Iceland Cruise July 8th 2017 - Isafjordur Page

This was not such a good day. Our trip was at 12:30, so Ken went out into the town in fairly gloomy conditions to explore. At least, it did not rain on us. By following the road sign to the 'city centre' (!), he walked past it to the West end of the town/village & made his way back through it by walking all the cross streets in succession. Even so, this only amounted to three miles. There were three churches, which seemed excessive, as we have been told attendance has been dropping off.

The amusing thing in the nugatory town centre was the old bakery's Old Bakery van. This is a rather bleak spot.

However, after a very early lunch, we had a trip to Vigor Island, which involved a boat trip, 25 of us just about fitting into it. Somewhat choppy in the fjord, this was nothing to what hit us out at sea, although the driver was very nonchalant about it, which was encouraging.

It was blowing a gale & the first thing our native guide made us do was walk above the town past the ancient windmill to see the seals, after we had seen many puffins & guillemots. This stroll against the wind resulted in multiple attacks by Arctic Terns, who assumed we were out to steal their chicks. (We had this problem at Ny Alesund, once).

Thankfully, we went around to the village coffee shop for drinks & cake, where we warmed up.

There was a house we visited while its inhabitants were away. Only two people stay all year round but their family, who own the island, come out in the Summer (whatever that means round here).

We went to the Eiderdown Plant, were they clean up the feathers for export. It was explained to us just how the farmers collect the eiderdown, taking a little from the nests until the birds go away for the Summer. Apparently, they mate for quite a long life but the males go off to their club after getting the females in the club but come back when they return to their old, now plundered, nests.

Then, an even rougher trip back to Isafjordur.