The day of the change of location is coming, the car is loaded, the cottage tidied up and cleaned - departure was around 9:30.
In contrast to previous years, we did not change again from the south to the north. The route to the west was only about 260km long.
Thus, it should be a relaxed day, despite the one or the other unplanned stop to admire the landscape.
In contrast to previous years, we did not change again from the south to the north. The route to the west was only about 260km long.
Thus, it should be a relaxed day, despite the one or the other unplanned stop to admire the landscape.
Our First stop was again Thingvellir, since excellent flying weather was on the horizon.
We didn't want to miss the chance to take some drone pictures of the lake, which was as smooth as glass that day.
We didn't want to miss the chance to take some drone pictures of the lake, which was as smooth as glass that day.
No sooner said than done, and a short time later the disaster took its course.
During a (in retrospect, of course, reckless) flight maneuver to the water surface, the sensors did not react and with a splash my drone put itself into premature retirement.
My wife heard only two sounds in succession: splash and shit.
During a (in retrospect, of course, reckless) flight maneuver to the water surface, the sensors did not react and with a splash my drone put itself into premature retirement.
My wife heard only two sounds in succession: splash and shit.
What remains is a farewell photo and the annoyance at myself, which, however, quickly disappeared, since the situation could not be changed.
The important thing was that there was no loss of the previous recordings, as I had bought a portable SSD especially for the trip to back up the data. We backed it up every evening from all the devices. This loss would weigh much more heavily.
I then submitted a FlyAway request to DJI in the following days, during the processing of which DJI also confirmed to me that the sensors would have major problems with reflective surfaces.
I then submitted a FlyAway request to DJI in the following days, during the processing of which DJI also confirmed to me that the sensors would have major problems with reflective surfaces.
We continued our journey to the west and already at the next waterfall, Þórufoss, the beauty of the landscape had caught up with us again and the loss of the drone was almost forgotten.
Meðalfellsvatn
Meðalfellsvatn
For the route to the west we deliberately chose not the fast route via the ring road, but the 47.
Before we turned onto the 47, however, we first passed a nameless steam column and the lake Meðalfellsvatn - the landscape was reflected in its water, something you don't see every day.
Before we turned onto the 47, however, we first passed a nameless steam column and the lake Meðalfellsvatn - the landscape was reflected in its water, something you don't see every day.
The 47 leads once around the Hvalfjörður a fjord with other beautiful waterfalls, like the Kvíslafoss together with the Laxfoss, in addition the Fossarétt.
And of course Glymur, the Icelandic waterfall with the highest drop.
Hvalfjörður
Hvalfjörður
Kvíslafoss
Kvíslafoss
Laxfoss
Fossarétt
Fossarétt
Fossarétt
Hvalfjörður
A photo from 2015, where you can see only the gorge into which the Glymur falls.
This year it should be different and I planned a hiking route laterally high to Glymer with option on the Breiðifoss, which is still above Glymur - a challenging route for about 4-5 hours hiking time for outward and return.
Yesterday we had learen from our friend Jon that the lower path that we have hiked partly in 2015 , is known to the Icelanders as "bone crusher route" - good to know.
Decisive for our planning was, on the one hand, that we of course wanted to finally see the Glymur, and that in 2015 we were alone in the area around the Glymur, except for another hiking couple.
So we were looking forward to a challenging tour, with peace and great scenery.
Since the desire was father of the thought. When we reached the parking lot, it was full to the last place, there was hardly enough free space to turn around with the car.
We were then within a few seconds nonverbally agreed, we continued our journey without the Glymur.
Yesterday we had learen from our friend Jon that the lower path that we have hiked partly in 2015 , is known to the Icelanders as "bone crusher route" - good to know.
Decisive for our planning was, on the one hand, that we of course wanted to finally see the Glymur, and that in 2015 we were alone in the area around the Glymur, except for another hiking couple.
So we were looking forward to a challenging tour, with peace and great scenery.
Since the desire was father of the thought. When we reached the parking lot, it was full to the last place, there was hardly enough free space to turn around with the car.
We were then within a few seconds nonverbally agreed, we continued our journey without the Glymur.
I used the time that had become free for a few flights with our small drone at the end of the fjord. Here we could see a small but beautiful waterfall and the view into the fjord was wonderful.
I had the pleasure, I got into a conversation with an older Icelander who came from the Glymur region. It was an interesting exchange, how he also experienced the development of tourism over the years.
Finally, he wished us a mild winter because of the energy crisis in Germany.
Our experience over the years has been invariably positive when there has been the opportunity to engage in conversation with Icelanders. As with the Scandinavian on the mainland, we find the mentality very pleasant.
Friendly, helpful and if not extroverted, nevertheless always open and interested in conversation.
Friendly, helpful and if not extroverted, nevertheless always open and interested in conversation.
Borgames
The rest of the route took us in the direction of the ring road or west coast.
At Borgames we took a short break to have a look at the sea, the town and the bridge.
At Borgames we took a short break to have a look at the sea, the town and the bridge.
Before we could continue with our planned sightseeing, we finally had to stop at a herd of Icelanders - to pet and feed them - something you wouldn't do at home.
This is probably also because the Icelanders tend to move at eye level.
After that, we continued almost without interruptions to Glanni and the volcanic crater Grábrók.
The ascent to Grábrók is, thanks to the steps, clearly easy like the loose ground at Eidfell on the Westman Islands.
Shortly after that we left the ring road 1, in the direction of the 60, to our destination Búðardalur in the west of Iceland.
The road led us right at the beginning again properly in the height.
As the road meandered into the valley on the other side, we discovered two more waterfalls off the road, somewhat hidden.
That was the last stop for today before we moved into our vacation home.
After settling in, we were able to marvel at the first sunset in the West to end the day - it won't be the last either. 🌅
