It was time to weigh the lambs at Hólmavað again to pick the second group of slaughterlambs. We helped along and it looks like Ella had a new helper at her side ;)

 

 

 

 

Today I got the chance to photograph the German Shorthair pup Loki. He's quite lively and interested in a lot of things. Especially rock ptarmigans. So not so easy to get good pics, lots of motion going on. But at least I got some really nice shots. Would be great to take snow pics later.
In the afternoon we moved Embla and Ögn to Ísólfsstaðir for their autumnbreak. They seemed to like that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stopped by at Laxamýri to take off the shoes and trimm the hooves of Sigga's horses.  Or to be precise, Ingólfur did these things with Sigga's assistance whilst I spent time trying to get pics of the animals around. I especially like the chicken and the fabolous rooster accompanying them. After work we got delicious lunch and coffee. Not too bad for a bit of help!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horsetraining isn't always just about riding, but making the horses aquainted with different things. Today I emptied the big bag in the stable and decided to have a look how the boys would react to it. Fönix liked it straight away, stepped on it, pawed on it and had a look if there was anything to eat hidden inside. Kóngur was a bit sceptical, but had a closer look soon. Rögnir wasn't convinced easily, but in the end even he had a look and tried to step on it.
Next challenge was the moving bag... As before Fönix was really interested and not impressed at all when the bag moved around. The other 2 followed with a distance, but after a few minutes and some treats everything was ok.
By the way: we did ultrasound Ögn, who was with Bósi and Vordís. Unfortunately neither Ögn nor Flugsvinn, which we fetched earlier this autumn, are not in foal, but Vordís is! So if everything goes the way it's supposed to be, there will be a foal after Óskasteinn and Vordís next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I mentioned earlier this year, we got a new spot for our potatoes. They were planted in a very good patch facing west and getting enough sunlight over day. We didn't fertilize but put sand on top of the soil to make it warmer. The potatoehaulm didn't grow much, it wasn't very dense or high, so I didn't have high hopes for a great harvest. How wrong I was! When starting to dig up I realized that there were nearly no tiny/small potatoes and quite some amount below each plant. We planted 12 tubers of the 8 varieties we had and the surplus was planted in a blended patch (I especially like to harvest there, you never know what you get). When harvesting I realized it would be better to plant Vitelotte in boxes/pots/bags as this variety likes to grow tubers far away from the motherplant, which makes it difficult to find all of them. Well, hope I got most of them!
So here are the results: 
1.Sieglinde: 2,122 kg
2. Unknown (maybe Sieglinde): 2,053 kg
3. Pink Fir Apple: 2,884 kg
4. Magyar Rosza: 1,821 kg
5. Rote Emma/Emmalia: 2,812 kg
6. Vitelotte: 1,109 kg
7. Blauer Fingerling: 0,725 kg
8. Violetta: 2,276 kg

 

 

 

 

