Day 5 - Iceland

A very clear night out of the bedroom window last night.

Set off with no real plan. As we headed towards a church seen from the road we came across the Shark museum that had eluded us for a couple of days. There was the offer to trying some putrefied shark but I don’t eat fish (yes, it’s a fish and not a mammal) and Jane wasn’t keen either. Also, who wants to have to explain to the car hire people why the car is quite so full of sick.

Then outside to see the shark drying. If you can imagine how it smells, then you’re probably right.

The woman in the shark museum said the church was the oldest in Iceland. Google doesn’t agree. (Google: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/grafarkirkja)

“This church belongs to the Stykkisholmur benefice in the Snaefellsnes- and Dalir Deanery. During the Catholic period, the churches were dedicated to St. Nicolas. The present church was consecrated in 1857.

It is a little, wooden church, the pride possession of the farmer at Bjarnarhofn. It is the home chapel of Bjarnarhofn and has no other parishioners.”

— https://www.nat.is/bjarnarhofn-church/

Talking of churches. After heading back to Stykkishólmur to look for bookmarks and grab a coffee we found the road that lead to Stykkishólmur church. The church had a Steinway grand piano which sounded wonderful, even if my playing didn’t.

“This church belongs to the Stykkisholmur benefice in the Snaefell- and Dalir Deanery. Until 1878 the hamlet belonged to the Helgafell benefice, when a new parish for the people there was established. The old church of the small town has been renovated and still protrudes into the main street. It was built in 1879.

The new church is a concrete architectural adventure with seats for 300 people. It was consecrated in 1980 and has been used as a concert hall as well from the beginning. Its stands rather high and is very prominent from land and sea.”

— https://www.nat.is/Churches/stykkisholmur_church.htm

Down to the harbour and bought a little model of a viking boat for the back room.

Took more photos on the way back. The wind was so strong it was hard to open the car doors (even taking into account my well-renowned upper body strength).

An early night as we’re up at 3am to drive to the airport for the flight to Canada.

Day 4 - Stykkishólmur, Iceland

Woke to a much colder, windier, wetter, blusterer morning. The vague plan was just get in the car and drive in the opposite direction to normal. A crazy, foolhardy plan. But a plan.

The first thing we came across was a graveyard (not church though). Who doesn’t like a graveyard?

Into Stykkishólmur. Car filled up with yet more petrol.

When in Iceland… a Belgian bun. Coffee and the World’s stickiest bun at Nesbrauð Cafe.

In the distance we could see Stykkishólmur church, but try as we might we couldn’t find the road that led up to it. A series of dead ends.

It never takes us long to hit another bit of coast.

If you don’t want to imagine what hundreds of dead starfish in a skip might look like then look away now.

Popped down a side path and found a couple of heads on poles. Perhaps not the most welcoming of sights.

Drove home. Can you see the house? It’s the red one.