We had rain all through the night and then all day today. It was mostly like a foggy rain and misty, then faster at times.

We decided to try the silver ring route today. We headed up the coast getting closer to the arctic circle. Iceland doesn’t quite touch the arctic circle but is close in the north.

We went to a sea town called Husavik. There was no wind and so lovely reflections in the harbour. Here is popular for whale watching tours and we saw three boatloads going off and one returning.

Instead we went to the whale museum. 

There were skeletons of different whales, small minke whales to the best in the museum a blue whale! The blue whale had washed up along the coastline and had been the start of this collection.

There were documentaries about the Faroes whale culling and slaughter and their point of view about this. Interesting but very wrong!

We spent a long time in there as it was so interesting.

As it was pouring when we came out we went to a fish 

restaurant/cafe/bar. We treated ourselves to fish of the day dinner. It was a fish similar to cod they said. It was oven cooked,fresh and tasty. With rice noodles asparagus jus and kale with small potatoes.

We continued on our way after walking around the harbour now looking at the wooden boats.

Along the silver trail we reached Asbyrgi. It is a huge canyon surrounded by a deep half circle arc of cliffs. This is part of the volcanic landscape and was probably created by fierce rivers. We stayed in the

information centre for a while.

I took all my images on my small camera as I didn’t want to get my big camera wet.

On the return journey we passed by Godafoss. This time we walked down the other side of the falls and got a better view of them. 

Back in Akureyri it has stopped raining and although damp with low swirling fog along the mountains, it looks stunning over the sea.

We move further north and east tomorrow.

please note yesterdays photos are now uploaded please see them! look them up for sept 5th

Today we followed a trail to see 2 impressive waterfalls and volcanic eruption devastation.

The whole area is very different in each case. 

Leaving AKUREYRI we went through a long long tunnel saving us 15 kms. 

The first place on the route was Godafoss.waterfall.

It is so dynamic. You park the car and then can walk along the top of the side of the river and over up to the waterfall. I thought it was wonderful.

We next followed the A1 route over where 2 volcanoes had erupted along fissures. We called at the information centre to find out more.

Put simply as the larva erupted it caused a huge lake to form and the water cooled the larva forming mineral columns usually seen under the sea. Also the steam came from the earth forming huge mounds (and these kind of humps are found on the surface of Mars too)

We passed oozing mud and sulphur mining. It did not smell pleasant!

The next waterfall was so outstanding in scale force and noise.

Look at my photos and see how small the people look beside it.

Dettifoss is truly magnificent in every way. 

I’m so pleased we have been lucky enough to see all these wonderful sights, I count my blessings.

Back in town we noticed the traffic lights have red hearts ahhhh!

This is the 2nd time I’ve written my blog today. I lost the first attempt pictures and all so fingers crossed this time. Xxxx

the view from our window and below along the road…

I woke up today to sun streaming through the valley. Everything looked so different much better.
We set out to explore the East side of the huge peninsular.
As we travelled along we stopped at waterfalls and jaw dropping views.

Again we saw loads of swans and ducks and geese, stone-terns, arctic terns and many other small birds.
We crossed over the plateau and today could see the views, not obscured by clouds today.

The countryside was so pretty and varied. Lots of deep fjord water, streams joining up to make small rivers with waterfalls all along the hill and cliff sides.

It’s difficult to explain how beautiful it is. I hope my pics help!

We eventually came to a small village with a jetty near a causeway.

We explored around and found a tiny sandy beach. We sat down to eat our picnic and watch the seabirds all around. Then we noticed steam rising from the beach and surrounding water. The water was hot!
We had found a hot spring seeping into the sea.
There were lots of shells and as well loads of tiny white coral washed up on this beach. We were delighted to see this…

What a brilliant last day in this area, we travel along the north of the island tomorrow , but sad to leave here.

This is for our grandchildren. Down the road from our holiday house is a Viking house and museum,

The vikings grew grass on their roof.

this is a game they played with the rules. can you play it? you will have to teach me!

grandad and grandma little people

For a fleeting glance this morning we saw the sun. As it shined on the cliffs opposite our wooden house, they shone gold!

