We started with a trip down to the N1 service station at Godfoss to pick up some odds and ends. The N1 service stations are amazing institutions. We have visited 3 today, none of them for fuel. the first at Godfoss has the most amazing view from the toilet windows, see above. It also has a 66North clothing shop, basic provisions and a local crafts section.
The second one at Hofsos seems to be the local community centre, supermarket and hardware shop. They had paint brushes, screwdrivers, pasta and chocolate among several other things. There was also a group of locals passing the time of day at a table in the entrance.
The third here at Varmahlid is a fast food cafe, supermarket and rest area. they all have petrol pumps outside, but you pay with a credit card at the pump so it is almost as if the pumps have nothing to do with the shop.
Anyway I digress. After the service station we went to Ystafell Transport Museum Look here!
This place was amazing, the curator was fantastic and spotted me as a fellow enthusiast. It is the most eclectic and facinating collection of cars I have seen anywhere. The only thing they all have in common is they have been used in Iceland. There were 3 rear engined Skodas, a fantsatic series I Land Rover, 4 Austin Gypsies, a mark 1 Escort and about 100 others. Out the back was a field full of 'future exhibits' and 'spare parts'. Ok it was a field full of scrap, but the museum see the potential.
I must just quote this from their brochure.
"Ingolfur Kristianson was often heard to say 'Never throw anything away, you'll need it the next day' The result is that many things that can not be found anywhere else in Iceland exist at Ystafell"
The many things included a serious collection of hubcaps, some fantastic biscuit tins and a plethora of other 'junk'. Also two halls full of fantastic cars.
After the museum we started on the long drive to Varmahlid. Stopped off in Akureyri to have a wander round, it probably deserves more time but with a 250 km drive in front of us we pressed on. Took the coastal route, which included a fantastic single track tunnel with passing places. the problem of course being, you can't see where the next passing place is, even though they put a white light at the passing place and yellow lights everywhere else. It was fun and we made it to a parking place everytime we needed to, one was a bit close though. Hate to think what happens when the superjeep with a camper trailer meets the man with the caravan though.
Into Varmahlid about 5:00 pm. Checked in, went for a wander, not much to se, this place is just a road junction. Ate in the hotel restaraunt, I had excellent Tandoori Arctic Char, Sharon had Lasagne. Couple of beers, blog and bed. Early night tonight as we are both tired and have another 250k to do tomorrow.
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