Update notice. Blogs delayed...

My blogs about my travel to Iceland will come shortly. I didnt have any chance to work on it while in Iceland (full ipad... does not support blogger either) so I have to write it all from memory, get the photo's ready and stuff like that. I really hope time will bring a little more fortune to make it all easier, Im so dieing to share my stories and adventures, but if computer keeps crashing, photo's take up to 30 minutes to proces, if the program doesnt crash before that, it works very frustrating.
So hang on in there! The blogs surely will arrive and at least I hope for the first, maybe also the second tomorrow! No promis, just trying to do my very best!

I doubt it I will come up with a movie this year, I really think that will finally kill my poor computer haha!

Picture from last year! Because I dont have any available yet.

Ps I noticed I didnt even continue with my January blogs.... OOPS.... really I think I will find a crowdfund/donation button to add on my blog so people can help me getting a new computer faster lol!

Iceland2015 Day 11 Sorting of the Horses

Exactly 10.00 the herd is taken out of the overnight pasture and herded towards the sorting corral to be sorted out to their owners. And so I stood there waiting for the herd to arrive. Some horses were just as excited for the arrival as some farmers are to see their horses and foals back.

This horse was very excited before the herd even arrived, giving nice pictures

The herd didnt look that big, as it was a compact herdof horses. So they passed by rather quickly, but always impressive to see! After they arrived, I drop some of my stuff at the farm where our horses are and go for a walk to take pictures of all those beautiful horses in all colors shapes and sizes. And not much later I found myself a friend who didnt want to leave my side. A beautifull flaxen liver chestnut, maybe even silverdapple that kept giving me kisses and followed me wherever I went. It just wanted to be in the picture, quite literally. Only when some farmers wandered into the herd and started to chase some horses away, it left and vanished in this heap of horses. I didnt see it again, maybe it was sorted out to its farm quickly. I guess with horses you also have this smart asses that know the way and want to be first in line. Wouldnt be surprised :-)

My friend, it probably likes to take selfies if it could!

Of course there were also many foals, they havent seen a lot of humans since they were born, and it is amazing to just sit down a bit and try to lure a youngster to feed its curiousity. And then to feel this incredible soft and gentle nose of a foal to investigate you. And then to try be carefull with movements, they are so squittish and need to learn to trust humans, they of course will, but at this moment they are such blanc books... I cant wait for it to have my own foal one good day.

What a beautifull foal. Beautifull bay with 2 blue eyes and a crested moon. Ai

I have seen the sorting now for some years, it really cannot keep me entertaining anymore for too long. So I walked up the hill overlooking it all and took some pictures from there. Then bought something to eat and hoped to win a horse with the lottery ticket it gave. Number 957 nothing much more than my lucky number(s). And when they finally were giving away the horse, it was number 457 Ai.... so close so close... but still my lucky number.

That cloud didnt pour down on us, thank goodness!

Take me selfie!

Our horses were always begging for attention. The record was 10 heads lining up. But we had 2 Icelandic girls dancing and bouncing so did not manage to picture that in time!

After the sorting we went to saddle and pick up our horses. As I was getting stiff and tired I had difficulties mounting Thorra, despite they are so small, it can be such a challenge for me, as I have never been allowed to mount from the ground! So everybody was on and rode away, I walked with Thorra because I knew we had to wait anyway, and found a ditch somewhere and 'parked' Thorra in it so I could get on her back in ease. At least I get clever with finding ways. And for some reason if there is a rush I always get on. Magic happens...