Then the rain came back and as we set off, a rainbow.

We wanted to explore the north west peninsular. It is an area of rugged beauty but difficult terrain and mostly unreachable by car.

The weather was changeable all day with squally rain bursts and poor visibility and then sun and a very cold wind.

We travelled along the coastline and saw many swans and geese.

As we headed north the road turned to gravel and had hairpin bends with no crash barriers and a long drop down cliffs to the sea. We felt nervous so turned round.

There was a gravel road marked on the map that went up and over to the other coast so we tried this. After a safer climb we reached the top and it was a huge never ending plateau. We were the only car up there and saw hundreds of geese, some arctic terns and swans. There were pools of water and lakes and the road weaved round them.

At one part we saw this shelter. It looked so forelorn up there in this isolated spot!

As we rejoined the main road we returned eventually back to Budardalur.

It was pouring with rain again.

It seemed too early to go back to our little wooden house so we set off after a picnic lunch over the dalir Dales to the volcanoes near Bifrost.

We walked right up the many steps to the top volcano. it was soooooo windy. We were almost blown off our feet. It was a good walk but scary.

The view was spectacular. Everybody was battling the wind and looking at each other in the same situation with sympathy! I’m pleased we did it such an achievement in a force 10 gale(exaggeration )

Now I am home and feeling sunburnt on my face even though it was 5*c.

And an icy wind.

What a lovely day 8 hours out all day. We will sleep well even if the wind and rain whip round the house.😉

Only got a few hours sleep last night as the rainfall and wind was tremendous. i was worried we were going to have the roof blown off.t It eased a bit by 3am but continued raining.

So today we decided to make the best of things and set off along the A1 north towards Vatnsnes peninsula. We went over the dales pass as we knew that road was good and reached Stadarskali at the end of Hrutafjordur. We stopped for a rest at the cafe and it was packed with coachloads of tourists on the way to whale watching. It was so quiet when they left…. (No photos as the rain and clouds obscured the hills.)

We followed the road along this fjord then crossed overland to Midfjordur. This fjord again was beautiful and we travelled along it as far as the seal sanctuary museum at Hvammstangi. If the weather had been better we would have gone all the way around the peninsular but didn’t feel it was safe today. The wind was gusty. 

The museum was interesting and all about how they caught seals in the past and used them for oil, skins and food.

There was a small harbour, the wind whipped around and we had gloves hats scarves and boots on to keep warm. It had stopped raining by then.

We returned  along a quicker route braving across a gravel road through a series of hills and valleys. It wasn’t too bad and after about 12 miles the road became a tarmac road. We went to the nearby village of Budardalur 

And Vince washed down our very muddy car. At all the garages you can hose down your car for free.

We had had quite an adventure and in spite of the weather we were pleased we had been out.

I hope you like the pics! 

Otis Xavi Louis and Alice grandma was so brave to make friends with a walrus don’t you think? 

1st September

We first had a quick road tour around Reykjavik before getting on the A1 to head north.

The buildings in the city are beautiful designs and even the graffiti looks good.

T

the scarpa building made of glass and the Viking ship statue. I took all these photos from the car!

On our journey up the A1 we went under the fjord. The tunnel was 7 kms. This is the water we travelled under…

At Borgarnes we stopped to photo the bridge and mountains.

From the coffee shop you get a view of the mouth of the fjord and at low tide lots of seabirds.

We did our shopping at bonus. Yellow, with a pink pig logo.

Now we were only an hour away from our next nights location.

We went along the road as far as Bifrost where we saw volcanos and moss covered lava fields. The mountains surrounding the road were gigantic.

From here we went over the dalir  (dales) pass to Budardalur. What a beautiful road. We enjoyed all the views as we climbed up and saw small gorges and small waterfalls and then down to the lower coastal  lands.

At Budardalur we stopped for an Icelandic hot dog…..not sure what we were eating but it tasted good with onions mustard and sauces over it.

By the coast it was so pretty, I could live here. Sea birds, fjord reflections and black sand.

Now we are close by for 4 nights, inland by a lake in a small wooden cabin. It is very cosy and a good job because high winds and rain is forecast.

