SIGLUFJÖRÐUR..
I’m home now and my journey along route 76 into the very north of Iceland seems like a distant but very special memory. Winding through tunnel after tunnel taking the road beneath the mountains I was beginning to wonder if we would ever arrive at the tiny fishing village of Siglufjörður, Northeast, Iceland but arrive we did and what a treat it was.
Sigló, as it’s affectionately known by the locals, is Iceland’s most northerly town and clings precariously to the foot of steep mountain walls which enclose an isolated narrow fjord on the very edge of Iceland. The Arctic Circle is just 25 miles away and you’re as far north here as Canada’s Baffin Island and central Alaska. I only know this now. At the time I wondered why it had become decidedly frosty. Emerging from the final tunnel, the outside temperature had dipped well below freezing for the first time in Iceland; the hire car’s audible alert to the sudden drop dinged quietly every few minutes as we began to explore the deserted streets.
The town seemed preserved in ice. Frost glistened from every surface. The brightly lit Christmas decorations strung between the streetlights were motionless. It was deathly quiet. The only movement we saw was a young guy, clearly enjoying the icy roads as he put his pick-up through a series of spins before disappearing, no sight nor sound as we passed the spot where he’d been, the only evidence being the tyre tracks in the thick frost. We proceeded at the requisite 35km speed limit, the only sound, apart from the ding of the outside temperature warning gizmo, the characteristic sound of metal studded tyres on the tarmac. Outside the town limits I accelerated the car and found a place to stop. As my eyes adjusted to the light and I fumbled with tripod and camera, the light show became evident..
24mm f/2.8 ISO 150 sec. ISO-100
I’ve now lots of pictures to go through which will be keeping me busy for the next few weeks at least. I’ve had the most amazing trip and enjoyed some fabulous photography. I’m now planning my next trip. The least inhabited destination in Europe meant it was going to be a hit before I left. Just what a huge impact being in the wilderness and not seeing another soul for hours and hours would have on me personally, at a very deep elemental level, I hadn’t bargained for and coming from the ridiculously over-crowded place that the UK is now, I suspect it was all the more so.
Watch this space for more images of Iceland over the coming weeks. I often say it but probably have never meant it quite as much as I do now – I hope you enjoy the images as much as I’ve enjoyed taking them. :-)
Cornwall Photographic 
This is soooooo beautiful! That’s the dream ;-) Thank you!
November 28, 2014 at 5:43 pm
You’re very welcome Melanie, thank you! :-)
November 28, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Wow.
. . . just . . . wow.
November 28, 2014 at 5:44 pm
:-)
November 28, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Wonderful images coming from this trip. Over the top beautiful, and your words are well woven. To experience yourself, isolated and on an elemental level sounds transcendental and significant. Lucky man.
November 28, 2014 at 5:44 pm
It was an experience that had me completely choked up on so many occasions Mike. Beautiful doesn’t begin to describe it. Thank you. :-)
November 28, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Lovely photo this. By the way, next time you crave for open spaces and desolation without people, away from the stress of UK, check out Finland and especially our Lapland.
November 28, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Thank you Jere! Finland is very much on my list of places I would love to visit. I have a taste for it now.. :-)
November 28, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Magnif, no words for!
November 28, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Thank you Ellen!
November 28, 2014 at 6:04 pm
A stunning image. Must have been quite an experience to watch and photograph such an Aurora. As must the whole Iceland experience have been. Look forward to seeing more of your photos, Adrian.
November 28, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Thank you so much Otto. I have long wanted to visit Norway since I made some very good Norwegian friends at university in Scotland. Iceland came first simply because of the cheap flights from Bristol. Having experienced Iceland, I would love to experience Norway all the more. I know that you share many things with Iceland. It is a magnificent country! :-)
November 28, 2014 at 6:40 pm
Just let me know when you come – and we could meet up somewhere. :-)
November 28, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Thank would be superb Otto. I will most certainly let you know. :-)
November 28, 2014 at 6:51 pm
Fan-tas-tic!
November 28, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Thank you Sue! :-)
November 28, 2014 at 6:40 pm
You are most welcome!
November 28, 2014 at 6:42 pm
:-)
November 28, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Fabulous – what a spectacle!
Having grown up in the sticks in South Africa, coming to England was something of a culture shock. I love wilderness, distant horizons, enormous skies and time on my own feeling in tune with the natural world – so I understand exactly what you mean!
November 28, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Thank you Noeline. I would imagine it would have been quite a culture shock. I too love the big skies as you’ll see from some of the posts coming up! :-)
November 28, 2014 at 6:41 pm
Hi, really super photograph x x x mum dad
Sent from my iPad
>
November 28, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Thank you Mum, Dad! :-)
November 28, 2014 at 6:51 pm
Wow…..just brilliant Adrian…..can’t wait to see your other photos and I’m glad you had a great time.
November 28, 2014 at 7:00 pm
Thank you Mark! It really was a very special trip!
November 28, 2014 at 7:19 pm
I recognize what’s in your words; it’s breathtaking out there; and the photo as well, Adrian. See you!
November 28, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Thank you Harrie! Yes it is, breathtaking! :-)
November 28, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Amazing… bet you’ll be reliving those marvelous memories for some time to come!
November 28, 2014 at 7:32 pm
I will indeed Gunta! Thank you! :-)
November 28, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Fantastic image, Adrian. I can’t imagine actually being under that emerald sky. What a trip you and your camera had. I look forward to seeing more of your photos, when you’ve had a chance to sort through them.
