Completed the Golden Circle

We're back at Reykjavik which means we've completed the Golden Circle road around Iceland, with a few detours. Big drive again north to south via the west.
Horse show and lunch at Gauksmyri farm - 5 gaited Icelandic horse, normal horses have 4. The extra gait is calld "Tolt", it has no English translation.
They are 14 hands high but DON'T  call them ponies!! Lots of different colours due to ancient genetic make up. Come from the viking era and originate from Shetland pony, Scottish Highland Pony and Mongolian horse
Icelandic horse, like the cow, not allowed back in if gone out of country therefore they choose carefully the ones to go overseas to compete because they have to be sold there. Therefore also no Icelandic horse championships can be held in  Iceland. They're held elsewhere.

Sheep farm, Bjarteyjarsandur, -1600 sheep, 600 ewes. Most other farms 450 ewes. No predators here. Go into mountains  in May/June then herd them up (muster) September. Lamb in April. Natural mating plus AI about 100 ewes. In winter house them. Slaughter them 4-5 months old as lamb, after that it's called something else. House in October,  shear in November. Muster every 2 weeks for about 3 times. Old law means sheep can graze anywhere. One man in area "King of the Mountain" looks for and organises mustering. This farmer is King.
Icelandic sheep have 2 layers of wool, white wool more valuable so separate. Shear twice a year. He shears own sheep.
Delicious late afternoon tea- smoked lamb, cheese and blueberry pancake. Then, a beautiful song by sister-in-law. Goose bumps and had women nearly in tears.Read more