The little things, Iceland

When it's the middle of winter outside you begin to appreciate the little things that make the cold dark times a bit more fun. You might think in Iceland that means trolls and elves but I refer of course to friends, partying and fish (for some people not necessarily in that order). Fortunately this week our slightly eccentric German friend we all know and love as Sonja decided to turn "twenty something" this week just to break the monotony of daily living. With the promise of a small shindig and plenty of very cold ones on offer a car load of hopefuls set off south to a small town near Varmahlið.

The hostess with the mostess ... Sonja

As with any good event, thanks must be given to "the ladies in the kitchen who put on such a lovely spread for us here today". Sonja really outdid herself with the catering and could literally have fed the Marist Old Boys Saturday arvo post game style. While I gorged myself on meatballs, pastry whatsits, chocolate stuff and some kind of cake thing the other guests were issuing happy birthdays all over the place.

Bjarni and Cat watch on as Dan mauls Sonja

Condolences for another year lost

Presents!

With most of the food dispatched shortly after my arrival the Jaggermeister took a beating courtesy of Catherine Chambers. She doubtless had accomplices but they need not be named, and I've already admitted eating all the food.

Cat slipperying in another Jaggie without being noticed

As with any story staring with Jagger, I can't really remember how it all ended up except to say that I woke up safely in my own house. And with that piece of good news ... let me move on the the fish. I stumbled across this half frozen monstrosity outside of the office the other day. You will remember it from here and probably more memorably from here as the disgustingly aromatic Hárkarl that adorns the table at þórrablot. I figure they must just be letting this one get a little more inedible than usual seeing as the festival was only a few weeks ago ... or they've never heard the phrase "be a tidy kiwi".

A Greenland Shark festering in it's own deep sea marinade

Seeing (and more seriously smelling) this fish made me glad that I work with a much more photogenic species. This is an Arctic charr that is being raised in the aquaculture station where I work. I like to help out with the routine measuring and stuff every month or so just and pretend I'm back on the Waitawheta or Esk and have just bagged myself a nice Rainbow on a tasty little dry fly. Dah. Hey - it passes the time OK. Don't judge me for being a fisherman.

A trophy to be sure, but I'm all about catch and release