Snowed in, Iceland

This week winter officially began here in Iceland. While it is unseasonal to have much snow at all in October, this year we are expecting a very harsh winter. The current snow depth outside my apartment is approaching a metre, which makes walking about very difficult (and wet) indeed. You soon get used to carrying a dry pair of socks with you when you step out of the house - not to mention waterproof pants, boots, gloves, a scarf, a beanie and ya jacket.

This week heralded the official start of winter

Soizic lost her car in the Hólar car park

With there being so much snow, activity levels are severely restricted. You are simply unable to drive anywhere when the snow drifts across the road - or if the snow eats your car. Sadly, things can only be expected to get worse. Take a look at what's going to happen over the coming months.

Date	Sunrise	Sunset	Day Length
Today	08:56	17:08	8:12
+1 day	08:59	17:04	8:05
+1 week	09:20	16:43	7:23
+2 weeks	09:46	16:18	6:32
+1 month	10:45	15:27	4:42
+2 months	11:47	14:52	3:05
+3 months	10:36	16:27	5:51
+6 months	04:53	21:42	16:49

I just don't know if the three hours of quote unquote "light" that we can expect around Christmas is going to be enough for me. Still, you do get the odd day when the sun comes out and the place looks truly beautiful. On the upside however, the hill here in 'The Krok' as it is affectionately known, is due to open for skiing and boarding this weekend. Looks like the shred is on in what promises to be truly epic pow pow.

Sauðákrókur Harbour after a decent dusting

Absolutely everything is frozen

As you might expect, the weekend was spent largely indoors - with plenty of Faxe Premiums (the cheapest beer available at NZ$2.70/500ml) to keep us company. Watching the weekly Handball match on Saturday afternoons has become somewhat of an institution for me and Dan. Sipping our balcony cooled beers we insult players for being overly flamboyant for what is, after all, just a game for kids. The only time we might sample something resembling a decent beer is at Beer Club, where the amber liquid is sold at cost. The cheapest option available - Moosehead (a Canadian brew) - is still NZ$5/335ml. In an act of defiance against the Arctic Winter I only drink beer with a summer variety on offer. Moosehead's deliciously named Summer Ale is a personal favourite - and you know its always going to be cold.

Move it or lose it - literally

Verið Station gets snowed on