Despite I went to a toilet before we left, I terrible needed to pee along the way, so unbearable, especially when riding. I decided to just go for a ditch on one of the bigger breaks, even if I knew it was just my body manipulating me. That was a night mare really and didnt work, but the urge was gone. My mind settled in the idea this was not good. Then they noticed Thorra was not walking sound and clear. I had to be carefull with her and taking it easy with her. Well she will take it easy anyway haha! If she was getting worse they would get another horse from the herd for me. But I moved along and let Thorra decide her pace, and she just wanted to canter.
When we passed the ringroad and were on the riverbanks to Galtanes, our herd got on the loose. Far far away. We waited for them to return and moved along. And then one of the horses threw up some dirt in my face, followed minutes later by a big but smooth stone. It hit my eye but my reflex was quick enough to close it before it hit. But it hurted like crazy. I gave Thorra full rein to follow her own way home while I tried to evaluate the situation. I could see but my eyes started tearing like crazy, started to roll and I felt dizzy. I pressed my hand to my eye to reduce the pain and that helped. After a few minutes I got control over the situation again, my vision was ok. Hazy because of the tearing but it didnt appear to have damage in my eye. Thank goodness. I wouldnt know how to drive down to Keflavik tomorrow if I lost sight there.

After arriving at Galtanes it was the painfull truth to know for time being this was the last time to see and ride a horse. Always a tough moment. Even if it is tough already because my last days in Iceland are usually emotional for me. It is very important for me to be here, to ease my mind and think of nice things in life instead of all the trouble and worries that await me when back home. But I have still some days left, which I will enjoy to the max. I sure will!

The diner was quite funny, every once in a while the cook came out with a drink, increasing its strenght from beer to wine to wodka to whatever. And he was telling jokes. Everybody laughed except me because I didnt understand a word of it in Icelandic. It must have been funny :-) And some Icelandic guys were giving a mini concert of them 5 singing old Icelandic hymes. This culture is so incredible authentic, and I so love it! 

In the evening I packed my stuff, prepared for my last days before going back to the swamps of 'home'. The forecast gave snow in the afternoon on the ringroad I had to drive down to Keflavik so I wanted to leave rather early. my car has no wintertires and is of the less convenient type to drive such circumstances.

I was very happy with this years stay at Gauksmyri, but hope next year we have the common mixed group again, so I feel less lonely. Despite that, I loved every second of it.

Im so tired!Can I sleep on your neck? Never mind the flags growing from my ears!

Im pretty but can someone please get this untangled?

Pretty silverdapple yearling.

Iceland 2015 Day 10 The Roundup of the Horses

The feeling wether or not to go ride today was still with me in the morning. But I was not surrendering and went anyway. First we had the morning off, and I was doubting wether or not to go out see Hvitserkur or Kolarfoss. I opted for it to just lazy around a bit and get more of my clothes dry and ready for use.

At 13.30 we drove to the sheep corral and compared to previous years the weather was very mild. I doubted to keep my jacket on, but since I had nowhere to put it, I kept it on. The sun was shining, the Vididalsfjall was covered in snow overnight. We had rainbows and saw rainclouds pouring out their sadness elsewhere in the valley. It wasnt even cold. It took a long time before we finally could take off.

Our first goal was to cross the first river before the herd catches up. Our herd wasnt too big this year, but we just made it in time to cross this river. In previous years this was the only river we had to cross, but boy was I in for a moment of ectasy moments later? We had to cross the Vididalsá at a point were it was quite wide. I tried to avoid it, but couldnt help it that when me and Thorra crossed it, thinking us alone, we were flanked by a few horses from the herd and it felt so amazing so total freedom as if I was one of those horses. The sound it makes to hear all these hooves tremble the water, it was WOOW and at this moment I didnt even feel scared. Not a second. I was even filming it, but only to find out later, it was not recording. I only have the beginning and the sound it made at a later moment when I had to drop the camera for safety reasons.

This must have been the most amazing 5 minutes in my life. So far. After the river we rode along with the herd and it felt so strange for me, as if I was not myself. I tried to distance myself from the herd a bit, but I felt like, why would I? So I didnt and moved along until this bliss faded away when we reached the gate to the road. No more rough terrain riding this year. From now on, only roads.

We had a little break at this little house with this incredible sweet elderly couple who provides us with free drinks and homemade kleinur. You could see it on their faces they LOVE this day of the year, when so many horses gather around their little house.