When coming back from Skagafjörður we stopped by and visited Hugleikur and his friends in Eyvík. Hugleikur is going to stay a stallion a bit longer and is happy with the two other stallions in the big field close to the sea. It's a privilege for horses to be able to grow up in surroundings like that. Makes them strong and surefooted. We definitely liked what we saw and I hope you like the pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same procedure as last year ;) We went to meet our friends at Miðsitja for the traditional Laufskálaréttweekend. Yesterday we went to Sauðárkrókur to watch the annual show and I was in for a surprise as it was so much better than I had expected. I especially liked the horse and carriage, where the driver gave a short impression of what's going on when driving a marathon carriage.  
Today was the collecting and sorting of the horses. Ingólfur went for the ride and I went to the kitchen helping with the snacks and drinks. At the corral I found myself a good spot and waited for the sorting to begin. Interesting place to be, but not for a very long time as it gets really crowded. Not my thing. 
Back home we relaxed a bit before having drinks, chats and dinner. This year we were responsible for the dessert and had a nice surprise for everybody: a layered dessert in a jar. Nice, easy and tasty! We got great reviews and were even asked if it would be possible to order that for next summer. I really apprechiate getting responde like that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a few orchids, to be precise Phalaenopsis hybrids, in our kitchen. They seem to enjoy the humidity and are doing quite well. Some of them are flowering right now and I used the opportunity to take a few pics in an improvised studio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long time - no see. We haven't visited our friends Pétur and Marietta at Finnsstaðaholt for quite some time. Always on the schedule, but never worked out. Well, this weekend we finally made it. First stop at Egilsstaðir was the gardencenter where I of course couldn't resist getting myself a new orchid whilst buying one for our hosts, too. If you find a variety you have never seen before, why not grab it?
After dinner we had a nice chat and went to bed rather early. Saturday was dedicated to having a look at horses, talk about horses and visit horsepeople. After checking the foals we drove to Skríðuklaustur and had a look at the wonderful settlement museum there. It was interesting to learn about the monastery that was there at the early ages and wander through the impressive building inspecting original furniture and photographs. From there we went to Suðurdalur and drove all the way in to Sturluflöt as we intended the visit the inhabitants, but nobody was home. Impressing place to live! On the way back we stopped at Viðivöllum fremri and had a chat with Valli and his wife. Nice to get to know new people. Then we headed back home, had dinner and went to Vök, the new baths in the east. Very interesting place to be, but I'd have liked to have a bit more time there. Well, next time!
Sunday we had a look at the older horses and then it was time to say goodbye and drive home... Great to meet our friends and spend time together. Now we are waiting for them to come with their "fat" horses to have them with ours at Ísólfsstaðir. Hope they'll come soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn is the time to start the youngsters and this autumn is no exception! Rögnir, Kóngur and Fönix are at the stables, but Snerpa and Magnús went to Melgerðismélar today, where they'll stay with Ásdís Helga for training. Snerpa is starting her career as a riding horse (she got the basics last autumn, but we skipped mounting and riding as she wasn't ready for that) and Magnús will get some further education. Looking forward to have a look when they have been there for a while.
Rögnir will get his basics  that is getting used to be longed, learning what he's supposed to do with the bit in his mouth and bearing a saddle. Kóngur and Fönix will be educated further after rehearsing what they already learned. These two will be back inside in January after a Christmasbreak, but Rögnir will get a year off and further education next year. But first of all they are going to meet Vignir the vet, who'll check their teeth.
Bjössi fetched Vordís for me today and after a whole summer with Óskasteinn and not getting in foal I have little hope she'll be in foal at all. But we'll see. Keeping our fingers crossed! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Réttardagur - Sortingday! One of the days I look forward to during the year, but this time I wasn't allowed to take part (at least not drag any sheep). I was lucky enough to meet the girls form Saltvík who were more than ready to help and learn about how to sort. It was fun to teach them about the marks and how to move the sheep from A to B. Not so easy when doing it the first time. Bensi called the girls my "dráttarvélar" ("dragging machines", the icelandic word for tractor) and was happy to get a few more helping hands. As usual Kvíka was the first one to greet us, walking straight up to Ella and saying Hello. Snilld and her boys arrived, too and nearly all of Bensi's sheep, which hasn't been like that the last years. After sorting and driving the herd back home, we had lunch and then separated the lambs from their mums and put them in different fences. Busy day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from the misty mountains the shepherds and sheep arrived at Geitafell around lunchtime today. In fact the sheep weren't so much about stopping but tried to outnumber the herders and escape further down to the valley. Well, that didn't work out like planned and the herd had to take the planned break before heading down to Aðaldalurvalley. The weather wasn't too good, which explains the hurry the sheep were in. I managed to meet Snilld and one of her rams, the second one seemed to be around too, but more interested in the other sheep than his mum. Looking forward to sorting tomorrow, even though I'm not allowed to take parte due to my knee. I'll take at least my cam around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingólfur and Bjössi started their sheeproundup adventure today riding to Þeistareykir mountain cabin. They were lucky with the weather and got pancakes as a snack with them. Was lucky enough to get 2 before they started. After leaving them I rushed back to Húsavík where Ulrike and her family were waiting for me. They were delighted when I suggested a trip to the mountains and meet Ingólfur. It was nice to be able to show them how strong the elements are up there and make it possible to experience the power of steam streaming up the vents. Shortly after that the riders arrived finally and we stopped by for a short meet and greet. The guys will stay overnight and start their day tomorrow early, but I'll fetch Ingólfur in the evening so he can sleep and home and get a good rest. Hope things will go fine the next days.

 

 

 

 

Our friends Mira and Florian stopped by for a visit and of course we used the chance to go for a ride. Well, Ingólfur and our friends went for a ride and I rode our car to get some nice pics. When judgeing by their faces, they enjoyed our horses and the beautiful scenery. Mira rode Sigtýr, Florian Embla and Ingólfur Sæla along the cliffs and over the black beach. Love to be able to offer experiences like that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like the years before, we were asked to help herding the sheep in the homeland of Klambrasel. This time I couldn't join on horseback, but Jón Borgar went to assist Bjössi and Ingólfur. Upon arriving quite a funny view awaited us as all the chicken had gathered together under the pick up of Gunnar. They definitely disliked the drizzle whilst the ducks were happily running around looking for food.
Then it was time to start. The guys went on back and up the hill and I was in the car watching the herders and sheep in the hillside as I had a better overview from there. That way I was able to tell them about sheep going the wrong direction and so on. Hope I was useful there.