August 8th

66 13.63N 022 33.57W

The filter change appeared to solve the engine problem and we gave it a full revs test on the way to Leirufjordur where we anchored in 6m good holding at the head of the valley leading to the Drangajokull ice cap. Yesterday, August 9th all the crew except Fi, who’s back was not up to the walk, set off on the 6km trek up to the glacier. The south side of the valley looked easiest. After a shallow water landing and a receding tide Fi dropped us off and then had quite a struggle getting back to to deep water as tide tide fell over the extensive sand flats – but she made it. We trekked alongside the water following marshy, muddy, gravelly patches alongside the water for a couple of kms before reaching a broad area of outwash and moraine where the river from the glacier wound its way via many channels across the broad valley. Above and to our right was a steep, overhung black cliff of hard rock with a jumble of boulders beneath. On closer inspection we found some nice mineral deposits among the multi coloured rock. We climbed higher following a hard band of pale coloured cemented ash which led on to a series of moraine benches over looking the torrent issuing from the glacial cave above. Behind lay the broad valley, vibrant with multi coloured ground hugging arctic mosses, lichens and flowers and in the distance the blue waters of the fjord where Threeships lay at anchor.  A little time later we reached the glacial outflow cave and the end of our journey. The glacier itself was slick with black ice and impossible to step on to without crampons. The way back was long and after a total of 7 hours were happy to tuck into Fi’s delicious supper.