiði heath) the climate was lovely.
I’ve written one other travel-blog: An interesting Hike into the craggy Kotagil Canyon which is a gorgeous gorge with a waterfall on the finish of the gorge.
The gorge is in Norðurárdalur valley, the valley you drive by way of after you descend Öxnadalsheiði heath.
Bólugil gorge within the snow – shot from a transferring automobile
Now we drove into the historic Skagafjörður, which regarded beautiful within the snow.
The photograph above is of Bólugil gorge, however I just lately wrote a travel-blog concerning the well-known Icelandic folklore about Bóla and Skeljungur.
They have been 2 farm employees on the farm Silfrastaðir – and their destiny was terrible: The Ghost Skeljungur and Bóla in Bólugil – Folklore from North Iceland.
Víðimýrarkirkja turf church in Skagafjörður
We drove by way of Skagafjörður, about which I’ve written a number of travel-blogs, f.ex. the Horrific Viking Battles in Skagafjörður, and solely stopped by Víðimýrarkirkja turf church, as I needed to see what it regarded like within the snow and sunshine.
Víðimýrarkirkja turf church is among the most lovely architectural treasures of Iceland. There are only a few turf church buildings left in Iceland, solely 5 unique and 1 reconstructed turf church.
Víðimýrarkirkja turf church
Right here you’ll be able to see what they appear like: A List of the beautiful Icelandic Turf Houses that I have visited on my Travels in Iceland.
These beautiful turf church buildings want fixed maintenance and are very delicate, so that they must be preserved one of the best ways we all know how.
I’ve written one other travel-blog about this lovely church: Víðimýrarkirkja Turf Church in North Iceland – is it the most beautiful of them all?
Descending Vatnsskarð mountain go
We now continued on our journey south and ascended the Vatnsskarð mountain go, which was okay, snow on the street and icy on elements of the street although.
We drove the lengthy Langidalur street and handed Blönduós village as we have been in a rush, however we often make a cease right here.
The roads have been away from snow and ice however drive slowly as there’s all the time a hazard of black ice.
Langidalur valley
The remainder of the journey was uneventful till we reached Staðarskáli.
We deliberate on stopping at Staðarskáli for half an hour or in order my husband needed to do some work on his laptop computer.
Surprisingly sufficient, I fell asleep whereas I used to be sitting subsequent to him ready for him. So he stayed for a bit longer.
The roads have been away from snow and ice – Blönduós village across the nook
Once we left Staðarskáli and needed to enterprise on the Holtavörðuheiði heath we met a automobile from the Street Administration of Iceland, and discovered that the heath had simply been closed attributable to dangerous climate!
If I hadn’t fallen asleep contained in the restaurant we might have been caught on Holtavörðuheiði heath!
We will all the time count on blizzards within the wintertime and this is among the explanation why I’m not desirous to journey round Iceland within the wintertime.
Driving into the unknown on Laxárdalsheiði heath
We have been directed by way of Laxárdalsheiði heath and Brattabrekka, the place the climate was prone to be much less dangerous.
We have been in luck that this route was not impassable as nicely, as typically occurs and travellers get caught in Staðarskáli.
Once we ascended the Laxárdalsheiði heath we noticed the black blizzard within the distance and hoped that we’d not must drive by way of it.
We had simply entered the Laxárdalsheiði heath when the visibility received worse and we noticed that some folks have been in bother. One automobile had not seen a curve within the street and pushed straight off the street and was caught within the snow.
Driving on a transparent street in Dalasýsla after passing Laxadalsheiði heath
An Icelandic couple on a jeep was making an attempt to tug them up on the street once more however in useless. Then one other jeep stopped so we went on our means.
Solely part of the Laxárdalsheiði heath was dangerous, however we have been quickly out of hazard and hoped that Brattabrekka would nonetheless be satisfactory.
Once we drove by way of Dalasýsla we questioned why part of the street was not paved and discovered on the information the next day that there had been so many potholes within the street that the tarmac had been eliminated because it was higher to drive on a mud street than driving into the potholes.
There was poor visibility on the highest level of Brattabrekka
We now ascended Brattabrekka – Steep Slope and hoped for the perfect. It was saved open by the Street Administration of Iceland and a snow plow was going forwards and backwards clearing the street.
Solely on the highest level at approx. 402 meters, there was hastily no visibility, however we have been capable of observe the marker posts.
Brattabrekka slope is talked about in the Saga of Grettir the Strong chapter 67 when Grettir robbed passers-by in Brattabrekka.
Descending Brattabrekka slope
Rapidly we discovered that we have been descending and because the snow lifted the attractive Borgarfjörður opened up. We have been relieved as from this level driving to Reykjavík would almost definitely be a breeze.
There have been nonetheless warnings of gusts of wind beneath Mt. Hafnarfjall, the place it typically will get very windy. However it’s so typically windy on this spot that it did not really feel out of the extraordinary.
It will have although if we had been driving an RV, but it surely occurs on occasion that they’re blown off the street right here and under Mt. Esja in Kjalarnes the place it will possibly additionally get very windy. At all times hearken to the climate report when driving an RV.
Mt. Hafnarfjall – photograph taken by way of the windscreen
This winter journey of ours was for positive memorable and I’m glad that I made a decision to accompany my husband on his third winter journey this 12 months up north to show hypnosis.
Simply understand that in wintertime, we get blizzards so observe the climate report and by no means go a street signal saying that the street is impassable, it’s put there for a purpose.
Now we have seen folks passing the impassable indicators solely to have needed to be rescued by our rescue group. And that’s expensive.
I will go away you with a photograph of snowy Mt. Hlíðarfjall in Akureyri
Additionally observe that the highland roads are closed within the wintertime.
When planning your Iceland journey bear in mind that the shortest winter days solely final for approx. 4 hours. You possibly can test what number of hours of daylight there are in every month here.
Have a beautiful time in Iceland 🙂
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