65:24.25 N, 013:33.71 W

 

The wind did not last us on our mad dash across the top of Iceland, however we made very good progress before it died away. James inspected the vang and decided that a large Galvanised washer we happened to have hanging around might prevent excessive movement. Other than that the parts all appear to be present, it’s just that the vang seems to have play in it’s attachments.

 

The weather has been overcast and raining from time to time. The land mass of Iceland looms in and out in these misty conditions occasionally giving us a clear view of yet more mountains and patches of un-melted snow. Towards evening the wind died somewhat and what there was moved to the South East. As this was more or less the direction we were about to take around the Langanes peninsula we had to roll away the sails and start the engine. This theme continued for pretty much most of the evening/night with the sails in and out and the engine on and off. Still, it kept us nice and warm in the main cabin thanks to the heat exchanger.

 

We had our second meal from the roast Icelandic lamb and switched to solo watches. Overnight the wind obligingly veered round to a bit west of south, freeing us up to come round the Langarnes point and head down towards Glettinganes. We’ve seen just one fishing boat in the last 24 hours but our companions have been the ever present fulmars and we are becoming very familiar with their flight patterns around the boat. In fact we have started speculating on exactly why they shiver their wings on landing (as their feet miraculously appear from some sort of undercarriage position). We think it’s either halting forward motion or shedding lift to allow them to gently drop to the waters’ surface.

 

Peter, we’ve found your leatherman (in a pocket of your rucksack). No gloves found yet ‘tho. The wind is now WSW and a force 4 and today we will need to decide if we spend tonight in Iceland or head south east for the Faeroes immediately. We need to call in to Seydisfjordur which is only 10 miles ahead now to clear customs for leaving.

 

 

Mountains and clouds above the Glettinganes.