We will be exploring from this area further north west and north east as much as we dare!

2023 Iceland trip

We set off early at 6.30am for a 1pm flight from Heathrow.

Heathrow had been in turmoil for 2 days due to a systems failure and people stranded and planes not in the right place etc.

We needn’t have worried our flight was delayed only 20 minutes. Phew.

We ate at the airport as we were 3 hours early 🤗

The flight was good just a little bit of turbulence nothing much.

At Reykjavik airport we picked up our car when we eventually located it, badly directed and had to walk a long way, it’s good it wasn’t raining.

Our hotel was about 40 minutes drive away and easy to find.

So now we were tired but hungry so we went to a close by Thai restaurant. There was so much food, we are fit to burst but we’ll sleep well

The food was lovely.

More tomorrow as our journeys begin, a storm is coming in we’ve been told.

Iceland blog

1st Sept to 16 Sept 2022

Mann Tours returns!

A short one this time 16 days to Iceland Sept 1 to Sept16

Day 1

Flight from Heathrow to Reykjavik 1.20pm Icelandic airlines

The flight was easy and no mishaps on the way.

On arrival at airport, we met 8*c and grey rainy skies.

We found our way to our first hotel in our 4wheel hire car. We brought our sat nav from home!

The hotel was lovely with open fire baskets around the ground floor and restaurant. Our room was 222. We dropped everything and headed out to explore while there was good light. We were right on the harbour near the

Maritime museum.

We found a fish and chip van….of course! Ate them standing up by the van in the rain. Then we took photos. Thousands of jelly fish (really!) were in the harbour, all alive and swimming. Amazing sight.

Walking on we saw buildings of glass and many small cafes and restaurants as well as museums of all kinds.

We walked as far as the Viking ship, before walking back. What a long but lovely day, very tired now.

Day 2 Reykjavik to hella

We had a comfy nights rest and a huge varied breakfast to set us on our way. We left the city and climbed up to the plateau. At the first view point I opened the car door and it nearly blew off the car. It was an icy wind and we had our thick coats and hats on. Gradually as the morning progressed, the sky changed to blue with long lenticular clouds and then fluffy white clouds and sunny blue skies. The winds were warmer too.

We stopped at a cultural centre with shops and exhibitions and a post office. We chose a custard pastry and had a coffee. Such a choice at this bakery.

Further down the road we saw a fierce river and stopped down there to see. There were falls and a torrent of water it was so impressive.

We reached Hella and continued onto falls. Here masses of people were visiting. You could walk behind the highest waterfall, we tried but chickened out. The spray got us soaked but it was fun.

I got some fab photos.

We checked into our hotel. It is more like a huge conference centre with many rooms and facilities.

The sunset tonight is amazing and 360* views. This is truely and an

amazing country.

Day 3 Hella.

We might have seen the aurora last night. It was very pale green and wispy. We weren’t sure and thought it might have been a cloud. Talking to others it was what they saw too. Fingers crossed for tonight.

Today we were so energetic! Feeling proud. We drove along the A1 road towards VIK and stopped at Skogafoss.a 60 metre high majestic waterfall. The thundering noise and spray was unbelievable.

We put on warm clothes, waterproof over trousers hats and coats. Carrying camera bag, tripods and a walking stick. We walked like this up to the top of this waterfall. Up many steps with loads more tourists.at the top we were boiling hot and stripping off hot sweaty clothes! I had to rest for a while to cool down, and then took pics. There was a walk at the top that continued to further waterfalls. This walk was not too steep and we did it! It was so worth it. Most tourists went straight down from the viewing point and missed the other bits. It would have been wonderful to follow the river up to its source, the glacier but we couldn’t manage to any further.

The way down was quite scary, it is very steep and you can see where the ground is way below, you don’t notice on the way up!

So now was our time for the soaking spray…. We ate biscuits and had a drink to restock…. The spray was everywhere we got very wet

It was difficult to get good photos because of the people there, even two girls in wedding dresses. We did our best.

As we left and headed back we kept stopping to take photos hope you like these.

Then along the edge of the road came several riders on horses herding lots of horses along the verge. Among the riders were older children.