The herd is moved towards the meeting point with the other herd. Just like last year they didnt manage to keep the herd waiting and they all went all directions they shouldnt go. Decided to herd them on to their overnight pasture anyway, and we followed against the odds. I had at this moment an amazing fly of tölt with Thorra, I was riding alone and this time I felt she was really smooth and sound flying in a nice tölt. I enjoyed it, and people were filming it and so hope to see that back somewhere if it looks just as good as it felt. Probably not ;-)

Later we turned around, which the horses were not too happy about, because they know they go home. And they only want that. But we had to wait for the big herd, which arrived 30 minutes later. And it was HUGE. I guess most horses went to this part of the mountains this year. The first part of the ribbon was just riders, hundreds of them, and then came the endless ribbon of the herd itself. Lingering all the way up the hill, such an amazing sight.

We followed them, and it was nice to see them a bit later in their overnight pasture, all resting from todays hard work. Its always amazing to see how these horses know the way it goes, there isnt often a horse that decides to think different, mothers teach their foals and they seem to know for life how it all works. Depsite the herd sometimes wanders off in wrong directions of course!

Our day was finished, and went back to Gauksmyri after we left our horses at Litla Ásgeirsá farm, next to the round up corral. We had appropiate kjötsupa, which for some reason always taste best after a long day outdoors.
At night I was blessed with a minor outburst of northern lights, but it was also clouded. It didnt produce any nice pictures so far. I went back in hoping for more clearings and dried my clothes. Thanks to the outdoor pants my feet didnt really get more wet then from the remains of yesterday. Good stuff! Now I hope to find out a way if I can get a storage in Iceland so I can have some good riding gear in the future and just leave it there in Iceland. It would safe a lot of packing luggage frustration too, because it not only takes lots of space, but also weight to take decent waterproof riding gear. Sounds like an idea!

Iceland 2015 Day 9 Riding at Gauksmyri

I found out I was not alone in this years round up. It was sad to hear most regulars that slowely become acquintances to me could not come this year, as a big group of Norwegians, like 20 people, decided to book this trip and filled up all the seats in one order. Glad I always book in advance, but this wasnt really the best combination either, you feel left out quite easily. But Gauksmyri is a lovely place and there is always people who come join you with the meals or enjoys a talk with you.

This year instead of herding the horses from Hvammstangi to Gauksmyri and then to the sheep corral was changed into two riding tours of each 2-3 hours. The weather didnt look very promising and despite that, I decided to not go for my more waterproof ridingclothes. But what we didnt know straight away is that we would be crossing some rivers today.

We drove off to Galtanes farm where our horses were waiting for us. From the Norwegian group about 8 people would join the round up, and then we had some girls and a guy who would be there to help out or just ride along for some time. I was reunited with my regular horse Thorri who was in fact Thorra. It was a she! I heavy rely on a horse that I know and trust, and despite of her being quite old and rather slow, I prefered that over another case of last years struggle with Auma. A nice horse to ride but too nervous for me to ride on rough grounds.

Thats Thorra, it has been raining a lot before leaving and my girl enjoyed a good roll just before she was caught. Yay!

In the morning we just did a ride around in the area without the herd, a relaxing part of the trails we would ride in the next days as part of the round up. We started already with crossing a river, the Vididalsá. Not too deep but enough to make sure you keep your legs up a bit. No wet feet at this stage yet. We continued to ride up north on the riverbed, easy smooth ground and then we had to cross the ringroad. But this time we went underneath the bridge, partly into water and when we reached the other side, a small bridge awaits us, one used by horses to cross the river Vididalsá. We never use it with a herd as that is quite unsafe, we also had to get off our horses and walk beside them to cross the river.

The bridge in the distance

Made it to the other side. Left you see the bridge of the ringroad which we crossed underneath.

The we rode on and our guide suddenly decided to go down a steep way towards the riverbed. The direction he was going didnt look promissing, the trail here became smaller and smaller and the river looked so deep! Suddenly the guide turned left and started to cross the river. Ai... this can make me so nervewrecking, sometimes I am really a scared chicken with horses. It was a nice view to see the line of horses cross the river and great to see it wasnt THAT deep. Still enough for wet socks!

