The other day I was driving along Miklabraut, a main feed to downtown Reykjavik, when suddenly a Fokker 50 shot overhead, so close that I could see the passengers. It was headed for nearby...very nearby...Reykjavik Airport originally constructed by the British at the start of WW II. Since then the city has grown up around the airport, and it’s supposed to move either to the international one at Keflavik some 50 kilometers away or to a site just outside town. The modest building is home to Flugfelag Islands which serves Iceland, the Faeroe Islands and Greenland, rather crumby, barely altered in all the years since I’ve been coming to Iceland. By reason of the airport’s current location, the city and nearby University of Iceland will grab the property asap.

Today I return to work at 2pm, having had 4 days off as I do once every six weeks or so. The only problem is that I must work through the weekend into the next week but never found it that difficult.

While driving to Þorthakshofn to get the ferry I took the road which branches off the southern route to the eastern part of the country. Like all roads in Iceland, it’s in fine shape but elevated as high as two meters. Reason: to allow snow to blow over without accumulating. Volcanic material is much easier to handle compared to other soil, hence no problem at creating these mounds. Nevertheless, I find such roads a bit scary, especially when a vehicle comes the other way and even more so when it’s windy. I have the feeling that I’m going to drive off the edge and hit jagged rocks and boulders.

Several days ago a Lutheran priest gave some interviews on tv and radio saying that the National Church of Iceland join the Catholic Church. Too early to get a response, but that seems a bit much to say it outright! One thing I know: Icelanders and many clergy here always have had sympathy towards things Catholic. I hope this priest’s statement doesn’t upset that. By the way, the priest hails from þorlaukshofn where you get the Westmann ferry, one of the most God-forsaken places around. Hope living there didn’t inform his statements!