So now back at hotel and as starving went to restaurant. Very lovely food but very expensive! Won’t be doing that very often….. xxxx

Day 4 vik

This morning we woke up and ate a huge breakfast to see us through the day! We set off towards VIK on the A1. First stop was the waterfall again, we wanted to take more pics at ground level and the foggy start soon lifted from the mountain tops. We had lavata coffee at the gulfoss hotel and really liked this location with its views from all the windows. We could see how high and far we had walked along yesterday.

Continuing along our way we turned off left and took the road to Katla ice. Wow what an experience. We drove over black volcano ash for ages until we reached the glacier. At the carpark we had a walk along a path towards the ice. There was a deep lake of melt water in which were broken of ice bergs. They were white and dirty black striped from the volcano dust. We climbed down carefully to the water and then along and back up up to the path view point over the glacier nearby. A guy told us he had visited here last January and could see how it had receded.

Back in the car we were so pleased by all along this A1 road. It is so beautiful and we stopped at the view points to take advantage. Near to vik we diverted to see the black sand beach and the view points above it. Wow! ! Beauty in all directions. To reach the headland that is a nature reserve we crossed a causeway over water and marshland. Not too scary as we feared.

Much later we headed to the Katla hotel. It is lovely in a valley leading to the glacier and views to the stacks.

To finish a perfect day we had a buffet tea there and…… we saw the aurora.

From 9.30 to 11 pm outside and to 2.30 am from our bedroom window …heavenly day.

Day 5 VIK

Blue skies no cloud today we have been so lucky with the weather!

Today we went to the lighthouse above the black sands. The views were 360* it’s a geographers dream. Glacier, volcano, silt marsh, causeway, caves, basalt cliffs, Tula rising from the black volcanic ash, stacks and arches receding seas, leaving ocean floor behind covered by volcano residues.

Next to the black sand beach ….with it’s dangerous waves that undercut the drifting sand. Here we found many people arriving by the bus load.

Fulmars are nesting all over the cliffs, all the way along we have seen fulmars, swans and ducks. Today we saw a seal at the black sands.

The sun was shing too brightly to take picks at the end of the beach , so we returned about 5 to take those photos.

We had coffee in VIK and then continued along A1. There is a huge desert area of volcanic residue with false cones and a completely flat environment for miles in all directions.

We followed a dirt track past isolated farms to a church. Here had been a monastery and nunnery until the huge Katla volcano erupted covering fertile land and destroying everything. There was a legend about witches and curses and a Viking stone. Another church was built on the monastery grounds with the loudest bell in Iceland. This was also destroyed by subsequent eruptions. So now there is a small white church with a red roof and surrounding graveyard.

Returning we travelled up the valley passed our hotel. Up a gravel road higher and higher towards the glacier. It is so picturesque up there!

VIK certainly is a beautiful area.

Lovely sunset tonight. Will we see Aurora tonight? Hope so….

Yes it was there from after midnight to about 4am, the clouds had gone and stars showing. I watched it from hotel bedroom but too tired to get dressed and got outside tonight!

Day 6

Travelling from Vik to Klausterhauf guesthouse, in kirkjubaejarklaustur our furthest point east on south coast. We are here for 3 nights.

Another blue skies sunny day and temps today reached 20*c.

We set off east and followed the A1 again. First stop was at a gorge. It was the ice age melt water that caused this spectacle. We walked up and along to 3 viewing platforms to see the water cascading down to the river below. The water is from Katla the glacier on the volcano. This volcano and glacier is the largest of its kind in Europe. It dominates Iceland.

It was another climb up and along and we took it slowly but managed so well.

A kind Japanese girl asked me if I needed help down the steps, “ I will help you” she said. I must look old!

Next stops were to see waterfalls. They are all so different from rivers coming down over the cliffs from the glacier.

We reached Kirkjubaejarklaustur and explored a pretty valley with a waterfall and a basalt pavement, formed in the same way as the northern Irish causeway.

