28.10.19
We were staying on a horse riding ranch, right?
Although the official horse riding season was over, we asked our host if there was any way we could go for a horsey ride and Stefania was more than happy to oblige.
So as not to inflict those little ponies with undue stress, John and I acted as official photographers while Katie and Chris cracked the whip! Well, it’s nearly Melbourne Cup time, so a little training was called for.
First up was to get fitted for helmets.
Then it was up in the saddle, Katie on Diljá and Chris on Stől.
After a few practice runs, sorry walks, around the indoor arena, Stefania announced they were ready to face the outside world.
The barn door was opened and the horses bolted.
Or rather sauntered out into the sunlight.
As they cantered, sorry walked, into the distance,
John and I poked our noses around the farm.
John found a friend to play with.
And I found some wet noses to pat.
The riders returned and we reluctantly left these beautiful creatures to move on to our lunch destination.
On Jane’s recommendation, the restaurant du jour was on a tomato farm at Reykholt, so obviously the soup du jour was….tomato! The place was surreal. Fine dining amongst thousands of tomato plants, in a greenhouse!
The greenhouse structure combined with a constant temperature inside provided by the geothermal water made for a perfect growing environment. Imported bumblebees from the Netherlands hovered above the plants, doing their pollinating ‘thing’. Ingenious.
The gin and green tomato ‘Happy Mary’ cocktails were pretty good too!
The soup and home baked bread was delicious, fortifying us for our next adventure.
Flúdir was just up the road, and is home to The Secret Lagoon (much like The Secret Bunker, Jen and Grahame)!
Not much of a Secret! But totally wonderful.
We wallowed around in the hot water for about an hour, which was great timing, as just as we got out, a bus load of schoolkids got in! Lucky escape!
Check out the lifeguard! Apparently there was a sign up inside asking people not to humiliate the lifeguard by taking their photo, but gosh, I didn’t see it!
But by far the most bizarre find of the day was our Airbnb. Originally our host Eysteinn’s ‘mancave’, his wife told him it was needed to bring in some more cash for the family. So it was converted into accommodation. Totally weird, filled with all sorts of ‘stuff’. A stuffed albatross, Whirlitzer jukebox, an organ, illuminated darts board…..
And a pool table, of course!
Kanga And Wombats Adventures 