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!

Gold Coast Australia

Surfer's Paradise is in the centre of the Gold Coast. Critics say it is too built up, which is probably true, but I liked it. The weather was fabulous & no hurricanes. Kris was working, so I stayed close to the Marriott where we were staying (belive me, this was NOT a sacrifice).

The organisers invited spouses to the evening events. I enjoyed the evening dinner cruise but LOVED the "Behind the Scenes Night Tour" of Currumbin Sanctuary. I held a young crocodile, viewed a gigantic crocodile, fed kangaroos, enjoyed an Aboriginal dance troupe, and petted a koala bear. I am always ready for close (but safe) encounters with "wild" animals.

Lady Elliot Island - Great Barrier Reef

While we were at our hotel in Surfer's Paradise, we learned about an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. We flew on a tiny plane 2 hours north to land on a grassy strip on Lady Elliot Island, the most southern part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

We started with a "fish feed" in the tidal pools where our guide threw in the equivalent of Purina fish food, and soon many beautiful fish arrived. We also saw many sea cucumbers, purple sea stars, and sea anenomes.

After the fish feed, we walked across the landing strip (looking both ways for incoming planes) and took a glass-bottom boat out to the reef. On the way to the reef, we saw a gigantic manta ray on the ocean surface and several sea turtles. We did NOT see sharks, dudongs (like manatees) or whales. We snorkeled for several hours. I got very sunburned but I did not want to get out of the water.

We then walked around the island and arrived back just in time for lunch and a local "Queensland Brew". After lunch, we learned more about Elliot Island in the Visitor Information Centre and then napped on the beach. Unfortunately, it was soon time to get back into our tiny plane and fly back to Surfer's Paradise.

I have always wanted to see the Great Barrier Reef and thought this was a great way to spend Kris's birthday. He is now saying he will get me Sky TV with comprehensive cricket coverage for my birthday.

Sydney Australia

The weather in Sydney was perfect - sunny and at a comfortable temperature. The Sydney Harbour and Opera House were beautiful.

We loved the fact that we could take ferries to so many places. We took the ferry to Watsons Bay and walked from Macquarie Lighthouse to Vaucluse. Our reward was lunch at Doyle's seafood restaurant.

We took the Bondi explorer to walk around this famous beach. I had to take a picture of the Bondi Icebergs clubhouse. Prospective members must swim every Sunday, regardless of weather, 50 weeks of the year for 4 years to join.

We did many other touristy things - Aquarium (platypus), Wildlife World (cassowary), Chinatown, evening ferry tour, afternoon ferry tour, Sydney Explorer, Bondi Explorer, Queen Victoria Building (shopping), The Marble Bar (several visits), Anzac Memorial, and the Australian Museum (excellent Indigenous Australians exhibit).