Its a particularly strange and unique sensation to feel as if your head is freezing off while the rest of you soaks in hot thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, but after the 50 yard outdoor shuffle from the changing room it was good to plunge into the milky water and relax. Time to think on the next few days and our plan to see as much of Iceland as possible.
Staying at The Best Western in central Reykjavik we were able to meet our pre booked guide Siggy from Reykjavik Tours.
Our 4×4 travelled effortlessly to the south shore. Fertile plains snow capped glaciers and the highlight of our day, parking up and walking into the melting cavernous Myrdalsjokull glacier. Its stark white contrasting with shades of blue, purple and aquamarine. its honeycombed interior seductively beckoned us in to marvel at its labyrinthine tunnels a true Tolkeinesque moment.
Back on the road, we travelled onwards spending time exploring the blackened volcanic shore at Vik overlooking the stunning Westerman Islands. The extraordinary basalt structures and caves were a delight. After stopping off for lunch at a little hut where there was only one item on the menu – a very tasty and filling fishing stew we were ready for more adventure!
The monumental Skogafoss and elegant Seljalandsfoss waterfalls – thundering curtains of water which plummet into shallow pools then turn into ice, how we appreciated our thermal underwear!!
A pre dawn start next as Siggy arrives with a monumental tank like 4×4, this is to enable travel to the extremes of recent snowfall in Northern Snaefellsnes peninsular and a measure against high winds. On the coastal run, Siggy suggested a walk along the beach,? a unanimous assent echoed in the truck followed by moments hilarity and chaos as we struggled into woolly hats, fleeces and what ever we could lay our hands on to keep out the freezing wind. Scrambling down the icy gorge, through the snowcovered lava field of Dritvik Beach, we enjoyed an erie landscape of hideous sculptured lava creations left by the volcano. Fragments of the ‘Epine’ a Grimsby trawler which went down in 1984 were evident on the snow covered and icy beach.
Budir church is one of the iconic images of Iceland, a simple wooden structure set in total isolation with only a small frozen graveyard and glaciers for company. A very moving, breathtaking beautiful place.
Leaving the main road we bumped along a rickety coastal path to Arnastapi parked up { very precariously in my opinion} for lunch at yet another little cabin, only this time we were on the cliff edge. I didnt ask for a window seat! But the food was outstanding .
Monday morning, an early breakfast and departure from Keflavik to Manchester.
Goodbye Iceland, Goodbye Siggy our wonderful intrepid guide who took us on our very own trip to The Wild Side