weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Todays driving route from Holmavik to my new overnight stay at a pleasant farm with fairly substantial lodging and restaurant in Heydalur is only some 100 km / 60 mi, very conducive to add a few exploratory detours and to collect more photographic impressions of the area. I first head up via Drangsnes in north-easterly direction following the western shore of the Hunafloi bay, a large expanse of water 50 km / 30 mi wide and 100 km / 60 mi long. Driving on gravel roads, I reach the small village of Djupavik, once a busy herring-processing station, now largely abandoned, with some of the station's quarters converted to cater to the few tourists that reach this remote area and intend to stay here. I came across a rusty-red/orange decaying boat beached right beside the former herring station, that echoed the red/orange grasses we frequently encountered on this trip - we will see this in tomorrow's post. Next I retraced my steps back to almost Holmavik and then headed west towards the Isafjardardjup fjord, following its eastern shore in northerly direction as far as the small, photogenic Kaldalon fjord leading off from the main fjord. At the land-end of the Kaldalon fjord poses the mighty Drangajökull glacier, spilling its water into the fjord and providing some great photo opportunities. Then I retraced my route again and headed for Heydalur and a bit of R&R, to catch up on my trip notes while sipping on a glass of white wine. I will present these drives in four sets, of which one set is fully dedicated to the many sheep I encountered either in small groups or in substantial herds along the way - I definitely met a lot more sheep (in the dozens or hundreds) than human beings (practically none) on this particular day in this quasi-wilderness at the eastern end of the Westfjords.

This first set presents the views on the drive from Holmavik via Drangsnes to Djupavik.

Notes:
My trip introduction in set 1 provides a MAP of the tour plus general information. Please use the link below if you would like to review these:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-667725-1.html

To view earlier posts of this series, access my profile via the link below, then click on the figure behind "# of topics created" for the list of posts:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=45105

Thanks for visiting, I recommend viewing the downloads and look forward to your comments and questions.

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1 - Landscape north of Holmavik

(Download)

2 - Seascape mood at Bjarnarfjördur north of Drangsness

(Download)

3 - Closing in on the narrows

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4 - Driving along treacherous hillsides at left and the waters of Hunafloi bay at right north of Drangsness

(Download)

5 - Small creek with falls at Bjarnarfjördur north of Drangsness

(Download)

6 - Icelandic geese

(Download)

7 - Handpainted signpost to the Svansbud Retreat

(Download)

8 - Coastal landscape predominant in orange and red hues south of Djupavik

(Download)

9 - Coastal landscape south of Djupavik

(Download)

10 - Closing in on the coastal landscape with a flock of sea birds

(Download)

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Thanks for sharing your interesting travels. Great images and commentary. Stan

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you Stan for your kind comment - glad you enjoyed this set - wishing you a good day - Joe

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you Bill - glad you enjoyed this set - wishing you a great day - Joe

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

All very good, Joe, but #2 steals your show!

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you Mike - glad to hear that you value this rather moody shot the most - enjoy your day - Joe

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Magnificent images here, Joe and a delightful narrative!!

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you Jim for your very kind comment - enjoy your evening! Joe

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Another great set, Joe. I've never seen Icelandic Geese before. How long is the tourist season there without getting into driving on ice and snow?

Umnak Loc: Mount Vernon, Wa.

A very colorful and fun set Joe! That hand painted sign is very interesting but I'm not so sure about following signs that look like that!
Rob

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you Chief for your kind comment. The main season seems to run from May to September, as I indicated in my opening set (post #1) I used Hey Iceland and they offer a plethora of self-drive tours - and driving for an ace like you that lives on the road would absolutely be no problem. I would suggest you google "Hey Iceland" and have a look at their offerings - would also suggest not to do it in too hurried a trip and do the ring road around the entire island including the Westfjords, where we are just getting into now. You can take one of their standard routes or do a tailor-made tour with adding extra time where you would find it beneficial. Great country, great trip. Have a good evening - Joe

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you very much Rob for appreciating these - have no fear, a rustic hand-painted sign means probably that you get a rustic unique experience as well! Have to admit though, I didn't follow that sign, but not because of mistrust but because I had sufficient other detours on my plate for that day! Enjoy your evening - Joe

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

More great views, Joe. #2 is really outstanding in my opinion.

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you Ken - really appreciate your input - have a good evening - Joe