Yesterday we spent driving up the east coast of Iceland. This is the oldest part, geologically, and it truly was a feast for the eyes. There are a few farms here and there along with some very small villages, but because the bulk of Icelanders live around the capital and no-one lives inland, most of the country-side is very sparsely populated.
The raw and naked mountain peaks and ridges are all photogenic. Cameras clicked whenever possible at a furious rate!
Waterfalls cascade wherever there are low spots; white water is an abundant commodity on this island. There are fish in almost all streams. How I wanted to toss in a fly somewhere!
The drive along the coast revealed barren mountainsides that look like they just slide right down into the sea whenever there is a little tremor of the earth. We did see lots of water birds swimming---land animals? No. Iceland only has fox, mice, rats and reindeer.
More rugged coastline with absolutely no vegetation.
In the areas where there is a bit of topsoil there are small farms. I'll never again feel that Silverton is remote!
We have people from England (8), Hong Kong (2), Tasmania (2), Australia (4), Canada (2) and the US (9). It is a good group---people are on time, cheerful, and willing to participate in all the walking tours, meals, etc. Lots of laughter...
Tune in for the next posting which will include puffins, icebergs, and other tales from the north!
We are staying at the Bunratty Hotel, a lovely old country hotel in a tiny village. At the bottom of the hotel grounds we found Bunratty Castle, which was built for the "last" time in 1425, having been sacked numerous times prior to that.
It was a defensive castle so has tiny slits or very narrow windows and the crenalations at the top are large enough for a man with a bow to hide behind. (not sure about that crenal...word---the stone trimmings on the roof!)
Joyce (a new friend from ND who came with my long-time friends) and I opted to not take a nap after being up all night on a rough flight. Instead we climbed the six stories of tiny little uneven wedge-shaped circular stone steps to get to the top of the castle.
This was the view over the River Shannon to the fields beyond...Ireland is just as green as the reputation would have you believe! Tonight we are going to a medieval banquet in the great hall of the castle, complete with serving wenches and mead. More on that in the next blog.
Meanwhile, i am enjoying the lovely hydrangeas and roses in the gardens of the hotel! Now I am off to the hotel's pub for the first Guiness of the trip---I shall toast you all!
