Skagaströnd residency 2020: On route to Skagaströnd

Monday February 3rd

I’ve arrived at Skagaströnd after a journey that passed through everything snow-covered - mountains, land, houses, roads and tracks leading into a white wilderness.

Drifts that seem to hang in the air, frozen in time. At one point, we disappear into a long tunnel under the mountains to emerge into an even whiter world. The sun, when it finally emerges, shines pale and low and weak just above the mountains.

The bus winds its way through a landscape that seemed pretty desolate, a few hamlets here and there. I’ve no idea how they make a living out here and whether they find it a lonely life, but I guess it’s what you are used to. There are a few sheep and a few more Icelandic ponies, but I can’t imagine they bring in much revenue.

Hard blackness of the rock against the white snow; rock worn by the action of wind and weather, it's a volcanic area.

Every so often the bus makes a stop and someone gets off and disappears into the snow.

A stop enroute

Having reached Blönduós we disembark and are packed into a car for the last few miles down snow roads and finally make it into Skagaströnd. Behind the village sits the Spákonufell Mountain. I think at this time of year I’m probably not going to be able to get to the top to enjoy the views described by the tourist book.

Spákonufell Mountain

I check into my room and go out - down to the sea. I walk along the shore close the the studio which sits beside the sea, so I can hear the waves every time I go outside.

The sea moves sluggishly, pancake ice forming close to the shore. A steel grey band on the horizon and an increasing darkening sky. Maybe more snow coming in.

So this is where I’m going to be for the next month