North to the Vesturland (Westland) District and staying in the small village and port of Stykkisholmur about 200km north of Reykjavik. 

This was our abode for three nights at the Hotel Egilsen, one of the oldest buildings in the place.  It had been fully renovated and refurbished making for a quaint place to stay.  A very good restaurant was the green building across the street immediately behind the hotel.  The term hotel really overstates its status because there was no eatery although a good continental style breakfast was available.

While on the subject of buildings.  The Norwegian  house built in 1832, listed as the first wood-frame house built in Iceland, partially imported from Norway.  Fully restored to its original style.

First stop on a trip around the peninsular west of the settlement was the Shark Museum located on this farm.  It was  in a dedicated modern farm type building and while the core of the display was fishing and particularly a 6m Greenland shark, caught by the family fishermen, the building contained a general history of the farming memorabilia that was the pride and joy of an elderly family member.  As can be seen the farm was also very orderly.

 This church was located some 200m from the farm buildings.  Throughout were well cared for small churches, often close to existing farm complexes and evidence of what usually was a more populated settlement of small farms.

Much of the farmed land is more like this with exposed but usually well kept buildings.

Some land offering extensive summer grazing.

And other land probably better left to nature.

A closer view of land slowly being colonized by plants possibly thousands of years following a volcanic lava flow.

Then another lone former residence stands isolated from its former neighbours.

A little later the indicator of another farm steading (homestead, and farm buildings in a close complex), a group of horses.  All are the Icelandic horse because no others have been or permitted to be imported into Iceland.

Stacks of wrapped balage are also in close proximity to the steading with its associated wintering barn.  Not many animals, except horses, were seen outside during our travels, November-December, being early winter.

There is always one or two who have other ideas about where they should be.  His mates were in paddocks close by the feed shed.  He was in good condition with a shiny coat.

Sheep were also mostly inside, with an odd small flock still outside.  Rams still with the ewes indicating lambing being at a time day length is long and the grass growing.

 As can be guessed from above the sheep are all shades of white to black and in between.

the remains of an old set of stone stock pens, with other associated buildings were noticed.

Some pasture from where balage had been harvested appeared to be of an improved type but closer inspection did not seem to be more than average, but it was winter.

Some land had been cultivated and drained, nearly always associated with hay paddocks.

Then this...

... what may be a modern pasture grass, and still green at this time of year.

Also interesting electric fencing. Plastic type fence posts for electric fencing.  Almost all of the newer fencing seen was of this type.

Also close by Russell Lupin, which was frequently seen in areas being farmed. They were understood to have been introduced to combat erosion.

Trees are almost non existent, however occasional exotic plantings were seen.

 They had started to self seed.  Would they become an unwanted species in the future?  Lupin was also noticed in this same area.

The Hvalfjordur was an area of importance during World War II, with extensive naval installation for both the British and American navies, located about an hour north of Reykjavik.  On the small peninsular in the foreground was the British area.  Only a few concrete foundations remain.  Across the harbour there are well maintained fuel tanks that appear to be in working condition.

Small villages dot the coastline such as Grundarfjofur and Olafsvik, the latter having a very good cafe.

Water pours from every plateau over the cliffs along a volcanic terrace with ice forming from the wind blown spray.

Caution is required crossing a low pass after snow.

Once the traditional building insulated from the cold by turf.  There are extensive peat bogs where such material was readily available.

Interesting natural rock Torres.

 The best of the sun.  Perhaps it did rise behind the cloud just before it set again.

When we arrived back at Stykkisholmur (the hotel port area) some locals were unloading sheep off a boat onto a trailer on the wharf.  Nearly as many men as sheep.

Next morning we woke up to a light fall of snow completing the Christmas look.  Looking out our room window to the Norwegian house shown earlier.

Leaving the Vesturland district.