November 28, 2014 at 7:49 pm
Thank you Sylvia. The sorting will keep me busy for a while I think but a very pleasant chore! :-)
November 29, 2014 at 8:57 am
Stunning. I look forward to seeing the rest of them!
November 28, 2014 at 8:04 pm
Thank you! :-)
November 28, 2014 at 10:08 pm
What an absolutely breathtaking shot, not to mention experience and adventure for you!
November 28, 2014 at 8:04 pm
Thank you Patti, it’s been brilliant! :-)
November 29, 2014 at 8:55 am
I really enjoy your blog, but this one especially as Iceland has always fascinated me. We intend to visit one day, but still a few years away. Living in Australia the cost will be quite high. I just hope you post a gazillions images, of Iceland and your trip, can’t wait to see them all. Well done.
November 28, 2014 at 9:13 pm
Thank you Wendy! It is quite a trek from Oz that’s for sure. I hope you make it. :-)
November 29, 2014 at 8:55 am
Just beautiful, sublime aurora! relatively short time to pose! brightness must be good! well done
November 28, 2014 at 9:23 pm
Thank you Patrick. The key to capturing so my light in so short a time, well two and a half minutes, was having the aperture set to f2.8. The Nikkor 24-70 is a fast lens allowing such a wide aperture. :-)
November 28, 2014 at 10:11 pm
Words fail me! I shall just lose myself in this photo for a while……… *sigh*
November 28, 2014 at 9:25 pm
Such a lovely compliment, thank you Sarah! :-)
November 28, 2014 at 10:34 pm
I really did too :-)
November 28, 2014 at 11:01 pm
:-)
November 29, 2014 at 8:53 am
Over so soon? Doesn’t time fly. Another wonderful image of one of nature’s most extraordinary phenomenons. Can’t wait to see what else you have captures, Adrian
November 28, 2014 at 10:04 pm
I know Andy, it was all over so soon so I’ve just booked my next trip.. There’s a lot more I want to see. :-)
November 28, 2014 at 10:33 pm
oh, this is beautiful. i was going to travel there this past fall, but fell ill and was unable to go. hope to go there someday soon.
can’t wait to see more!
November 28, 2014 at 10:49 pm
I hope you make it very soon Kerri! Thank you! :-)
November 29, 2014 at 8:53 am
Ijsland staat op mijn lijstje voor volgend jaar .Prachtig.Ik kijk al uit naar volgende posts.
November 28, 2014 at 11:58 pm
Ik kijk ernaar uit om uw foto’s Lou! :-)
November 29, 2014 at 8:52 am
So beautiful Adrian! A sight to behold. I guess your next trip won’t be to India then?
November 29, 2014 at 12:29 am
I guess not Marina! Thank you! :-)
November 29, 2014 at 8:53 am
Oh, my God… This is beautiful
November 29, 2014 at 2:51 am
It is indeed Rajiv, Thank you!
November 29, 2014 at 8:54 am
INCREDIBLE…you are have made me begin making plans to travel to Alaska in February to see the Northern Lights ~ super shots!
November 29, 2014 at 8:06 am
I can’t wait to see your pictures Randall! :-)
November 29, 2014 at 8:54 am
waw! cooool!
November 29, 2014 at 8:58 am
It was Dominik! :-)
November 30, 2014 at 8:43 am
Startlingly beautiful ChillB .. one can’t see such a sight and not be overwhelmed …. it must have been hard to drag yourselves away from this surreal performance .
What a treat we are in for here … I know there are oodles more super pictures to come .. you mind that screen doesn’t burn out ;-)
November 29, 2014 at 9:19 am
Thank you Poppy! I wished I hadn’t had such a long drive ahead of me. We could have stayed longer.. Next time ;-)x
November 30, 2014 at 8:43 am
it tops my wish list
November 29, 2014 at 10:22 am
I hope you get your wish! :-)
November 30, 2014 at 8:41 am
I cannot imagine witnessing that bit of wonderfulness for myself…incredible.
November 29, 2014 at 2:00 pm
What an awesome sight!
November 29, 2014 at 9:58 pm
It was indeed Pat!
November 30, 2014 at 8:41 am
Absolutely stunning photo, Adrian!! WOW. I really look forward to see more from your Iceland trip :D
November 30, 2014 at 2:42 pm
Thank you Camilla! :-)
November 30, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Awesome photo, – my town, Trondheim have had a lot of Aurora the last month.
November 30, 2014 at 7:48 pm
Thank you Hans. It must be lovely to be able to see the Aurora so regularly!
November 30, 2014 at 8:41 pm
Yes it is. But because of the light from the city it is very difficult to take good pictures…
November 30, 2014 at 8:51 pm
Light pollution is a big problem..
December 1, 2014 at 7:58 am
This is an incredible amazing shot !!! I miss Iceland so much *__*
December 1, 2014 at 11:19 am
Thank you very much! I miss it too! :-/
December 1, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Beautiful photos – I’m so desperate to see it myself one day!
December 1, 2014 at 12:39 pm
I hope you do Liv, thank you!
December 1, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Absolutely extraordinary! Wow!
December 1, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Thank you Elena, it was quite a sight! :-)
December 1, 2014 at 8:37 pm
No words could match it! Stunning. Another trip: yes!!
December 6, 2014 at 6:37 pm
Thanks again Lynn.. Yes, definitely! :-)
December 6, 2014 at 9:46 pm
Surreal and stunning!
December 11, 2014 at 6:06 pm
Thank you again Karen! This was a first for me, the northern lights, and an absolute delight. :-)
December 11, 2014 at 7:18 pm