It was only 2pm and we had done so much already but too early to check in our guesthouse. We continued along the volcanic desert over rivers and volcanic larva deposits covered with lichen and grasses, very mundane light green and also golden orange yellow grasses. More sheep but no horses here. We saw gigantic cliffs with sheer drops. The glacier was very close to the road here. We turned back. We will pass this way again tomorrow on the way to Hofn and diamond beach.

Day 7

We set off earlier today, determined to travel as far as Hofn. We agreed not to stop at anything but the glacier lagoon near to diamond beach.

At the lagoon we walked up from the carpark and were met with an amazing sight. A huge area of icy water lagoon coming from the glacier and then the calved icebergs floating. All shapes and sizes, colours and all flowing towards the sea. We walked along way down to the shore and along the lagoon edge.

We were so impressed this was something we had never experienced before.

We knew we would be able to return tomorrow

We continued along the A1 towards Hofn …

At one stage we stopped for coffee and fig cake an Icelandic cake.

We reached Hofn by early afternoon. It is a fishing port and a small town.

It was raining and very cold and windy. We walked around the harbour and nature reserve on an island reached by a causeway.

Dinner was lamb and carrots potatoes etc and then a licquorice cheese cake. Today. We have been tasting Icelandic foods.

We left and returned back to the hotel calling by diamond beach as here the river of ice flows reached the sea..

Day 8

A more relaxed day. The sky was foggy then blue sky and sunshine.

We photographed waterfalls, glacier in sunshine

ice lagoon, diamond beach in the rolling misty fog much colder and windy. The photos show our last day in south Iceland. A wonderful area and a wonderful time had here

Day 9

Last night it rained all night as soon as it became dark and continued all today until about 6pm. Fortunately it was our big travel day retracing our path back along the A1 to sellfoss where we turned onto the 35 road on the circle tour. We arrived at our hotel the Geyser hotel and then travelled onto the gulfoss waterfall.

On the way we braved the rain to get coffee and lunch breaks and petrol.

The waterfalls were full and new smaller ones were coming down the mountains. We were in a thick cloudy fog and couldn’t see much, so thankful we had lovely weather for these places last week.

At the hotel we can see the geysers. The large one explodes every 5 mins or so.

As it stopped raining we returned to gulfoss after we checked in hotel.

It is amazing so much water is pounding down over a large area. Seeing is believing it’s hard to describe how powerful and huge it is. The sky was black and very atmospheric.

Now back in this sumptuous hotel room with a huge room and very comfy bed. Our best hotel to date xxx

Day 10

Very wet and raining most of today. We decided to go around the golden circle Pingvellir national park. We loved the countryside, you could imagine we were in the Lake District at times. We paid to park and walked up to the waterfall at the north of the lake. The rocks were very dynamic and dark and the dark clouds surrounding made this very dramatic.

As it was so wet we followed the paths for a short way and took some photos.

Then we did a circular tour of the lake. The reflections were deep and still. We saw hot streams, hydroelectric stations and heat pipes up the hills towards Rejkavik.

There was a church on the lake and it looked so pretty in this setting.

We were feeling hungry so went to Milka a family owned home made food. It was fantastic, so creatively presented on the plate and totally delicious lamb dinner and chocolate cake and fruit pudding. It melted in our mouths.

Although we are now in rain Iceland has so much to offer, so pleased we came. It’s expensive but for 16 nights and the joy we are having it’s worth it. I’ve wanted to come here ever since I was a teenager.

Day 11

We saw beautiful blue skies and great clear visibility so after an early breakfast we packed up and loaded our car ready to move on. First we thought we would catch the geyser, no luck we waited 20 mins. It is supposed to shoot up every 5 minutes….we gave up on it and headed to Gulfoss one last time. Conditions as I said were great but we hadn’t reckoned on the biting wind easily force 10 whipping down the gorge and sending spray everywhere! So funny we were hanging onto our cameras,tripods, hats and each other to stop us being blown over. All the time the water drops were all on our lenses. Not the photos we hoped for.

We went onto find a brown minor road that leads from the national park to bergarnes. We passed the great divide between the euro Asian and North American plates. Lots of rifts and cracks along in a line through this area.

The brown road was marvellous. Not many cars were along it and we felt we were on the top of the world. The views were so good our photos don’t do justice to the area. The tarmacked road turned to gravel but it was easily passable all the way.

