Land of Ice and Fire

23 januari, 201624 januari, 2016 / Leya / 39 kommentarer

On leaving Vik, the landscape slowly turned into even darker earth colours. A last glimpse of the church half way up in the mountains.

Just around the mountain ridge, the landscape opened up to the sea again.

A glacier river graced the crossroads. Mýrdalsjökull in low light.

Arriving at Seljalandsfoss, Vestmannaeyar just sat in my lens…again.

The sun setting over the faraway islands, almost made me forget the Bride’s veil, Seljalandsfoss, waiting for us on the mountain.

Fire on the left hand side – and ice on the other..

I do not understand how someone could have managed to get behind the falls this day – the icy path made us stay away from trying…But, as you can see, someone did.

I wonder what sort of shoes you must wear to manage this! Where is the path? This is the rail to the steps…

Windows capturing the last of the setting sun over Vestmannaeyar.

We slowly returned to Reykjavik, silent and very satisfied with this glorious day.

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Cee’s Black &White Photo Challenge: Anything that Starts With the Letter S

23 januari, 201623 januari, 2016 / Leya / 5 kommentarer

Silhouettes, Icelandic sun and sky – for Cee and the letter S.

WPC: Optimistic

22 januari, 201622 januari, 2016 / Leya / 27 kommentarer

Spring!

New Life!

Need more optimistic thoughts? Click here.

CFFC: Blue or Purple Flowers

20 januari, 2016 / Leya / 23 kommentarer

Who does not love blue or purple flowers? Join in with Cee’s challenge this week!

Click here for more beauties.

SL-WEEK 29: Snow

19 januari, 2016 / Leya / 25 kommentarer

The challenge this week at Sylvain Landry, is Snow. Just returned from Iceland, naturally my entry will be some sturdy, Icelandic horses. 15 degrees below zero – they stand close together against the strong wind, awaiting the night fall.

Heading for South Iceland

17 januari, 201617 januari, 2016 / Leya / 59 kommentarer

As we only had a few days in Iceland, we wanted to show our friends a piece of Route No 1. Luckily we were blessed with a sunny day, even though the sun this time of the year only is up between 11 a.m and 4 p.m.

We started off around 10 a.m to be on the road for the sunrise.

And soon, the sky turned yellow and orange, revealing the hot springs steaming.

On our right side, the sun was awakening, and I waited for the first rays to hit the mountains on our left side. A creamy lilac across the snowy white.

Soon Hekla, the most famous volcano – and one of the most active ones (last eruption 2000) – crowned the wheaten landscape in all her glory. The farms still there below her snowcapped face.

Faraway at sea – a glimpse of Västmannaeyar with Heimey. We wanted to go there with our friends, but unfortunately the ferries took a longer route this time of the year. And I can still, vividly, remember how heavy the sea was last time we went. And, how sick I got from it…

These islands are otherwise well worth visiting. Maybe best in summer though. Puffins and other birds nesting, and you can still see the lava stream from the latest eruption burying houses and almost the harbour as well.

Along the south coast, the road is straight and easy to drive. The beautiful low, golden light followed us throughout the journey.

For today, we finish at Eyafjallajökull. Further along the road we will visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss – and of course Vik, with its black beach and roaring waves.

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Thursday Thoughts

14 januari, 201614 januari, 2016 / Leya / 32 kommentarer

I’m back home again…from another journey to another country; meeting its nature, architechture and people. I feel I grow with every meeting and every opportunity I get to learn something new. On thinking back, all my life has been dedicated to learning – and sometimes teaching…

Travelling offers a great way to understand other people and other cultures, that we all know. But, do you often reflect on the ”getting to know yourself” more? Do you prepare your journey thoroughly and do you write down what you see, who you meet and what you learn from them? Maybe you are like me: Always preparing everything, sometimes in detail, and then you do not always keep a diary when reality comes along? Does the new knowledge just stay there without you documenting it?

We are all travellers, and we all travel in our own way. I used to be a writer, now I have become more of a memory photographer. Maybe a futile search for the precious moments to stay…a bit longer.

The abilty to reflect and learn is a great gift.

In fact, it is essential.

Thursday Thoughts

7 januari, 20167 januari, 2016 / Leya / 43 kommentarer

Leaving for Iceland for some days – only near Reykjavik this time. We will be spending some bathing time with friends. I just realized it is 10 years since our last visit. Hopefully this will mean some good times.

Wish you all a great weekend!