In Akureyri, temperatures rarely creep above freezing in winter and only make it into the low teens in summer. Snow often arrives in September and lasts until May. But the family is living in a much larger and well-heated house provided by the local council, with a kitchen, living room and four bedrooms.. Their rent is covered for the first year and the council also pays child benefit. They were disappointed not to find their preferred flatbread in the local supermarket. “But this is not a big problem,” said Mr Al Mohammad. “We are open-minded.” He even said he was prepared to try herring, adding: “The things we have tasted up to now are good.”