Crossing Vididalsá river

Finally my turn and it looked like taking forever to reach the other side, it was like 20 meter and the river has a strong flow. Many times I just close my eyes and let Thorra find her way. But the next challenge awaited us, she had to jump onto the river bank. You can see the darker parts on the picture, thats what we had to jump on and then a few meters climbing steep up to the dry riverbank. Quickly I grabbed as many manes as I could and gave her space to find her way up. I really need to find a way to get more comfortable on horseback. But thanks to holding on her manes we made it safe up the hill and the rest of our ride would promise no more river crossings. But in the afternoon.... lots of them!

We rode back to the bridge we crossed and after the guide closed its fence again (we didnt cross it as we crossed the river this time in the water) we followed our path back underneath ringroad 1 and the riverbanks.

After putting the horses out again in the meadows we returned to Gauksmyri for a delicious lunch. Beg me pardon I dont know anymore what it was. We had something with fish and lasagna but on which days or what times, I have no clue!

In the afternoon it looked like nice weather would be our share, but at Galtanes farm we were overwhelmed by some fierce rainshowers, we saddled our horses inside and waited for better weather. Thankfully this is Iceland, so after 15 minutes we could get ready to leave, with a herd this time. We left a bit earlier than the herd, so they would follow us. Now we were going to the sheep corral, and if it was last year mainly over roads and the regular horse and sheep herding roads, now we would go over rough terrain, rivers and in the last part the area we start with the round up.

I have no idea how many rivers we actually did cross this ride, but it was a lot. Of which one time at a risky point where we strictly had to follow the horse in front. Well with loose horses with you thats a challenge, they push you out of direction, and thats why we always have to keep distance from the loose horses. But this river was deep and gosh adrenaline kicked in in huge amounts, while Thorra fought against the streams and stumbled on big boulders below the surface, one time almost loosing her balance. Fast streaming, big boulders and water up to my knees... thats adventure. Until that moment you feel your clothes cant hold back anymore the water, and a stream of icecold water flows into my boots. As they are waterproof until my ancle you can imagine the feeling the rest of the ride. Strangely adrenaline avoided me to feel cold for even a second. It didnt bother too much.
The following rivers I naturally couldnt care less to get wet feet, didnt take any effort anymore to life my feet up, and this was also good for my anxiety to be honest. Sitting now more sturdy in the saddle, less risk to fall off.

All this adrenaline made me mentally tired, which means my riding and keeping balance gets less. Just at the moment we had to cross the lava field. I couldnt make Thorra fly in a nice tölt over this area like all others did. I just couldnt manage that, and I was far behind together with Eva. But the great side of this is that I get this feeling to be alone in the world on a horse. A feeling that bliss me. Surrounded by waterfalls and beautifull autumn colors. The world can be such a beautifull place and I really didnt feel the need to be at our destination as fast as possible. I liked it the way it is, slow and steady. Using your senses and enjoy the moment you live.

I must say after this ride I seriously had doubts if I wanted to go ride tomorrow. Somehow anxiety had kicked in with me, and I had to sort this out for myself. I every once in a while get this 'mood' that fear takes control over my life and especially over things I love to do. I did not want to surrender. But on the other hand, this ride we did was not a piece of cookie. It was daring and challenging. It is what riding in Iceland is about. And back home I ride way too less horses, and then its always on flat grounds. But the response of Icelanders if I say that is usually that flat grounds give space to the horse to flee, to run as fast as it possibly can. It looks safe but its not. This rough area in Iceland holds back the horses, they are carefull with their legs. But in my case it is not the speed that concerns me, but my own balance. I only seem to get worse in keeping my balance, and thats what I need to learn, I need to ride horses focussing on keeping balance. Basicly said, more in Icelandic circumstances.

Well, back home we had dinner either the lasagna or the fish. :-) In the evening I relaxed a bit, got my riding boots a bit dry by putting the hairdryer in them. I first had them standing upside down to get all the water out, but the fabrics were so absorbing that it took forever to see water coming out.

Tired after today!