We are now at the next hotel at Borgarnes, a large coastal town west Iceland.

In the evening we explored the coastline. It is all reclaimed land from the sea with ditches and grasslands, sheep and horses. Little farmsteads along way from each other.

Day 12

Borganes hotel B59 is lovely, we had a good breakfast and even had smoothies!

Not knowing the area we looked at the hotel IWB and saw the falls

Hraunfossar, lava waterfalls in Borgarfjord and the smaller waterfall above Barnafoss, (river hevita lava falls). It was a short walk from a carpark and really was interesting. Water gushes out all along the mountain sides for a long way along in a line from under the lava above.

The river hevita is a strong deep river and has a sall waterfall above the pathway too. The lava falls feed the river too. Such beauty!

It is very cold today not Iceland summer but Iceland autumn.

We followed another brown gravel road in the area of Reykholt yes another Reykholt! Back to borganes passed hot springs and small geysers.

In the afternoon we explored the next fjord south. Havelfjordjur. Translating to whale fiord. It seems in the past whales frequented this fiord and there is a old whale station deep in the fiord😢. In WW2 this area was taken over by British forces and their old barracks are still here.

There is another waterfall of significance in this area but it takes a 3 hour walk over dangerous terrain to reach. Needless to say we didn’t attempt this!

Tomorrow we move on to the last hotel on the west before returning to Reykjavik. What a lovely holiday we are having, too short!

Day 13

What a journey! We went through the dalir. It’s an area of dales natural beauty. We left Borganes and went via the Dalir towards Budardalur along the Brattabrekka route 60.

At budardalur we stopped for petrol. The lady in there is danish and married to an Icelandic man. She told us the danish queen margarete was celebrating 50 years on the throne this weekend but because of the death of our queen, her friend,

she has decided not to parade the streets and to keep everything low key…so respectful. It has saddened all the world

Then I persuaded vince to follow a gravel dirt road for miles and miles to reach Stykkisholmur a harbour. The road was hazardous to say the least and very scary as we went along the fjord side. We did get a few good photos though! We saw birds of prey and possibly a sea eagle.

At “sticky pudding” we saw a basalt cliff it was so high and straight down into the sea. So impressive, we climbed up behind the cliffs via steps to a cliff walk with views over many islands out to sea in the fiord.

Hope you like the photos.

Now we followed a much easier tarmac route to our hotel which is at a cross roads of the routes 56/54 no villages for miles each way but a clean beautiful room at a restaurant cafe stop.

Not so many photos today but plenty of dramatic scenery and scary travels!

We settled in and then went down the road to see the seals and ducks swans and cormorants on a yellow sandy beach at YTRI TUNGIA. We passed Olkelda sparkling water, I think it is full of bubbles from springs but not sure. It was too windy to photo. The sky is clearing and hopefully we may see the aurora tonight. It is very cold tonight.

Day 14

We are at Rjukandi cafe hotel at the junction of route 56/54 south coast of snaefellsnes peninsular west Iceland. I’m writing. These details so we can return here one day and spend a week here. There is so much to do and see. The hotel gave us a map of highlights to visit and we followed it today, stopping at most places. We can also revisit some tomorrow hopefully.

So in order of stopping bjarnarfoss waterfall and others along this mountainside. Budir and the black church, raudfeldsgja canyon,

The cliffs at londrangar.

We passed by the glacier and volcano and through Snaefellsjokull pjodgardur national park.

At Olafsvik town we stopped for lunch a homemade burger and air fried chips mmmm.

Next we spent ages visiting kirkjufell. We saw the pointed mountain from all sides possible and particularly enjoyed visiting the waterfall close by to the mountain. Great pics and fun taking them too. Eventually 2 tired people crossed 2 fiords by long bridges and found the route 56 down Vatnaleid to Rjukandi our hotel. We had done the full circle, setting off befor 10am and arriving back by 5.30pm.

We had walked and climbed and driven through beautiful lava fields past by a volcano and glacier, gone through a national park. Seen the oldest wooden church in Iceland, seen beaches birds and gigantic rocks mountains and waterfalls! Wow……!

