At the moment we are preparing the Survivor Challenge for the grades 8 to 10 at school, which will start tomorrow. There's a lot to do and we spend a lot of extrahours at work, sometimes even till 10 o'clock in the evening or longer. 
Today I took a break there and shot the confirmation pics of the daughter of a colleague, which was quite some fun, especially as she brought her family and dog along to get them with her on some of the pics. I hope they like what they get and I'll attach a few here.
When coming home from that, Ingólfur had started to finally cut our hedge as is was starting to be far too high. It was quite a radical cut, but it'll regrow over summer. Hjördís was helping along and our neighbour is supposed to get rid of all the stuff we cut. Just the question when he'll do that...
For a reward, Ingólfur and Hjördís went for an evening ride on Embla and Ögn and I was following them around with my camera. When coming back home, they had changed their horses, Hjördís now riding Embla, both of them definitely having fun.
The next 3 days will be all about Survivor and I hope things will go like planned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last summer we decided that Sæla frá Hellulandi would stay with us as we liked her quite much. She's a daughter of Geisli frá Sælukoti and Skömm frá Hellulandi out of Hróður frá Refsstöðum and Rós frá Hellulandi. We started her under the saddle some time ago and when her owner offered her to us, we simply couldn't say no. She was with our ridinghorses during winter, but there where one or two things we'd like a professional trainer to take care of and so she went to Erlingur Ingvarsson before we left to Austria in April.
Today we went to fetch her. Ingólfur brought Magnús along so he and Erlingur could go for a ride together. Hjördís and I saw them disappear down the road and when they finally came back, they had switched horses. We liked what we saw and Erlingur did a very good job with her, everything the way we expected. Now it's time to get her into even more training and build up strength and stamina. Looking forward to doing that.
Afterwards we checked on the mares and youngsters. They were in good mood and not too lazy to show off for us and run a bit, Vordís always in front. Soon we'll have to separate them and castrate Rögnir.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our day off was used to check on the lambingseason at Hólmavað and have a look at Snilld and her boys.
When arriving I got the question "Where do you think, she is?" and I pointed on two lambs lying in the grass and an ewe a bit further away and told Ingólfur that it must be Snilld over there. So he stopped the car, I went out and called and in fact it was Snilld and her lambs, taking a stroll over to the car when they heard me. That was really, really nice and I sat down, gave her a good scratch and some treats. The lambs were not so sure about what to think, but nevertheless had a look at me. 
In the meantime another ewe had given birth in the fence close to the stable and Rut had to get her and the lambs inside to give them a bit of privacy. Kvíka still had no lambs, but I think she'll get them very soon. Axa on the other hand was already outside with her daughters, of course running away when I came too close. Good to see the good time the sheep are having in the pasture and I think they'll soon go to the highlands.

 

 

 

 

 

After returning from the South Ingólfur and Bjössi went to fetch those horses that are supposed to be in training during summer and probably go to the sheep roundup in autumn. So Skuggi, Ösp, Glæta and Róði arrived at the stable on Monday, got a pedicure and shoes and were ready to meet the others today. 
But before going to the stable I finally planted my potatoes, which had been waiting for that day quite some time. I put 5 varieties in my garden and have 2 more which will be planted at Jón's garden as space in my garden is very limited.
When arriving in Saltvík I saw a male ptarmigan in our fence and got quite close to get some nice pics. Just a little later we opened the fence for the newarrivals and waited for Sigtýr to check on them. As expected he stole the mares, but told the geldings to stay away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...to the south. Last year's Christmaspresent for Ingólfur were tickets for the Rammsteinconcert in Kopavogur this weekend. And not only the tickets, but a hotelstay and so on, too. We haven't been to a concert that big for years and in fact were quite excited about going there.
But first we had to go south and of course took a break here and there. First stop was at Miðsitja, where we delivered some seed potatoes and got great coffee in return. And just when we were about to leave, we got a Kodakmoment when 2 horses approached from the Valley above and posed for us. 
Saturdaymorning we spent with doing some necessary shopping and going to Bessastaðir, where the president lives and a lot of light-bellied brent geese take a stop-over on their way to Greenland and Westerncanada. It was quite some experience to watch these birds and get a closer look on them as they don't usually stop in the North of Iceland. 
After having early dinner we went to the concert hall, not sure about what was waiting for us. We got the news that there were around 17.000 sold tickets so it was better to be early and get a nice spot at the arena. The transport to and from the concert was very well organised as you could park your car at Smáralind shopping mall and go from there by free bus. Just cars with 4 or more passengers with valid concert tickets were allowed to park closer by the arena. 
The Icelandic band HAM started to warm up and when the main event was just around the corner, the concerthall was packed, no chance to move and little chance for me to see to the stage, but at least I saw a little bit. Too many too tall people taking smaller guests into account. But what the hell, we came to listen, didn't we? It was a great experience to attend the concert, you could feel the basedrum and the heat of the fire on stage, great songs and great atmosphere. And guess who attended the concert, too... The Icelandic President!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday we got the annual call from the farmer at Hagi if we could come and fix the fence after wintertime. Usually there's quite a lot to repair, especially alongside the road, where the most snow is. This year, there was nearly no snow, but river Laxá took about 70 meters of fence away when it went over its banks. He thought, the old fence was gone completely, but we discovered it was the other way round and so we had to take the old fence down before we could start putting the new one up. That was quite some work as the old fence was really overgrown by grass and weeds, very attached to the ground. We even had to leave some wire we couldn't get loose.
After a few hours of work we were proud of what we had accomplished and are thinking about renewing a bit more of the fence at the first possibility.

