Now that the days are rapidly getting longer and the warmth of the sun increases, winter finally seems to be in retreat. The daytime temperature is above freezing for the first time in weeks and most of the snow has melted. Yesterday I took a walk in the hills and found, after an initial stiff climb, that I could dispense with the sweater, hat and gloves. It was still only +5C, but it felt almost tropical after a month of frost. The marked path was still covered in snow in many places but it was no trouble to find the cairn at the summit; just a matter of carrying on heading upward! Having got there, I poured offerings of wine and beer for the Aesir, the Vanir and the wights of the land. If you think I look hardy in my T-shirt, you should have seen a couple of children in the village somewhat earlier. They had been playing among the snow and meltwater in bare feet and wearing only light clothing!
The school in Hólmavík celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Last Friday evening, the present teachers and pupils put on a show at the community centre to celebrate. The show illustrated, with acts and songs, the development of the school, its pupils and staff over the past century. A canvas backdrop showed Hólmavík as it looked around the time when the first schoolhouse was built. Iceland´s first education act was passed in 1907, when the village was still very young and Iceland was still a province of Denmark (although the country had gained Home Rule in 1904). The 1904 Act obliged children to attend school from the age of 10 to 14. Full-time education is compulsory from 6 years to 16 these days.