How it all began – the KING EIDER family story
The sun was setting over the Breiðafjörður islands, casting a warm orange glow over the lush green landscape and the blue sea. The family was moving from Reykjavík to Stykkishólmur. Friðrik, the father, had finished his medical studies and started working at the hospital in Stykkishólmur.
Few years later the family had the opportunity to buy islands in Breiðafjörður along with some other families. It’s indeed a significant investment for young people to buy islands, especially when they’re just starting a family. It’s a big responsibility and a lot of work to maintain the islands and take care of the Eider ducks. Several families came together to buy the islands, which made it more manageable and feasible for everyone involved. It’s a great example of community and cooperation.
Now it is almost 50 years since the family started taking care of the Eider ducks and collecting Eiderdown in the island, and they’ve built a strong tradition of taking care of the land and the wild birds. It’s not just a financial investment, but also an emotional and spiritual one.
It’s beautiful to see how the family has grown and thrived over the years, and how they’ve continued to pass down their traditions and values to future generations.
As the years went by, the family grew and so did their love for the islands. The first years, they traveled to the islands by wooden boat, which took about 1-2 hours each way. The children would sit on the deck, watching the sea and the islands go by. Nowadays, they use plastic boats with powerful engines, and it takes about 30-60 minutes to get to the islands.
The family usually spends 3-4 weeks in the islands during June, taking care of the wild Eider ducks and collecting Eiderdown. It’s wonderful to be there, the children playing with their parents and grandparents. The third generation is now mostly grown up and the fourth generation is starting to take their first steps.
The children help with taking care of the wild ducklings that get lost from their mothers, give them food and water, and making sure they don’t get cold and hungry. They also teach them how to navigate the sea and find food on the shore. The children love going out with the ducklings for swimming in the sea. Everyone is happy both the children and the ducklings.
Collecting eiderdown is a time-consuming work. The family only goes collecting when the weather is good and dry. They take breaks to walk on the islands, enjoying the beautiful scenery and fresh air. Taking care of the Eiders is a labor of love, but it’s also a wonderful experience.
The family has been doing this for generations, and it’s a tradition that they cherish dearly. As they sit on the deck of their boat, watching the sun set over the islands, they know that this is where they belong. This is where their hearts are.
As they head back to their homes, they can’t help but feel grateful for this life they’ve built. They know that it’s not easy, but it’s worth it. They’re proud of what they’ve accomplished, and they know that they’ll continue to thrive in this beautiful place.
Years have gone by, and the family continued to grow and thrive. The children grew up and started their own families. The fourth generation is now taking the first steps to help with taking care of the ducklings. The tradition continues.