 

 

 

 

 

Now he's 2 years old, just like his sister. Opposite to her, he has a beautiful long mane and starts to look a lot like his dad, especially the face. Looking forward to seeing him when he's completely through changeing his fur. Think he's gonna be a very nice horse in the future (if we keep an eye on him not getting too cheeky). Liking him a lot.

 

 

 

 

The weather hasn't been up to it's best the last days, rather cold, windy and wet, so the horses fed more than in warmer weather and we had to go and feed them today. Hjördís came with us and helped along. Not so easy to move the big bales, but she and her dad managed in the 3rd try.
Of course the horses were watching with big interest, but with even more interest they followed the promising sound of a plastic bag with dried bread. Always better to get the dessert straight away, isn't it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, already 2 years old! Time's flying. I like this red thunderbolt quite a lot, eventhough I'm not sure what kind of horse she'll be when grown up. At the moment she still looks a bit like she put one of her hooves into an electric plug as her hair more or less stands straight up into the air. So it's a bit hard to take her seriously, I always have to stare at that mane...
She still loves to run around, at the moment her uncle Rögnir likes to chase her and bite her in her behind. At least they are moving ;)
I'm not giving up the hope that the mane will lay down one day...
Snerpa is very interested in us, but not pushy, clearly fivegaited, but showing trott when in the mood to. And I think she's rather determinded and strong minded. Will be interesting if she's gonna be a waterhorse like her mum or a bit a sissy like her dad.
Of course she got some birthdaytreats!

 

 

 

Didn't I tell you Snilld looked like givin birth, soon? Well, she did today. I got a SMS in the early evening, that there were 2 little rams.
As Snilld had been with a grey solid ram and she herself is grey spotted, the lambs could just be grey or grey spotted. So my reply was: "2 grey rams?"
How surprised was I when I got this answer: "1 grey, 1 white". That was definitely genetically not possible, no way! There must be at least a tiny little coloured spot on the white one, best go and check out.
On my way to Hólmavað I met Bensi and Hrund, who were delievering hay to Bjarni and stopped to ask more precisely about the white ram. First I got the explanation, that all of Snilld's family was white (which is not, she's from 2 grey parents)  and she's probably not grey spotted at all, but then Bensi remembered having seen a tiny spot on the left eye of the ram, looking like some mascara. Well, there was the spot!
Snilld was already waiting for me to come and give her some treats, which I did. Went inside her box and had a look at her babies, which were quite nosy and having a look at me. The proud mum got some good scratches and was happy to get soooo much attention.
As it was Eurovision Semifinale tonight, the rams were named after my favourite Icelandic act, which was Silvia Night in 2006. She was accompanied by 2 guys nicknamed Hommi and Nammi. Nammi is the name of the grey ram, Hommi the white with mascara.
Looking forward to having a look at them in a few days again, when they have stretched their legs a bit more.

 

 

 

There you are finally! Where are my treats?

