Southern Iceland

Looking back after finding out the road was closed

As ever the weather in Iceland looked uncertain for my first full day in the country not in the office. My friend Albert suggested we drive around some of the less well known parts of the southern part of the island, not quite following the standard Golden Circle route.

Drainage channels

Albert waits in the car as I photograph the scenery

The scenery in the area was very strange, lavafields itermixed with lakes and ice

The frozen shore of a lake with a mountain range in the background

I had a great day walking and driving around these strange landscapes, it was an interesting time of year to be there too as some of ice melted away and the sun interspersed between the clouds and rain.

Dead seagull

More of the lake

Frozen ice cracks and moves on the surface of the lake

Strange rock formations partly covered in moss

As we drove onwards the landscape changed revealing the lava fields covered in moss which can take decades to grow and larger rock formations rearing up in the background. The palette of colours which coloured the landscape was incredible, the patchy snow adding additional interest. The landscapes around Iceland can change on a pretty regular basis as it is such a volcanically active island.

Road leading through the mossy flats

Gravel track leading to Herdisarvik

Herdisarvik

Bleak beach

Remains of traditional Icelandic houses

Herdisarvik, home of poet Einar Benediktsson

Child’s swing sits empty

This un-expected house find in the middle of nowhere was very dramatic, the poet Einar Benediktsson lived here with his wife in relative isolation for much of the year as the land, especially before the modern roads were put through. The winters must have been brutal to endure here, the desolate but beautiful sea views could only have be a great inspiration.