Day 4

Day 4: Seljlandfoss waterfall, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, Sólheimajökull glacier, Drhyoralea cliffs, Skogafoss waterfall & the last swim of the trip.

What an amazing Country to be able to see waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers & coastal features in the same day. Admiring and walking behind towering waterfalls plunging from the old sea cliffs above the coastal plain. Looking again at the interrelationship between water and basaltic lava flows, as well as the influence of isostatic rebound since the last ice age.

We were entertained at the farm affected by the Eyjafjallajökull eruption as we heard of the impact this eruption had locally and further afield on an international scale. With a short video, a very good exhibition and a chance to buy some souvenirs.

It was then time to don our crampons, grab an ice axe and slip on a harness ready for a walk up from the snout of the Solheimajokul glacier. It was clear from our walk that the biggest threat to the glacier wasn't climate change; give a boy an ice axe and put him on a huge block of ice.... It was great to climb in to Moulin's, drink the meltwater, look at the impact ash has on the ice, walk over crevasses and appreciate the power of a huge glacier.  The glacier won't be there for much longer at it's current rate of melting, retreating at 100 metres per year and decreasing in height at a rate of 15 metres a year. A good example for the boys on the impact of global warming, which will most probably have disappeared in their lifetime.

The afternoon carried on with a trip to the coast to see basalt columns and the force of an uninterrupted ocean between Iceland and Antarctica.  Followed by a quick stop at Skogafoss waterfall, which put on a show with huge flow rates forming a full curtain of water tumbling off the basalt cliffs. Then on for our final swim of the trip at the local geothermal swimming pool, hot tubs and steam rooms.

It's been a busy 4 days and a quick bit of reflection after dinner followed by the obligatory and decisive quiz ensured boys were suitably tired.

Day 5

Day 5: The last day; Helisheidi geothermal power station, Reykyavik then back to the airport.

It was the earliest start of the trip this morning and a shame to have to say goodbye to our wonderful hosts at Husid Guesthouse and Iceland. First stop was the Helisheidi Geothermal power plant where boys got a chance to see the scale at which Iceland utilises geothermal energy. The Helisheidi plant provides most of the hot water and electricity for Reykyavik. We travelled from the power plant onto Reykyavik following the pipes and pilons over the basalt ranges, incredibly over a distance of 30 km the hot water only losses 2 degrees and is delivered to homes at 81 degrees C!

The first stop in Reykyavik was the perlin, the hot water tanks holding water from the power plant we visited in the morning, standing on top of these gave us an excellent vista over Reykyavik. A visit to the Cathedral and walk through town was interesting, followed by a chance for all to do a spot of shopping and find some lunch.

It was then back to the airport for our flight back to the UK. What a great bunch of boys to share Iceland with, hopefully an experience that will have inspired then to explore more amazing places in the world or to revisit Iceland in the future having some fond memories of this visit.

Thank you to our coach driver Jurn, our guide Katy, staff at Husid and most of all the wonderful geography department staff who have made the trip possible, and Mr Watson of course.

Happy Easter holidays all.

Day 3

Day 3: Stora Dimon, Hekla, pumice, earthquakes and geothermal pools.

In contrast to yesterday's start to the day we began the day today with a hike up Stora Dimon, a small sub glacial volcano for a view over a glacial outwash plane and towards Eyjafjallajökull. A very steep ascent and a hail storm made this all the more exhilarating. It was an excellent vantage point to see how humans have managed the outwash plain to reduce the impact of glacial meltwater. Getting back to the bus was welcomed by all after a slippy and steep descent.

The Hekla centre was next on today's itinerary; what a great place it was, giving boys an excellent view of the Hekla volcano and its previous lava flows. A talk from a local farmer on the impact of the volcano and subsequent management was very interesting, followed by a trip round the Hekla museum and a chance for a drink in the cafe. Good links were made between the increase in tourism in Iceland and increased risk from eruptions, apparently Iceland's tourism is rising by 450,000 people per year!

On the way back to the coastal plain, we stopped at a wild and desolate pumice quarry to collect rock samples and consider the use and extraction of this as aggregate and an industry for Iceland.

The afternoon was spent on a walk through the volcanically active hills of Gönguleiđir through thick snow and with amazing views of a dramatic landscape. The top of the hills was a very active place, the air was filed with sulphur and steam; boiling water poured into a natural river and boys took time to paddle. With staff that had been here before it was interesting to consider the changes that have taken place due to increased tourism in this area. A brisk walk down meant we had enough time for a trip to Selfoss swimming pool before dinner which had geothermaly heated swimming pools, hot tubs & steam rooms. A highlight for everyone was the challenge of submersing yourself into a near freezing plunge pool then jumping back into the 40 degree sauna.

What a great day, evidenced by a tired looking group of boys after a day in the elements.  We've seen rain, hail, snow and sunshine.  A quick reflection session after dinner followed by quiz master Campbell 's tiered quiz finished the group off for the evening.

Day 2

Day 2: Secret Lagoon, Gulfoss, Geysir & Thingvellir

The secret lagoon was a great way to start the day today. Tucked away next to a river, surrounded by geothermal hot pools and very relaxing. The power of the geothermal activity of the area was evident from the temperature of the water, which entered the pool naturally through hot springs at 100 degrees C.

It was then on to visit Geysir, a field of fumeroles and geysers. The boys were treated to regular displays from the stokkur geyser going up on average every 5 minutes with impressive power, giving the boys downwind a good soaking as they tried to capture the photo of the day. 

After lunch we visited Gulfoss, a huge waterfall and gorge. If the scale itself wasn't impressive enough, it was great to be able to clearly see the relationship between the water and the Geology of the area.

The last stop of the day was to Thingvellir national park and UNESCO world heritage site to walk between the rift separating the North American and Eurasian plates. We were blessed to see the area bathed in sunshine, giving great views of the fault and surrounding mountains. 

After an evening meal we spent a bit of time reflecting on the days learning before quiz master Campbell treated us to the evenings entertainment.

A great second day in Iceland.

Day 1

Day 1: Travel and the Blue Lagoon.

We have made it! After a very civilised departure time this morning of 8.30, we set off for Iceland and had a trouble free journey without traffic or delays.

The adventure started straight away, with  views of lava flows and a dramatic coastline from the airplane whilst landing. Within 5 minutes of leaving the airport we had seen volcanoes, snow caped mountains and geothermal greenhouses. The first stop was an all important refueling stop at an all you can eat pizza restaurant, the boys did exactly this!

We spent the evening after dinner in the Blue Lagoon, where we were treated to the natural luxury of the geothermal heated pools, saunas and steam rooms. After a couple of hours of silica face masks and steam everyone is feeling suitably relaxed for our 2 hour onward journey to Husid Guesthouse and the staff are feeling at least 10 years younger.

A late arrival at 11 will see all in bed soon after, ready for a day exploring the waterfalls, fault lines, geysers and swimming pools of the golden circle.