Scrievenis: Gordon Darroch's reading and writing space
Making things up since 1837. Contact me at gordonwrotesomething [at] gordondarroch.com
We didn't know where we were going, and it was for the best. Two common complaints about time are: “If I could turn back the clock …” and “If I knew then what I know now …” Both reflect the fact that wisdom is hard won and tends to arrive with a tinge of regret: … Continue reading Silver wedding
Thursday, July 16 The Svarfadardalur nature reserve. Every turn in Iceland brings a new sensory overload. Travel time: 9 hours (ferry), 4 hours 15 minutes (car) Distance covered: 335km Destination: Dalvik Iceland is a preposterous place in many ways. A huge island thrown up near the Arctic Circle by volcanic ruptures should be bleak and … Continue reading Dad’s gone to Iceland: Day 6
Wednesday, July 15 Shetland, brooding in the morning light Travel time: 24 hours (ferry) Destination: Torshavn & Seyðisfjörður It’s not generally a good thing to be surprised by a lighthouse. But when I wake up at 7am and check the ship’s location app, I discover to my delight that we are right alongside the north … Continue reading Dad’s gone to Iceland: Day 5
Tuesday, July 14 On the open sea Travel time: 48 minutes (car), 13 hours (ferry) Distance covered: 71km Destination: Hirtshals and beyond I must begin by conceding that air conditioning would have been a blessed relief last night, because the room was oppressively hot. I managed to improvise by wedging a fan in an open … Continue reading Dad’s gone to Iceland: Day 4
Monday, July 13 Getting there … in Aalborg Travel time: 8 hours, 18 minutes Distance covered: 758km We set out for the German border at 8.15am, only 15 minutes behind schedule, though it stretches to 25 minutes when I have to go back for my glasses and my eldest son forgets his raincoat. The last … Continue reading Dad’s gone to Iceland: Day 3
This is a travel blog of my 16-day round trip by land and sea with my sons from The Hague to Iceland in July 2026 Saturday, July 11 We are not in Iceland yet! Travel time: 2hrs 33 minutes Distance covered: 228km Location: Emmen (NL) In these days of cheap flights, few destinations can still … Continue reading Dad’s gone to Iceland: Day 1