Iceland+Expedition+2015


 * Last Update: 280515 11.53pm.**

In the morning we had another Nordic breakfast and made and packed sandwiches for the day. Hugo M's Nutella sandwich was eaten by a dog, but we were assured by the owner that it had a cast iron constitution and would survive. We also wrote postcards to parents before setting off.
 * Thursday 28 May**

In the morning we headed to a location where we walked up along a lovely fresh water stream from which we could drink to a beautiful volcanic pool of steaming hot water.

Then we visited the Hveragerði Geothermal Centre where we were shown some of the volcanic features including fissures from which very hot water was emanating. Our guide submerged a net full of eggs into the water and withdrew them for us to eat on bread that was cooked in a thermal steam oven, heated from geothermal steam.

From there we went to a small shopping centre in which was a earthquake simulator, which rattled us all including Mr Kaye who greatly enjoyed the experience. I thought it would be good for the geography department to acquire one, but Mr Kaye was not quite so convinced of this. All the boys enjoyed the simulated 6.5MMI scale quake some finding out just how difficult it was to walk during an earthquake.

From here we went to Kerid a spectacular crater lake into which we skimmed stones and walked around the lake at the bottom of the crater.

From here we visited Gulfoss, another waterfall, but interestingly our itinerary was ingeniously devised as just when we thought we were going to see, 'just another waterfall,' Gulfoss turned out to be a massive torrent of water excitingly thundering down into a plunge pool completely obscured by spray.

From here we went to Geysir, to see the geyser, which George Q recorded with great skill (and luck) with his iPhone in slo-mo.

From here we had a quick visit to a dairy farm to see the cows, which boys really enjoyed watching close up whilst eating ice creams made from the local cream.

Then we visited Thingvellir National Park site of the first parliament in AD930. This turned out to be an astonishing rift wall akin to Hadrian's Wall or the Great Wall of China, but this one made by the earth and not man.

From here we headed to our hotel in Reykjavik and dinner and dessert in the coolest burger bar in town. We missed out on a swim because (despite the sunshine) the Icelanders have the audacity to close the pool at before it got dark (it never gets dark just now), and getting there with enough time to have any reasonable swim was looking impossible so we headed back for teeth brushing and bed and some much needed rest.

Tomorrow whale watching! Again little bandwidth as hotel wifi is not reaching my room so having to file this dispatch by 3G so photos being sluggish to arrive. Hope to post when we get back.

Mr Kaye is making his own way back as he has an audience with he President of Poland on Friday. He sends his apologies in advance that he won't be at the airport to see parents.


 * Wednesday 27 May**

An exciting day heading to the Westman Isles and seeing the site of the 1973 fissure eruption. We too the bus onto the ferry to the Westman Isles and then went to the visitor centre to see the nature and extent of damage on Haimaey and we also found out about the creation of Surtsey. We then lunched at the foot of the active volcano Eldfell and drew some sketches of the harbour overlooking where the lava flow had engulfed part of the town, which we subsequently climbed, although there was little evidence of it being active other than a few fumaroles. (it was quite, quite safe!). The most pressing issue being Mr Kaye's trying to sort carpet colour swatches for new carpet at Sussex House from the crest of the volcano!

Alex T found some excellent rocks to add to the Geography Department's Cabinet of Curiosities. Max M-S was greatly enjoying the walk and the view and Sterling sat quietly at the crest sketching the view.

After this we went swimming in a pool built as a gift of the Norwegian government after the destruction of the 1973 eruption. Cameron took some excellent Go-Pro shots careering down the water slides before he hurt his foot : (. Mr J was attacked by 30 boys trying to get him off a mound in the swimming pool! The swimming complex was outside but the water was deliciously warm.

Then we set off to a promontory looking for puffins nesting in the cliff face. Those armed with binoculars managed to see one fluttering away.

Then we headed to the town on Haimaey for a little retail therapy which for many meant stocking up in the supermarket.

After this we returned to the mainland on the ferry and to the farm where we are staying tonight. For supper we had an excellent fish curry, and boys played on the playground equipment before bed.

Limited bandwidth precludes loading photos today. Will try tomorrow.


 * Tuesday 26 May**

Another amazing day.

Getting dressed. Hugo brimming with optimism. So optimistic was he that he even attempted to wear his shades in a cave!



