Reykjavík Grapevine - 02.06.2017, Page 59

Island Life
News From The Countryside: West Iceland Edition
Words: Paul Fontaine
Things To Do Outside Reykjavík
Changes in Icelandic nature have been worrying scientists, but it has its
upsides. As the temperature gets higher, the population of Arctic char
drops, but the tillage scenery is in bloom. Icelandic vegetation
has increased 80% over the last 30 years, and one can
see birch tree growth expanding rapidly in the
south, west and northwest of the island.
59The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 09 — 2017
Town:
Seyðisfjörður
If you’re doing a loop of the Ring
Road, it would be easy to miss
Seyðisfjörður—a small seaside
town that lies over a mountain
pass from Egilsstaðir. There’s a lot
to see there, from the eggshell blue
church to the Tvísöngur sound
sculpture, the picturesque Water-
fall Lane hike, and the Skaftfell art
museum, where you can also try a
memorable reindeer and blue cheese
pizza in the basement restaurant. JR
Restaurant:
Fríðheimar
This family-owned restaurant
is situated in the airy atrium of
a large tomato greenhouse that’s
conveniently close to the Golden
Circle route. Bees buzz around pol-
linating the vines, and when the
tomatoes are ripe, they’re picked
and turned into delicious tomato
soup (with free refills), pizza pas-
sata, and bloody Marys. You can
also pick up some Friðheimar
products from the shop on your
way out, and find their tomatoes
in stores all around Iceland. JR
Activity:
Langjökull Ice Tunnel
The Langjökull Ice Tunnel is the
perfect jaunt if you’re traveling
with kids, and particularly those
that are partial to a certain song
called “Let It Go.” While adults
will be amazed to find them-
selves standing atop of the vast
Langjökull glacier, the tykes could
easily amuse themselves for hours
moseying around the ice tunnel,
which is complete with multiple
chambers and a chapel. For extra
oomph, arrive via helicopter. HJC
Photo: Axel SigPhoto: Timothée LambrecqPhoto: John Rogers
It doesn’t matter if you’re black or
white, swan or goose… At least not in
Mýrdalur, Southeast Iceland. A resident
posted a Facebook update the other
week, telling the heartwarming story of a
pair of swans adopting a pack of goslings,
that they are now raising alongside two
cygnets like one big happy family.
A boat factory burnt down
in Akureyri on early Wednesday
morning. Firefighters rushed to the
scene, but it soon became clear that go-
ing inside the building to save valuables was
out of the question, as flammable materials posed
serious risks to the safety of firemen. After efforts to
protect houses and cars nearby, the firefighters were still
working on attenuating the flames seven hours later, but the
factory had already turned to ashes. The company is now
facing a loss of around ten million krónur.
A farmer in northeast Ice-
land reportedly cancelled his
subscription to Vogue magazine
– the Italian edition. He'd been less than
pleased with the reception his sartorial styling
suggestions were getting from his neighbours in
the valley. According to sources,
he's optimistic that his new
subscription to Psychology
Today will be more
rewarding.
I C E L A N D I C R E S T A U R A N T & B A R
Tasty tapas and dr inks by the o ld harbour
T a b l e r e s e r v a t i o n s : + 3 5 4 5 1 7 1 8 0 0 - w w w . f o r r e t t a b a r i n n . i s
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