Day 15

We had hoped to have stayed at this hotel one more night, but they were fully booked. We managed to find a one night hotel near Borganes. So we

We’re able to stay on snaefellsnes peninsular for the day. We headed up the route 56 and on the way to kirkjufell area. There had been a frost and water frozen on ponds. Route 56 is beautiful there are scenic stops to view the waterfalls and volcanoes. The morning light was radiant. We stopped along the coast taking photos and watching all the sea birds. Using our tripods we got deep reflections in the sea and lakes. At the kirkjufell waterfalls the light and skies were so different to the afternoon before!

Later we crossed back to the southern coast via a brown road that was superb all tarmacked with steep sides and wonderful views. We went to arnarstapi. Somehow we had overlooked this part of the coast beyond the black church. There were sea stacks arches caves and basalt cliffs. So wonderful. We walked along the cliff top paths and really appreciated this area.

The day had been spent so well and went to our next hotel beyond Borganes.

Here it was a dated and dusty family room with a bedroom separate from the lounge and kitchen. Two single beds a settee a large dining table cooker fridge crockery and cutlery and pans it was all there. The water came straight from the thermal heat and smelt of sulphur. Drinking water was from the kitchen. There were hot tubs and a great view over to Borganes from our veranda.

We hoped for the northern lights and watched a beautiful sunset disappear a clear sky stars and a bright moon rise up. For two hours we stayed outside looking for the aurora, sadly it did not appear. It was bitterly cold!

Day 16

Last day sigh 🥹. We set off for Reykjavik in good time. We parked the car near the church and took our little tz cameras with us to photograph the sights. We visited a souvenir shop and a coffee house. We couldn’t find any place to park near the harbour so just slowly drove along and then headed for the airport .

It was interesting to see steam or smoke in the sky coming from the recent volcano eruption.

At the airport we bought a small pizza and a coffee each and it cost £35!Leaving Iceland was sad,we will return. We did find such beauty, were so lucky with the weather, but it is very expensive!

We will return there is much more to see and other parts we want to revisit.

I will add photos some .

We are on board BA flight and just left Gibraltar in beautiful sunshine. The fog started rolling in but then it rolled back again up the Rock and disappeared 😁

We have had a lazy day, boarding the bus to the lighthouse for a coffee at the cafe and then walked along the promenade. We were lucky enough to spot a dolphin jumping out of the water 3 times.

We caught the bus into the city and went o the pancake house down a side alley from Main Street. We each got 4 small thick pancakes with a topping of our choice. It really filled me up.

Back at the hotel we sat on their veranda and got drinks until our taxi arrived to take us to the airport.

The runway is short! The plane cruises slowly to one end turns as we reached the sea and then the jets zoomed and we travelled quickly gaining momentum and lifted off as we reached the sea on the other end of the run way. You could see the cars and people waiting for the barriers to lift up so they could cross the runway and reach the border.

So back to cold winds and rain but never mind we’ve had such a nice break and it won’t be long before we’re off to Cornwall April and Seattle end of June!

All for now from Mann Tours Hee hee!

Happy birthday Blandine!

So today we went to The Gorham Cave exhibition about Neanderthals in Gibraltar round from Europa Point.

To get there you have to walk up a fairly steep busy road with not many pavements and it’s not sign posted at all where to go. But we found it. Today has very good visibility and you can clearly see the coast of Africa and it’s hills. There were migrating birds and monkeys to spot too. The military were firing guns most of the time we were there.

Our guide talked to us for an hour and a half and it was so interesting. They have and are finding so much Neanderthals evidence in the caves here and near the airport. There is the only found evidence in the world of a Neanderthal cave drawing too.

We really enjoyed this morning. We had our lunch near the lighthouse and then went into the city by bus for an icecream. It is hot and sunny today again.

We are determined to have fish and chips one more time! Later

We leave tomorrow, the taxi comes for us at 3pm. Plane leaves at 5pm and home by 11pm.

So here are some photos of the Neanderthal caves and Africa I. The distance behind the lighthouse.

See you all soon

Grandma and Grandad xxxx