Skip to main content

Woops - we have been here before !


And as per the title of this blog so we had. At 12.15 pm on Wednesday  the 22nd the good Orlanda found herself on the same road we had been on 15 days earlier. The circumnavigation of Iceland was complete. 

But let's go back a bit. Last night was in the sleepy hamlet of Borgarfjordur- population several hundred. It was nice. The guesthouse had a big hot sauna tub right on the beach and a barrel sauna as well. It was heaven after a long days ride. 

The town was pretty. The photo below was taken on my "gentlemans walk" at just on midnight. 

 

Then this morning it was a trip to the penguin colony. I still can't believe we ate one of these delightful creatures for an entree about a week ago. 

 

 
 

Then from puffins it was a quick photo stop  in front of what is clearly an advertisement for weed eaters.....

 

Then the realities of the road hit as we go over the steep pass out of the fjord. So yesterday was bad?  Well during the night it rained and they had dumped more mud on the roadworks. Plus there was fog to contend with. The bikes slewed to the left, the bike slewed to the right, the front wheel went to the right, the back wheel went to the left. Then it was swapsy time!  And sometimes the bike actually went where it was supposed to go. However all through this the paint side stayed the right way up as they say in motor biking terms and we got safely over the pass without a spill. This is exactly why we have the BMW GSA type of motorbike that we have! 

 

 

Then back to civilisation tobpark the bike exactly where it was parked 15 days at our first stop when we got off the ferry.

 

Time for a clean I think.  

 

And I did not want a dirty old woman on the back of the bike so it is time for a clean up of the pillion passenger as well. She scrubs up pretty well I have to say and this was a lot cheaper way of doing things than forking out for a spa and a massage!  Must remember to also do this at home! 

 
 

There are standards you know! 

And thus suitably cleaned we went over the pass to the ferry port at Seydisfiodur. It is a high pass so there was plenty of snow on the sides of the road. 

 
 

And some foggy thinking .... 


 

And now we wait for the ferry tomorrow morning   

Words to sum up Iceland as we get ready to sail away. Gentle. Friendly. Hospitable people. Good roads. Not many people. Spectacular scenery. Wild. Ready to erupt again. Hot water. Land of waterfalls. Short trees. Great food. No visible policemen. Lots of fish. Worth visiting - yes! A cool place to visit - both literally and figuratively. And thus, dear reader,  that was Iceland. 

Comments

Dave & Judy said…
Love the photos and comments, Dick. Iceland looks like a remarkable place. I am very impressed with the 'wife' washing technique. I can't get Judy near the hose to wash the car so I doubt I would have much show doing that type of trick. Good travels for the rest of your trip. - Dave

Popular posts from this blog

The last post!

How do you summarise a motorbike trip around the world from Tokyo to Los Angeles?. With difficulty!   Well we are not into record setting. But we believe we are the oldest couple in the world to ride a motorbike “ two up” ie with pillion passenger, right round the world on one season  Let’s start  off with the statistics for the little trip  -                                                                    Total mileage.        34,416 km *                                                        No of days travelling        165                                                      No of countries visited       29                                                     Max temp on bike               41 deg C                                                     Min temp on bike                0 deg.C                                                          No of punctures.              One                                                          No of breakdowns.         One                 

Chapters 1 and 2

WHY MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURES ? I have always been interested in adventure. Over the years I have climbed mountains, parachuted, had my private pilots licence, dived, sailed and done various adventurous pursuits (with various degrees of success I might add!). Motorcycling has been one of the later activities. Why motorcycles?  Firstly it is all a bit easier on the body as one gets a little bit older. This is of course on the assumption that one does not inadvertently part company suddenly with said machine!  Secondly, it does also require a bit of brain power - intellect you might say if that does not sound snobby. There is also, to me, an element of "man and machine" about motorcycling. Then if that is not enough justification in itself there is  the scenery and the absorption into the landscape you are passing through. On a bike you see much much more than in a car, bus or train. You are aware of nuances in the landscape, you smell the smells and you become more than just

And a volcano stopped us!

What a day. First thing this morning it was off to check the rear tyre of the bike. Oh the relief !  The tyre was rock solid and the same pressure as after fixing yesterday.  So it is a pack up and first day on the road today. We get on the way with a just a little bit of nervous excitement.  On to the  Japanese motorway system we go. And what a delight. The traffic is orderly, calm not going to fast and not too thick. We track right in towards Tokyo itself before bearing West. Yes, there were lots of spaghetti junctions - It looks like The Los Angeles motorway system but it is so much easier (and slower). Japanese politeness really shows thru’. However there were lots of toll booths - we had chopped thru  about NZ$50 in the first hour and a half  Then we are on to the slow bit and off the motorways.  It was about a four hour stop and start crawl thru the urban sprawl of greater Tokyo. However I did find time for some serious reflection - I also saw a hotel called - and I kid you not