Hypocrisy isn't the only thing that Steams

So much of politics is "Do as I say, not as I do".  The following story caught my eye yesterday:

Never before has so much steaming hypocrisy occupied the White House: Opinion http://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/hypocrisy-white-house-1.4128063 

Iceland .. A Rocky Isle in the Ocean

All I've needed is a couple of days in Iceland to be able to say that I wouldn't recommend it as a biking destination.  Not unless you like pedaling in the howling wind.

I'm also not so sure about tenting, although it could be better during the summer months.

The day we arrived there was some sun but it was cool.  Cold, some might say.  Of course by the time we got off the plane and were issued our rental car, the day was pretty much over.

The next day in Reykjavik was cool but surprisingly calm.  We walked around the city to see the sights.

By afternoon of our third day, we were on our way north to the Snaefellesnas peninsula.  It started off mildly decent but turned into wind-driven rain.  We did see an opening in the rain and cloud to the north-west so we changed course to follow it.  Rocky cliffs, lava fields covered by moss, heather and coarse grass.  Many waterfalls.  By the time we arrived in Olafsvik, it was raining and windy again.

The next morning it was mostly horizontal rain and low cloud.  So we drove around the end of the peninsula.  Every so often there was a break in the rain.  Even the wind died down occasionally.  So we'd get out and walk a short distance.  Take a few pictures.  By early afternoon, the rain was still coming down but the wind seemed to have changed direction.  The seagulls were still standing on the fields facing the wind.  An afternoon nap seemed appropriate.

After a nap, we tried a walk around the neighborhood.  There were times when it was a challenge to stay upright.  We still had horizontal mist to deal with.

By Wednesday morning, there were some signs of clearing to the northwest.  Naturally we drove in that direction.  In an hour, we were at Stykkisholmur, a cute, very neat, little village on the coast, overlooking the Breidafjordur, which could mean the Breida fjord.  One can have trouble knowing with Icelandic.  The sun was out, it was warm and the gale-force winds had disappeared.

Eventually, we continued our circuit of the peninsula, stopping here and there for views, short walks and such.  Through lava fields to the shore, or to climb up an old volcano cone.  The wind there was possibly the strongest I've experienced, even counting southern New Zealand.

We've noticed that beer selection and availability in local grocery stores here is pitiful, compared to Ireland and Denmark.  Today I finally figured out why.  Grocery stores are allowed to sell low alcohol beer.  So some of that is available.  "Real" beer and other alcoholic products are sold at Vinbudin .. literally, the State.  The government liquor store.  It's as bad as Canada.  I checked one out.  Open from 2 pm until 6 pm.  If I see one during office hours, perhaps I'll compare prices.

For a more complete set of pictures from Iceland, try this link