Ísafjördur and Bolungarvik

A bonus today, you get two towns in one visit and each vying to show their town and its history. Surrounded by steep mountains dotted with avalanche protection , the two towns sit just below so you can imagine just how steep they are.    
If you build an house outside the avalanche protection ,it is considered to be a summer house (for when the temperature rises above 15 degrees Celsius.)

Ísafjördur and Bolungarvik was  settled by a Norwegian woman, her brother,son and other people who travelled with her. Her name was Helgi Magritte Hrólfson ( try to say that fast) and was believed to have special powers to summon fish. She used this belief and allowed farmers to go fishing  between April and October for the sum of one young sheep. Unfortunately she and her brother fought, cursed each other and got turned into stone…go figure. 
Fishing is the main industry in Bolungarvik. Did you like the traditional fishing houses they have constructed to show this life. I am not sure I would want to sleep in the loft with 13 other unwashed people without heating .  

 

 

 

 

Imagine rowing for 4 days in this to catch whale sharks as long as your boat. It is too big to take on board so take the liver out ( it’s valuable for oil) , stow  it on the boat  and drag the rest with you. Now you have heard the saying, pour oil on trouble water, well that’s what these sailors did. Oil was poured  on the water in really rough conditions so the boat would flow over the waves.

You dress for the job! Sheep skin trousers up o your armpits, topped with a sheep skin tunic tied together with rope. A stylish calf skin hat and foot wraps completes your outfit. Then to make you smell wonderful and water resistant, a nice coating of oil.The rope not only held your clothes together but could also be used to hook you like a fish if you go overboard. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rivalry has always existed between the two towns. Ísafördur is bigger with 3000 people. Bolungarvik is smaller. A campaign was run to increase the population. This consisted of love week…..events to encourage newcomers, family events and family planning. It worked. The town is now a municipality and has 1000 people. Hurrah….no longer linked to Ísafördur.

Did you enjoy the singing? The first song was quite sad but I did like the song about the fly tickling your nose.

       
Skutulsfjordur is a beautiful waterfall just outside Bolungarvik. It is suppose to have healing properties. Mike obligingly climbed to the waters edge and got us some water. I am waiting for it to work……..how about you.
To go between the towns there is a tunnel. Local belief is that during construction of the tunnel, there were a number of unfortunate accidents and unexplained equipment problems. No problems could be identified in a performance review.One member asked if the Trolls and elves were consulted. The answer was no. A ceremony to appease the Trolls and elves took place . Permission was requested and no more problems occurred. Now I can’t verify this……the guide told us.

Back in Ísafjördur  we dragged you off to visit the town with promises of chocolate. It is known for its timber frame houses dating back to 1792. Some have metal cladding to avoid fire hazards.

   

 

This is the old hospital. It is used now as a library and cultural centre. There is a nod to its past as well.  

Don’t the reading rooms look inviting.? You want to sit and enjoy the peace.

 

    Art displays.

    Or historical books.

 

 

 

   Dr.Wolf has a story.A little girl was in hospital for a month. The Doctor’s name translates to wolf, He called his patient’Little red riding hood’.

Although no longer a hospital, this building is still contributing to the welfare of its people.
Since this is a fishing area, there are many nautical references but a few other quirky things as well.

Nothing like a BBQ area suspended by two ropes!

A trampoline…for big kids too.

 

 

A puzzle for you…can you match the winter photos with their summer photos…..and yes you can eat your chocolate.

 

 

How did you go? Life in Iceland would take some getting used to ,I think. Time to relax. We have two days at sea. Shame I didn’t bring knitting needles because I am looking forward to knitting the wool I bought, never mind , I will annoy you instead….backgammon, trivia, you choose.