After a breakfast of porridge, excellent Skyr yoghurt and a "full Nordic" we headed off for a full day with our guide Arachna and driver Johannes.



Our first stop was at the Geothermal Power station where we looked over the pressurised water system that is second largest in the world. We had an excellent talk and from a bearded Icelander who was good fun.

The station was extraordinary.



And this is the outside with the great plumes of steam escaping into the atmosphere. Boys also enjoyed throwing a little snow at each other outside after a little retail therapy with the wise buying buying hot chocolate by the more adventurous wanting Icecream in Iceland.

"I think this was a mistake Sir!"

Then we explored the inner bowels of one of the defunct volcanoes and dabbled in a little speleology and descended the lava tubes which called for some bending and crouching. It might look just like a hole in the ground but...



This was very exciting and quite marvellous experience especially as we all switched off our head torches and experience total darkness in the country of (almost) //lux perpetua//.





Listening to Guide Kidi telling us about how the roof was not about to fall down! We went to the end where it really got very narrow - but we didn't want to stay there very well, as it was a little uncomfortable on the back.

Then we drove to Seljalandsfoss waterfall we admired the scenery as we went.



The waterfall was wet! And so were we after we walked around the back of it and saw the plunge pool and the over hang and undercutting.

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Then we went to the Eyjafjallajökull Visitor's Centre to find out about the volcanic eruption. Where Dr Lee paid £6 to buy Eyjafjallajökull ash for his cabinet of curiosities to be chided by boys because you could pick up scoops of it outside for free.



Then to an even more impressive waterfall in Skogafoss.

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Then to the glacial outfall zone to see the ablating glacier and glacial till. It kept one geographer very very happy.



Then in the rain where should we go? How about the beach. "Well forget the downpour, we're Englishmen." Here we saw amazing basaltic columns and some fantastic beach landforms we have just list last week been studying in geography! (Hooray)







Great supper of soup and chicken and ice-cream tonight.

Everyone is happy and well, but I must get to bed. I have thirty small matters to attend to in the morning. Tomorrow we're off to the Westman Islands. Hopefully we will post some postcards in the morning.


 * Monday 25 May**

Great day today.

Flight was excellent. A real WOW experience. Boy's sitting in the back row liked the sign above them that said "the cool kids always sit at the back.' Cameron took some very good portraits of boys in the plane. George P very happy as I found something to him to eat on the plane which had peppers in it. Mr Kaye found the arrival to the land of ice and fire a spiritual experience and is still getting over it. Mr Jordaan slept well.

An hour or so late in to Reykavik, but we still managed to get to the Midline bridge. Photo below. This is where the tectonic plates are clearly shown to be separating.



Then we went to the Blue Lagoon. No pictures I'm afraid, too difficult to take cameras in. Boys really had a great time as did the staff. A very extraordinary experience. Boys enjoyed putting mud all over their faces (good for the complexion) although some got a little carried away with mud excavation. Some ignored the advice about using conditioner in the shower and now have hedgehog hair. George P was beaming uncontrollably - as happy as a sand boy at being in this great outdoor blue steaming bath with all his friends and purchased a curious furry object from the shop to celebrate. Otis, Charles and Sterling seemed to strike up conversations with people in the spa convincing them that they were foreign students (which I guess they are) and that Sterling was a mute. I'm not sure exactly what they were up to but they seemed to be having great fun as Mr Kaye and I looked on. Cristiano was delighted he brought a waterproof camera and hopefully took some good photos which I hope he will share. Jared sadly found out that his waterproof phone was no longer waterproof - so sadly one casualty there (ouch) and sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

We have a number counting off system 1-2-3-4 with all boys having a number. Boys are still getting the hang of this with some not mentioning any names (Jake & a couple of others) having to be reminded with a "wake up Jake." They will get the hang of it.

Supper last night was vegetable soup which boys and staff regarded as excellent, followed by equally good stroganoff and fruit. The vegetarians were also well catered for! Hotel rooms comfortable, but we will have been hardly in them. Water from the taps delicious to drink.



Our bus (Now there's a Chelsea tractor!)



Retail therapy. Daniel Boone?

Then supper and a video presentation on Iceland. Latish night so no phone call opportunity - we will try tomorrow night. Boys happy and in PJs with teeth brushed and now sleeping!

Tomorrow: Geothermal power plant, waterfalls and some walking. Please refer to Itinerary!

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