 

 

Hommi

 

 

Here's the spot/mascara

 

 

Nammi  

 

 

 

The official start of the lambingseason at Hólmavað was supposed to be on the 10th of May. In fact the sheep didn't know about the plan and started giving birth today. When we stopped for a short visit, there were already 3 finished and 1 in labour. Snilld looks good and I think she'll give birth soon. But today she was happy about getting treats.
But before we went to the countryside we collected the old hay and put it on spots where is little to no grass. I got 3 very interested helpers, checking on everything I did. I'll attach a pic of them.
When getting home my flowers wanted to be portrayed so I followed their wish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last days have been perfect for riding, great weather and horses. Now it's time to take care of fences, meadows, making gates, cleaning old hay and making plans about the mares, foals and other horses. On the other hand our horses are really busy getting rid off their winterfur (which in return attaches to everything you wear).
This evening we just went to have a look at the youngsters and enjoyed the warm weather just laying down on the meadow and watching them. In fact it's the question who was watching whom... And of course they appreciated a good scratch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've had great weather the last days and decided to break our daily routine a bit today. Outdoorclothes were on top of our list and looking like tourist we climbed in our car and off we went to Þeistareykir. The goal was to check out the amount of snow on the mountains and find a good slope to sled down. When arriving we had to acknowledge that there was pretty little snow left, but found a spot on Bæjarfjall which looked promising. Ingólfur and Hjördís started to climb the mountainside whilst I took a walk down to the lake to check out the ducks and geese there. As I had my big camera with me I decided to stay behind and not risk any damage to it. At the lake I saw a group of tufted ducks, which weren't happy about the interruption, a few greylag geese and a pair of pink-footed geese just arriving. Of course there were some european golden plovers around, the trademarkbird of the highlands. I'm still trying to get used to my big lens, which I have to adjust manually. So the pics are not necessarily always in focus, but I think I'll soon learn how to cope better with the lens. 
Meanwhile father and daughter were closer to the top, soon reached it and walked on the edge to the spot of snow we had spotted before. Then it was the moment to sit down, lift the legs a bit and enjoy the ride. Think they both really did!
And to make a good day even better, we went for the first longer ride today, all the way to Kaldbak and back to the stables. We took 5 horses with us, List was just a handhorse, following me on Sigtýr and sometimes not so happy she had to stay slow with us. Hjördís rode Embla, which went fine, they are getting better and better together and Hjördís especially likes how easy it is to tölt Embla. Ingólfur started his ride on Ögn with Krummi as a handhorse, but changed at Kaldbak, when Ögn missed a shoe. It was the first time we rode Krummi with a handhorse, but all went very well and the horses were happy to roll over in the clean sand when we arrived back home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And with horses the number 1 to do is almost always to eat. At least with most of my horses. After being in the paddock without food during the afternoon, the horses took a rush down to the meadow where the haybale was awaiting them. Usually they are not in as much hurry when they have to go back to the stable/paddock. I think it's a privilege to be able to offer the riding horses a meadow right at the stables and the possibility to stay outside overnight and decide how much and when to eat. Makes them happy and therefore us, too.
Watch them here.

 

 

 

Yesterday evening we joined our friends Gísli and Óli and went all together to Akureyri to have dinner together and watch the Northicelandic Stallionshow in the ridinghall. We didn't know which stallions would be shown, but it's always nice to get an overview and maybe see one or another future star. 
I was rather surprised that the program was quite "fast", mostly 2 stallions at the same time, showing the best the horses had to offer. Some riders obviously had made up a plan and showed some choreography whilst others did more or less their thing. 
There was a very nice group of Óskasteinn frá Íbishóli offsprings, especially a really good brown mare and a very interesting buckskin one. 
Unfortunately the music was that loud you could hardly hear the speaker and the information about the horses in the printed program was really poor, just the name of the horse and rider. It would have been nice to at least know the age and pedigree of each horse as they weren't all listed in the stallion book you got when you bought your ticket. Not everybody was able to look the other stallions up in Worldfengur during the show.
My personal star was the really talented and very young stallion IS2013164067 - Adrían frá Garðshorni á Þelamörk, a young son of Hágangur frá Narfastöðum. He showed exceptional suppleness in all gaits and was offering his rider everything on a silverplate. Were it my horse, I'd allow it to get a very good break now and return to training next autumn. But we'll see what the owners do. Hope it won't be with him like Konsert frá Hofi, which was showed far too much at a very young age.
It was nice to meet a lot of people, have interesting chats about the show and watch promising horses.