We leave Reykjavik on Saturday, August 31st in the evening. The weather window is narrow, between two fairly deep depressions. The residual swell unsettles the stomachs of our not-yet-seasick friends, and the wind picks up during the night, allowing us to reach the western edge of Snaefellsjökull by morning. But the last miles are laborious, tacking in 6 Beaufort winds, short choppy waves, and an unfavorable current. We reach the small port of Rif in the mid-afternoon and moor Libertaire between two fishing boats.
After a good dinner and a well-deserved night's rest, we leave Libertaire securely moored in the southwest wind and set off to hike on the slopes of the glacier. This glacier was noted by Jules Verne, who placed the entrance to the center of the earth there in his book "Journey to the Center of the Earth."
On Tuesday morning, we set course north toward Talknafjördur, admiring the many rainbows in the showery sky. The first 40 miles are pleasant, running downwind, accompanied by playful dolphins. The last 20 miles are under motor, as the wind abandons us, and we moor Libertaire in the small port at nightfall. After dinner, we can't resist a nighttime dip in the "Hot Pot" of Pollurin! Lying in 42°C water, watching the Milky Way and shooting stars—that's Iceland! The next day, we set off in the sun for a beautiful hike to Bildudalur. After 8 hours of walking, we return to the Pollurin hot springs for a relaxing hour...
On Thursday, after 36 miles of calm sailing under a blue sky, we reach Thingeyri in Dyrafjordur at sunset. After a good meal, we have the pleasure of watching a new aurora borealis. The next day, Pierre and Caroline leave us to visit the Akureyri region and the interior of Iceland. As for us, we set off to climb Sandfell. That day, the new depression forces us to stay in port, while Charlotte and Julien leave for their hike in southern Iceland at Landmannalaugar.
Tomorrow, as conditions are expected to improve, we will set course for Isafjordur before heading to the wild Hornstrandir.
