The Blue Lagoon

After days of being chilled to the bone, bounced in the saddle, and exhausted after climbing volcanoes, James is more than a little relieved to be able to slip into the steaming mineral waters of the Blue Lagoon. Ahhhhhh.... bliss.

Rakel - One of Iceland's Top Riders

Rakel Kristinsdottir is only 13, but already she has competed in - and won - some Iceland's biggest horse shows. This is one of several horses she owns. Her sister, 15 year-old Hekla, is just as talented. Both girls braved blustery weather to give us a wonderful demonstration of their riding skills.

Reykjavik

 

James and Leifur Eiriksson

Filming in Reykjavik at the feet of Leifur Eiriksson.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula

The scenery just doesn't get much better than this... anywhere. 

Shaefellsnes Peninsula

 

Guest Chef

James makes friends wherever he goes - not just because he's a super nice guy, but because he's also an excellent chef! Here he is, making himself at home in Johanna's kitchen!

Lysuholl Farm

Here, our hosts Agnar Gestsson and Johanna Asgeirsdottir provide us with excellent accommodation in their guest cottages and fine riding along the beach on some of their lovely horses.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula

From the excitement of the round-up in the north, we head for the tranquil beauty of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. 

 

Everyone has lots of fun visiting with friends, checking out the new horses. 

The sorting, auction, and riding demonstrations continue even after the weather turns nasty... 

But eventually, all the horses get sorted out.  

Things can get pretty confusing in the sorting pen.

Once the horses have breen brought down from the mountains, they are sorted out into pens owned by various farmers.

Round-up!

Each summer, horses are turned out into summer pastures up in the mountain valleys. By the time the snow flies at the end of the season, the horses are good and ready to come back to their farms where they will be pampered during the long winter. 

Hvammur Farm

Haukur Suska-Gartharsson is our host during our stay in the north. While waiting in the barn for a truck to come and pick up the horses (that will be used during the round-up the following day), we are entertained by Haukur's talented soccer-playing dog.

Yeah - It's Cold Up Here!

James near the top of the volcano.

North of Reykjavik

On our way to the horse round-up in the north, we discover a couple of volcanoes at the side of the road. Hiking up in the howling wind, James is reminded just how much he misses the jacket he left at a farm near Hekla while interviewing one of the Mountain Kings.

Home Sweet Sod-Covered Home

The bunkhouse at Hekluhestar, a sheep farm not far from the Hekla volcano.

Gullfoss

Certainly the biggest waterfall we encounter in Iceland! Gullfoss tumbles into a gorge a mile long. Spectacular! 

Host, James Hillman

James Hillman during a break in filming.

Strokkur

Filming beside a geyser presents a challenge.














It's a testament to the sensible nature of the Icelandic Horse that they are so willing to go where their riders ask, even when that means enduring the terrifying blast and spray of Strokkur, one of the most famous geysers in Iceland.

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park

Bjork and Svanur unloading one of the horses at Thingvellir National Park. This is the place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet.