Thurday, Friday. August 18, 19.
While leaving the Faeroer and entering the night, the light dims and the visibility decreases. With low cloud ceiling, we sail in a tunnel of blue-grey light with no visible horizon.
Sky and sea are one. Bas en Edzard take the first watch. To the end of the night they see the only ship, en route to Norway, in a beam of light on the horizon. The clouds open up for a moment and a full moon shows itself in the early blue light. But not for long and the rising sun is covered by clouds. At midday a splendid blue sky, painted by white aircraft contrails. The seagulls, now far from land, are playing tag with the boat. Now alone, and halfway towards Iceland.
Late afternoon and suddenly the mountains of Iceland are looming up. Majestically they rise from the sea, an impressive sight. Besides land, also man shows himself. Sailing slowly a fish trawler crosses our path towards Hornafjordur, the lagoon with the fishing town of Höfn, our destination for today. The low sun shines dead ahead and makes looking ahead difficult. Edzard gives full speed ahead. Bas and I take the opportunity to make some spectacular shots.
With the strong sunlight in our eyes it’s not easy to find the marked entry of the lagoon.
In addition there is a 6 kts strong current, caused by the falling tide. Thanks to the navigational assistance of Peter, it all works out very smoothly and we approach the harbour. A penetrating fish odour welcomes us and before darkness settles in we moor the boat. It’s 0900 pm local time.
It’s a small harbour with many local fishing boats. A German sailing yacht lies opposite us. The owner tells us he is on his way to the Faeroer. Then the harbour master shows up, curious of our destination and ship.
Docking fees are free! We have a pint in the “ Pakkidhus”, the restaurant/pub in the harbour. Besides a lot of tourists an Icelandic group has a boisterous celebration of a birthday, at the same time requesting us to be quiet when they are singing, LOL!
Next day starts gloriously, a full sun! After our daily routine of groceries and breakfast we walk toward the lagoon. Standing on a rock at the low tide we have a spectacular view over the salt marches landscapes. In the background the large mountains covered in ice from Europe’s largest glacier, the Vatnajokull. To be here for some time, in a motionless state, you find eternal rest. An impressive start of our Icelandic visit.
Later that day the Police visits us. They also act as Custom Officers. We have to fill in several forms. Iceland is a EU country but obviously not in the Schengen treaty.
With sunset, after the usual pub pint, we have dinner on board.
It’s an early night, tomorrow we have 200 nm to sail to Reykjavik.
Beautiful writing and inspirational. Please publish more photos and maybe a few videos. I will direct traffic to the blog as you approach.
Oh, wat ben ik jaloers 😉 Wat een prachtige reis!