Saturday, July 23, 2011

Garden of Eden

Eden Greenhouse in Hveragerdi, Iceland burned yesterday, Fire broke out shortly after midnight on 22 July 2011. The building was a total loss. Bardur Gunnarsson said "it is a sad evening in Hvergerdi. Eden has been serving our people for over fifty years and is gone just like that in a moment of a one evening."
I last visited Eden in 2005, it was closed in 2010 when I was in Iceland. I took the picture below in 2005.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland


Only Heimaey of the 15 Westman Islands is inhabited. The climate in Vestmannaeyjar is some what changeable, and frequently windy. The average temperature in the winter is about 2 C. and in the summer 19.7 C. The Westman Islands are traditionally one of the most imprtant fishing communities in Iceland, with only about 2% of the population of Iceland the islanders are responsible for about 10% of the annual catch.
In the early mourning of 23 January 1973 a volcanic eruption began near Mount Helgafell. Some 400 of the islands 1350 homes were buried under volcanic ash. With several being distoried. Somehow only one life was lost.

Many of the Icelandic emigrants to Utah came from Vestmannaeyjar. Including my own Great Grandfather, Eyjolfur Eriksson. Eyjolfur was born 26 February 1854 at Nyibaer, Holt undir Eyjafjollum, Rangarvalla. He worked as a fisherman and later was a sailor. He moved to Vestmannaeyjar and lived at Holshus in Vestmannaeyjar.
16 July 2011 an exhibit was opened in the library at Vestmannaeyjar honoring the emigrants to Utah. Fred Woods wrote to me; "The opening of the exhibit went so well. The spirit was poured out in great abundance. 86 Icelandic Saints were in attendance. Our dream came true for a permanent museum exhibit at Vestmannaeyjar."
Thanks again for all your help.