The Surprise

I made it to Reykjavik and although I was excited to be there I was really starting to miss Jonny. I was feeling a little low when one morning Ingunn knocks on my door to tell me I have a package. I didn't suspect anything out of the ordinary because several people knew where I was staying and I was actually waiting for a package that was late. So in a sleepy haze I walked downstairs and through a narrow hallway and waiting for me at the end was my wonderful boyfriend Jonny. I was totally in shock and asked him if he was real, then immediately attacked him with hugs and kisses. It was the best surprise ever.

A Very Special Moment

Not everyone knows this but my lovely boyfriend Jonny has a special relationship with ducks. When he was young he had a pair of pet ducks who followed him around like he was their mother. He cared for the ducks until they were grown and then released them into the wild where they lived happily for years. He always talks about wanting ducks again someday and whenever we see ducks or geese he gets a silly happy look on his face. So that is why this picture is so special. We brought some bread for the ducks in the pond in Reykjavik and it was the greatest thing to see my love completely surrounded by the animal he loves most.

Swans and ducks in the pond in Reykjavik.

This troll seems to be our day excursion mascot.

I like this photo but I'm not sure why.

Some of us enjoying the hot spring at Grettislaug. It was so hot! Oliver, Olivia, Lindsey, and Elizabeth actually jumped in the ocean and then back into the hot pot. Crazies.

Olivia took us to this cliff. Look closely and you'll see a waterfall. This was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

A seal popped up to say hello! I think it was a good omen.

Another drive by shooting :)

Fleur Ball performs at the famous Skagaströnd Kántrýbær. A fantastic fun filled evening.

Northern lights!

We were walking back from the studio after the pot luck and to our surprise the Aurora Borealis decided to pop out and say hello. I didn't have a tripod so these photos are the best I could do while kneeling on the side walk trying to balance my camera and not be blown over by the wind.

Frosty grass.

This morning everything was blanketed in frost.

Swatches.

Where the magic happens.

I don't think it needs to be said that this room smelled really bad.

Atlantic Leather

We made a day trip to Sauðárkrókur yesterday and the lovely people at Atlantic Leather agreed to give us a tour of the factory. At first I was slightly horrified because of all the sheep skins and fish skins laying around but the factory itself is really interesting. Apparently fish skin is used to make high fashion shoes and purses. And the industry is very important to the Icelandic economy. It's funny to see nasty fish skins that will end up as shoes in posh boutiques.

These horses were stuck on an island after the tide came in. Oliver and Diane went to look and said that eventually the horses just had to swim back. It's a good thing there were no waves.

The view from outside the studio.

Nothing like a drive by shooting. This was the least blurry image of the mountain's reflection in the water.