TOO WINDY FOR VIDEY!!

Videy Day

 

The Harpa

After a leisurely morning we were off to the oldest city pool in Reykjavik for a morning swim. Sundhöll Reykjavíkur or the Swimming Palace, as it would be directly translated to English, is the oldest pool in Iceland and was built in 1937 & proudly designed by Guðjón Samúelson, state architect. “Sundhöllin” is located right in the heart of Reykjavik, only a few minutes walk from Hallgrímskirkja church. Originally an indoor pool until 2017 when several outdoor pools were added.

We then drove to the ferry terminal for the Videy Ferry. During the winter there is only ferry service on Saturday and Sunday.

We arrived to learn the winds were too strong for the ferry to operate. Earlier this year the floating dock on Video had been damaged by high winds. Videy is worth a visit if you can get there.

Videy island covers 0.7 square miles; its highest point is 105 feet above Sea Level. The island is divided by a narrow piece of land creating the West Island, East Island and the largest Home Island. The island has a rich bird life with about 30 species breeding here. The well-vegetated island has areas of bog, grey basalt on the West Island and eastern shore and at least 156 species of plants.

The island has archaeological remains dating back to the early 10th century and was the site where the "father of Reykjavík" Skuli Magnusson constructed his home and a church in the 12th century.  Now there is a coffee shop inside the house. From 1225 to 1539 an Augustine Monastery was established on the island. There is a deserted village on the island, as the island's last inhabitants left in 1943.

The Imagine Peace Tower is located on the island. It is a "Tower of Light" envisioned and built by Yoko Ono. "The tower is a beam of light, radiating from a wishing well bearing the words "imagine peace" in 24 languages. The plan is for it to be lit each year between John Lennon’s birthday, October 9, and the anniversary of his death December 8.”

Charles Lindbergh visited the island when he was planning his flight across the Atlantic.

Next it was off to the local flea market which is only open on the weekends. Here is where better prices can be found on many local items.

Then a late lunch at Reykjavik Street Food, a local place for the lamb soup.

Then happy hour at the Rabbit before calling it a night. 

 Here is how they plow the sidewalks in Reykjavik. 

Run hot water under the sidewalk, met the snow. 

Pretty KEWL or I should say HOT!