Iceland:Reykjanes Peninsula :KLEIFARVATN

Now we are going to cross the peninsula - we will drive from the South up in the northeastern direction - from Grindavik to Reykjavik.
The route will take us across the lava flows (what else) and into the vicinity of the largest lake (vatn) on this peninsula.

The lake is settled in a deep volcanic fissure - maybe a kilometer deep. It is surrounded by bizarre rock formations and it is a home to a legend!
A large lake monster lives in this lake! Something related to Lochness of Scotland or Ogopogo of the Okanagan Valley! I have no idea what they called the Icelandic creature - it is just as good to know that it is there! There means in the imagination of many. The world needs elusive, harmless monsters.

Another interesting feature of Kleifarvatn is, that at one point it started to drain out. That was after an earthquake of the year 2000.
The quake must have opened a crack in the bottom of the lake resulting in the escape of water and for nearly a decade the lake level was diminishing. Then, in 2008,  it stopped as if someone plugged the sink. Maybe the monster had enough and swept some rocks into the bottom to keep its lake from draining out. 
In any case - the water levels seem to have stabilized and with all that rain have even bounced back to the pre-2000 level.

To a geologist the lakeside must fell like a textbook. To the rest of us ....it is a place of many shapes and subtle colours. It is an eerie environment - it feels like being on another planet.

 Except for the heavy machinery that is upgrading the twisting, undulating road. 

Someone in cyberspace stated that this road is used a lot for shooting car commercials. Well, it would not be our rental car anyone would like to see driving madly on these roads. 
Besides - would it not be a shame not to take our time and observe.

These plants shone in the rocky plane like two vivid lanterns. They were in  a lowland at the end of the lake; perhaps to please the monster on a full moon's night. No, don't worry - I am just being silly. It feels good to finally spot a bit of colour in that monotone land. 
Back to Earth so to speak.

Rock Lady's Mantle     (perhaps Alchemilla wichurae)

Sea-campion      (Silene acaulis)