The Rooftops of Reykjavik

Today Reykjavik showed us a new face. To be honest, we were quite underwhelmed by the city. The area around our digs is drab, gray, stucco flats and not well cared for.
Today, we walked off toward the waters of Videyjarsund, just to the north of our apartment. We passed through a beautiful city park with the Reykjavik Art Museum done in a style that Sheelagh has named Brutalistic. Again gray, concrete and grimy. Two or three blocks later we emerged on the waterfront and it was as if someone had waved a magic wand. There was colour, and very imaginative styles of building and obvious planning for a pleasant way of living.
To our right we passed a round about with a clever piece of sculpture with purple vanes made of steel.

                                     

Below that and beside the water stood the Hofdi House where Reagan and Gorbatsjov signed an agreement in 1986 that began the end of the cold war. The house was built in1909 for the French consul.

Looking at this picture, we walked past it and to the left along the water where the city has created the most wonderful biking and walking trail that runs all the way to the Harpa Concert Halls.

This fabulous building is made from three dimensional glass panels. It reflects iridescent light in all directions.

     Inside, a series of ramped stairways lead from floor to floor. Looking up you can see yourselves reflected from the ceiling. On the top floor there is a wonderful view of the harbour and the ships of many nations. It was amazing to see an historic record of the ships that have sunk around Iceland right up to the 1990's.

Leaving the port side, we wandered through the old city, stopping to have our lunch in a little square surrounded by some of the oldest structures in Iceland.  We wandered past beautiful old houses, many of which had been covered with brightly coloured corrugated steel panels. These are a particular favourite of my wife. She was in awe.

By 2 pm we had reached the Hallgrimskirkja. This almost 100 year old church dominates the skyline of the city. It is the only church that holds English services of a Sunday, and by this time we were happy to sit and enjoy a very Church of England style service.

  The hymns were familiar and it was very gracefully done.


















After the service we went to the top of the tower and enjoyed the views over the city.


From this great height, the city of Reykjavik is anything but gray and boring. The rooftops are a delightful tapestry of bright colours.

We walked home picking up a traditional Icelandic fish supper which we enjoyed in-spite of our aching legs.

We did this while our good buddies the Kemisters were flying up to experience Grimsey Island. John has now, officially walked in both the Arctic and the Antarctic. We heard that he is considering dragging his bed out and over the Arctic circle and sleeping there this night.

Some polar bears were seen tucking their napkins around their necks and opening a nice bottle of red wine.

Sigborg and Gumi Do Iceland

Neither of our names are on the official lists of Icelandic given names. So, for this week, we have chosen to be called Sigborg and Gumi. John and Von's names are on the official lists so they don't get to choose. Everything went well on the flight. I, Sigborg, had to help the pilot several times when we ran into turbulence. Together, we made it. They have an interesting custom of all passengers going through security on arrival - it was off with the boots and belts once again.  We're in a very nice apartment. One picture shows John and Gumi outside it. Our place is the top floor. After breakfast and a sleep, we went out into the sunshine to explore our neighbourhood.

None of us had much get up and go. We'll be crashing early tonight and set our sights on downtown, tomorrow.

Eight Feet To Iceland

Three Years and we still have all our feet! Eight of them in total. And those feet are on their way to Iceland, today. Yes, the adventure has begun. None of us have slept very well in the last 24 hours. So hopefully we'll be able to

sleep on the plane that is leaving in about 1 1/2 hours. 

We've endured the humiliating process of holding our shoes while we hold up our trousers and opening our computer while we show our boarding pass and keep pushing the plastic tray through the scanner. I'm always perspiring at the end. I'm not sure if it is because I'm wearing too many clothes or I'm feeling guilty. Anyway, we're through and waiting again to board the plane. Till Reykjavik.

Just Waiting

Waiting is hard. We've had a lot to do over the last few weeks. One of the biggest jobs was making lists of things to do. And keys! There are rings of keys everywhere. Keys that are coming with us, keys that are staying home, keys to be given to other people, keys everywhere. My favourite is the key we don't know what it's for but we're afraid to throw it away because we might need it. Like the key we threw away on Saturday that was for the condo mechanical room. Oh well, who needs that.
But we have given back our condo keys, what's left of them.

We officially moved out yesterday and handed the keys back to the owner. We are with Sheelagh's Mum and messing up her place. That Sheelagh just strews things left and right.
But we're waiting..... waiting,,,,, waiting, For those Kemisters to get here. Come on John.

Nervous Time.

Over the years, Shush and I have done several trips. But this time, we have had to do all of the planning. Stop. Let's be honest. Sheelagh had to do all the planning, while we are getting packed up to move. This wonderful place we have had for the last 2 years, overlooking the sea in White Rock, has been put up for sale by the owners. We have decided to put our possessions in storage, AGAIN, and wait to see where we might settle when we get back from this trip.
The quickly approaching trip, paired with the pile of boxes in the living room, paired with the occasional visits of prospective buyers, have made us a little tense. I am a bit too laid back at the best of times. But with all of these other factors in play, Sheelagh is driven past her limits of patience on a fairly regular basis.
I'm sure that we will both survive, and that the Kemisters will arrive and the plane will take us off to Iceland, IN LESS THAN 3 WEEKS!!!!!. But until then Y'all pray for now woncha? It's nervous time.

Hi. Sheelagh and I are about set to hit the road again. In about 3 weeks we will be flying to Ireland stopping off in Iceland for a week as we go.
We are excited about spending these weeks with our long time friends John and Von Kemister. We hope that a few of you will follow along and take a look at some pictures, also see that we are still alive. That would be good too.