July 25 Flateyri to Holmavik

We woke to this rather idyllic tranquil vista. We were a little tempted to go rambling but we had a long drive ahead of us that day to reach Holmavik. So we loaded the car, headed back through that amazing tunnel complex and pointed our wheels south.

The tunnel branched to the left towards Sudureyri

Westfjords is that multi-fingered projection in the most north-western corner of Iceland. Holmavik towards the bottom right corner.

This was our last day in Westfjords and we felt we had not had nearly enough time to explore its many beauties - but the rest of Iceland awaited so off we drove winding our way around countless fjords towards Holmavik. On our way south, we paused for a while at Sudavik to see the Arctic Fox centre and seals. This little village, like many places in Westfjords, lives with the annual threat of avalanche. Unfortunately it has been inundated a number of times: December 1994 a snow slide, then the following month on January 16 there were two - morning and evening one was 400m wide. Many houses were wiped out.

Fish-drying structure - we saw many on our travels

The Arctic Fox Centre was very interesting - a museum full of history and one little sleepy fox curled up outside. The Arctic Fox is also referred to as Polar or Mountain fox and they are believed to have lived in Iceland since the end of the last Ice Age; in Iceland they are called tofa.  

Further along the coast we found a colony of seals flopped down on seaweed-cushioned  rocks with a backdrop of mirrorlike water - idyllic setting.  From there it was a long winding drive around many fjords towards Holmavik.  On the way we took a short detour out onto the Homstrandir Peninsula. The Peninsula which is topped with a large glacier, is very remote and protected. Along that short detour I spotted a plant as tall as me with massive stems and leaves; it looked like sorrel or dock to me. A quick message to one of my FB plant group and the answer came back Rumex alpinus, common name is Monk's or Mountain Rhubarb also known Alpine Dock. All along our travels to date I had been excited by the lush vegetation and pretty flowers I saw - there was more to come!  

Rumex alpinus AKA Monk's or Mountain rhubarb. It was >1.5m tall

Again our hotel wasn’t open till 4pm as opposed to 2pm as per our itinerary - we were half hour or so early but weren't allowed to check in which seemed strange to us. It was a quaint little place however so we managed to fill that intervening time. 

Everywhere in Iceland we came across rainbows on buildings and pavements.
These rainbow steps led up to a church. 

We were on the second floor of our guest house  - again! and again and there was no lift so we left half of our luggage in the car (note to self: try to pack less!). Once we had struggled up the narrow staircase with our case and bags however we were rewarded with a cozy room with a view. It was wine-o'clock so we poured a glass and sat back to enjoy it.