Iceland - Vik

Vik, with a population of 300, is also the wettest village in all of Iceland. Per wikipedia, Vik also lies directly downstream from the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which itself is on top of the Katla volcano. If (and very likely when) Katla erupts, it is likely that the glacial run-off obliterate everything in the village except for the church which sits on the hill. Thus, the village of Vik has periodic volcanic drills to practice getting to the church at the first sign of an eruption.

The black basalt columns are called Reynisdrangar


In the Vik gift store, we could watch Icelandic clothing manufacturing in progress.

Iceland - Animals

Icelandic horses (NOT ponies) - It is a major faux-pas to refer to Icelandic horses as "ponies" but it is OK to acknowledge that they are very cute.












Icelandic sheep - The inner fibres are fine, soft, and highly insulating. The outer fibres are long, glossy, and water-repellent. Icelandic literature claims that Icelandic sheep have been isolated from other breeds for over a thousand years and therefore they are one of the purest breeds in the western world.


We saw reindeer just as we drove away from Jokulsarlon.

Iceland - Skeidararsandur

A very bleak landscape - about 1000 square metres of black sand between a glacier and the sea.

Iceland - Skaftafell National Park

Although the scenery in Skaftafell National Park is dramatic, the wildflowers were the highlight for us.

Rae Ann and Rich started their crusade to try to get their picture in the travel section of their local newspaper by taking a picture with and without the newspaper.


In Skaftafell, we got to touch the "moss" that grows everywhere. It is spongy and warm!

Iceland - Jokalsarlon

Jokulsarlon is a glacial lake and is probably the 2nd deepest lake in Iceland. It is filled with icebergs which are calving off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. We took the amphibeous vehicle tour and were not disappointed! We saw seals, eider ducks (including 4 babies), and many icebergs. We even got a closeup of a Skua, a typically agressive bird. But, this one was almost a pet.

Iceland - Vatnajökull Glacier

Vatnajökull Glacier is 8100 square kilometres and is the largest glacier in Iceland (and 2nd largest in the world). This glacier covers active volcanoes and is inherently unstable. When a volcano erupts, the glacier melts and brings vast quantities of mud, rock and icebergs across the plains. You can see what one such eruption did to the massive Skeiöra Bridge.

Iceland - Kirkjubæjarklaustur

We spent two nights Kirkjubæjarklaustur (means "church farm cloister") which has a population of a little over 150. The Irish Church was built in honor of Reverend Jón Steingrímsson who preached a "Fire Sermon" during the volcanic eruptions of 1783 and thus saved the village at the last minute from the lava flow.

We ate one dinner at a nearby farmhouse restaurant and met a VERY friendly dog.

More beautiful waterfalls in Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Iceland - Blue Lagoon to Kirkjubaejarklauster

From the Blue Lagoon, we drove to Kirkjubaejarklauster where we spent the night. On the way, we saw a series of spectacular falls.

Rae Ann and Rich are standing in front the Selfoss falls (11m).


This is a typical of many of the roadside falls.


Seljalandsfoss (60 m) is famously picturesque.


We thought this water distribution pipeline was interesting.

Iceland - Keflavik Airport & Blue Lagoon

An example of Icelandic sculpture at Keflavik airport.

Per wikipedia: "The Blue Lagoon ("Bláa Lónið") is a geothermal spa fed by the water output of a nearby geothermal power plant. Superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water passes through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal hot water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users". This informational poster at the spa assures us that the heat kills dangerous bacteria and therefore there is no need for chlorine.

For us, we paid our fee and headed for the changing rooms. From the changing rooms we quickly ran to the outdoor towel hooks and left our towels there, and got in the water ASAP. The outside weather was freezing and windy. We spent a lot of time roaming around the lagoon searching for the "hot spots". Some other bathers showed us where to find the white silica mud to place on our faces. When we had to leave, we found that our nice dry towels had been taken and some stranger's wet towels left in their place. We showered with special Blue Lagoon shampoo, cream rinse, and shower gel. A very nice way to start our vacation.

Suffolk with Country Walks

We went on a long weekend holiday with Country Walks in Suffolk. We stayed in the lovely Brudenell Hotel on the sea. We were proud of ourselves for hiking 9 miles each day. The first hike started in Snape Maltings and ended in Ortford. One of the hogs squealed when getting a bit too close to the electric fence. The second hike included Dunwich Heath and the National Trust Coastguard Cottages.

Thames over its Banks

Sometimes the Thames gets a bit high in front of our local pub The Ship and on the path Kris takes to Mortlake station.

Bluebells Hike - Ockley

The Kingston Ramblers led a circular walk from Ockley - magnificent bluebells!!!

A Common Thread in Westgate-on-Sea

Our Common Thread (quilting, knitting, cross-stitch, tapestry, etc.) leader hosted us in her home in Westgate-on-Sea in Kent. After walking from the train station to her home and getting the grand tour (grand restoration almost complete), we walked along the sea. When the tide is in, there is no beach. She served us a fabulous lunch and then put us to work on the quilt we are making that will be raffled off to support one of our charities. It was a wonderful day!