The day has been warm and sunny, but there was a light snowfall this morning and, as I made my way home from the humour festival, the ice crunched underfoot in the frost. Strangely enough, it didn’t feel cold, but that reminded me how inured I have become to the climate here.
Time to reflect on what I have accomplished in my time here, and what I have left undone. I have not travelled as far or experienced so many things as I might have done. I realise now that I should have undertaken more journeys in August, September and October, when the roads were clear of snow. On the other hand, I was very much engaged in working with the Icelandic Museum of Sorcery & Witchcraft in that period and helped to keep it open in a two-week period when it would otherwise have been closed. I have learned the basics of Icelandic to the level where I was able to give a little ‘goodbye’ speech this evening without planning or assistance. I have produced a decent piece of research on Icelandic magic – decent enough to deserve the award of Fellowship in my Gild – with the prospect of further research in the future. I have seen, and revelled in, great blizzards of snow and mighty gales, howling the name of High One in invocation as I stood, ice-crusted, on the hillside. I have hunted the elusive ptarmigan in the frost at 1,000 feet above sea level as the light declined in November. I have seen a Merlin chase and take a Snow Bunting, and glimpsed whales in the fjord while out walking and even from my window. I have seen the awe-inspiring Northern Lights on many occasions, thereby fulfilling a life ambition. Last, but not least, I have made many new acquaintances and forged or renewed some lasting bonds of friendship. Maðr er manns gaman.
Now I look ahead with joy to an uncertain future. If you were wondering about the jaunty tune that has been in my head, you can find it via this link. It sums up my mood and I find the words at the beginning appropriate: “The bird is flightless... it’s not going anywhere”. Iceland will still be here for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZVN5Y6dtOk