[Visit to Iceland by Ida Pfeiffer]@TWC D-Link book
Visit to Iceland

CHAPTER VIII
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It is difficult to say whether the boldness or the stupidity of the peasants induces them to choose such localities for their dwellings.
From the mountains many rivers flow into the lake, and form beautiful falls.

This might only have been the case at that time, because it was raining incessantly, and the water poured down from all sides, so that the mountains seemed embroidered with silver threads.

It was a beautiful sight; but I would willingly have relinquished it for a day of sunshine.
It is no trifle to be exposed to such a shower-bath from morning till night; I was wet through, and had no hope for better weather, as the sky was clouded all round.

My perseverance was nearly exhausted; and I was on the point of relinquishing the purpose of my journey,--the sight of the highest Norwegian waterfall,--when it occurred to me that the bad weather was most favourable for my plan, as each drop of water would increase the splendour of the waterfall.
After three hours and a half's rowing we reached Haukaness-am-See, where it is usual to stop a night as there is a pretty farm here, and the distance from the fall is still considerable.
August 27th.
My first care in the morning was the weather; it was unchanged, and the experienced peasants prophesied that it would remain wet.

As I would not return nor wait for better weather, I could only take to my boat again, put on my half-dried cloak, and row on boldly.
The termination of the lake, which we soon reached, was already sufficient to compensate for my perseverance.


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