All the lambs were weighed today and those supposed to stay alive checked by María, the amicus curiae for sheep, who judged the conformation, measured the backmuscle and the fat on it. Afterwards Bensi had to go through the whole bunch and decide which ones were going to the slaughterhouse the next day and which ones needed to get a bit heavier or were allowed to live on. Lukka of course had to watch everything from the best place available.

 

 

 

Every year the riding club invites its members for a ride with games and grill afterwards. Usually the ride is a bit longer, maybe going from Traðagerði to Botnsvatn or from the riding hall to Laxamýri and back or something like that. This year the weather wasn't good at all so we decided to take a very short ride to Saltvík and back to the riding hall. After taking care of the horses we met there and played different games, like bootcast and a relay race with very funny exercises. Last but not least we had delicious grilled leg of lamb with a lot of different sidedishes. So despite the not too good weather it was a very nice afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was time to seperate the lambs from their mums today and we went to Hólmavað to help a bit. Of course Snilld was ready to get some treats and show me her rams. It's so funny how different they look. Not just the colour but the whole conformation differs. Now it was easier to see the small black markings on the white ram, which tells me, he's spotted and not white. Well, now they have to say goodbye to her mum and be big boys.

 

 

 

 

 

This year's weatherforecast for the sorting day wasn't as good as it could be and the day started with light rain. Nevertheless a lot of people came to help Bensi and Ella and it was nice to have so many helpers. Ína and her kids came for the first time and it was great to see, how the kids learned what to do, had fun and got quite a connection with the sheep. Snilld was, as usual, in the last group that was driven into the pen and Kristján caught her in about 1 minute from entering the pen.
Ingólfur and Hjördís went to fetch horses and help driving the sheep back home just before we were about to leave Hraunsrétt. They just managed in time to get back, saddle the horses and join. I grabbed the car and trailer and used the opportunity to take pics on the way. Got 2 passengers, too. Bensi put tired sheep in the horsetrailer. When I parked the car on the meadow at Hólmavað, I just left the trailer open so they could leave whenever they wanted to. Think they liked the service. 
And there was somebody driving the sheep on horseback, who I'd never expected to do so! Rut had trained during summer and lead the herd home together with Hjördís.
When all the sheep were back home, we gathered together and had great homesmoked hangikjöt, mashed potatoes, peas and a lot more. Everybody enjoyed himself and it was great to have so many people around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me and Hjördís went to meet the sheep, sheepdogs and shepherds today. Took the horsetrailer with me to drive the horses, which weren't needed anymore, back home. We had a saddle and Hjördís' riding gear with us as the plan was that she'd ride Embla back to Hólmavað from Hraunsrétt.
It looked like the herders gathered the majority of the sheep. While watching we saw Bensi's leadersheep Kvíka in front of the herd and most of the lambs and sheep coming looked quite well, a lot of fluffy woolen balls rolling downhill.
After having coffee I drove Katla and Vigri home and came back in time to see the herd approaching the gate uphill. There was a TV team from the United States, filming the roundup and they were happy to get a few tips to where the sheep would go and so on. Hjördís and me waited then for the herd at Hraunsrétt. It was quite fun to watch the sheep entering the area in a long, fluffy line. I even spottet Snilld with her 2 rams. She nearly caused a havoc when not entering through the last gate but turning around shortly before. In the end they made her go through.
Ingólfur and Hjördís then saddled up Embla and left with a group of riders in direction to Hólmavað. I was lucky enough to reach the last meadow they had to pass before them and become witness to a horserace between Bensi and Hjördís, which Hjördís on Embla of course won. A year ago I wouldn't have dared to dream about anything like this. It's great to see how much these two trust each other - a very special bond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As every year around the second weekend of September it's time to go to the highlands and gather the sheep. Ingólfur took Skuggi, Ösp and Embla to the roundup and as usual he met with friends at Geitafell to ride to Þeistareykir. Unfortunately they got the worst weather in a very long time, rainy and stormy, but nevertheless they started their trip in the afternoon. Well, when they arrived, they were wet but in good mood and the weather had gotten better, too. Now it's 2 days in the highlands before driving the herd to the valley on Saturday. Best luck!