Saturday, 3 November 2012
The final day...
When we awoke it was 'oh so quiet' and the weather had taken a turn for the better. This meant that at 6.30am we got a call to say we could do the Golden Circle tour consisting of standing on the join of the American and Eurasian seismic plates, Gullfoss waterfall, some proper geysers and to the crater Kerid.
Pictures will appear as the day unfolds...
We have just taken a slight detour to have a look in a lava tube which is a cave/underground tunnel created by a lava river when an eruption takes place.
We are now making our way to the airport!
Pictures will appear as the day unfolds...
We have just taken a slight detour to have a look in a lava tube which is a cave/underground tunnel created by a lava river when an eruption takes place.
We are now making our way to the airport!
Friday, 2 November 2012
Friday...
We woke up to howling gales and the sea crashing onto the road as the severe weather continued. Unfortunately the activities had to be changed as it was unsafe to stray far from the city.
In the morning we went to an outdoor swimming pool with jacuzzi's and hot tubs which was created using the naturally warm water which was pure and untreated. The students enjoyed themselves swimming lengths, flying down the slide and kicking back in the hot tubs.
With the weather still an issue we made our way to Reykjavik town centre to see a museum of the first settler to the area, took advantage of this opportunity to look around the shops before heading to the cinema to watch Skyfall (the new bond film). The students also went for lunch at a local restaurant where they were able to sample a reindeer burger with fries and a drink! Gave a whole new meaning to fast food as one of them thought it was Rudolph...
Tonight we're heading out for bowling and some pool with the hope of better weather tomorrow!
In the morning we went to an outdoor swimming pool with jacuzzi's and hot tubs which was created using the naturally warm water which was pure and untreated. The students enjoyed themselves swimming lengths, flying down the slide and kicking back in the hot tubs.
With the weather still an issue we made our way to Reykjavik town centre to see a museum of the first settler to the area, took advantage of this opportunity to look around the shops before heading to the cinema to watch Skyfall (the new bond film). The students also went for lunch at a local restaurant where they were able to sample a reindeer burger with fries and a drink! Gave a whole new meaning to fast food as one of them thought it was Rudolph...
Tonight we're heading out for bowling and some pool with the hope of better weather tomorrow!
Thursday, 1 November 2012
The Northern Lights
As we made our way to Reykjavik after the glacier on what had been a difficult day due to the weather we were rewarded with the greatest experience. Having stayed awake last night waiting to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights we were left disappointed.
However, on the coach journey much to everyone's surprise and delight we caught a sight of the lights dancing across the sky. We were again very fortunate in that we were able to pull over and see the wonderful lights.
This has been a highlight of the trip and very much unexpected. The pictures don't do justice to the wonderful sight or their movement across the sky as they 'danced' for us. A great end to the day and something special for Jess Kitching to celebrate her birthday with.
However, on the coach journey much to everyone's surprise and delight we caught a sight of the lights dancing across the sky. We were again very fortunate in that we were able to pull over and see the wonderful lights.
This has been a highlight of the trip and very much unexpected. The pictures don't do justice to the wonderful sight or their movement across the sky as they 'danced' for us. A great end to the day and something special for Jess Kitching to celebrate her birthday with.
The Glacier
Having been delayed this morning by exceptionally strong winds and a severe weather warning our departure was delayed by a couple of hours. Then at 12.30pm we got the green light and it was all systems go to take advantage of the break in the weather.
The plans changed slightly and we took advantage of the situation to hop aboard an 8 wheel vehicle and travel to one of the many glaciers. It was an hours drive followed by a 35 minute walk to the base of the glacier. Again this provided another superb photo opportunity and the chance to drink some of the purist water in the world. Some of the year 11 boys took this opportunity to lick the ice which was approximately 400 years old.
From the glacier we made our way back to Reykjavik to the same hotel that we stayed in on the first night.
The plans changed slightly and we took advantage of the situation to hop aboard an 8 wheel vehicle and travel to one of the many glaciers. It was an hours drive followed by a 35 minute walk to the base of the glacier. Again this provided another superb photo opportunity and the chance to drink some of the purist water in the world. Some of the year 11 boys took this opportunity to lick the ice which was approximately 400 years old.
From the glacier we made our way back to Reykjavik to the same hotel that we stayed in on the first night.
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Quiz night
The evening entertainment was a quiz and fancy dress round. The teams were entertained by Mr Dickens as quiz master with rounds about Iceland, geography, music and fancy dress.
Some of the more creative entries came from Harry Walker as a witch, Sam Yearsley and Josh Serdet as Harry Potter and Ron Weasley and Rob who was beautifully made-up by Alice Dutton and Katie Lewis.
The winning team was 'The Dark Horses' consisting of Alice, Emma, Katie, Zoe, Rob and James!
Some of the more creative entries came from Harry Walker as a witch, Sam Yearsley and Josh Serdet as Harry Potter and Ron Weasley and Rob who was beautifully made-up by Alice Dutton and Katie Lewis.
The winning team was 'The Dark Horses' consisting of Alice, Emma, Katie, Zoe, Rob and James!
Skogafoss waterfall & Reynishverfi beach
The action packed day continued as we went to see another magnificent waterfall which was 60m high and had a staircase for us to walk to the top. This provided another superb opportunity to see the textbook geography in the real world context.
From the waterfall we made the short coach journey to the Reynishverfi beach which is made of black volcanic ash. This is a superb example of the destructive nature of the sea as it shapes the beach. There was also the opportunity to have photographs with the spectacular basalt columns.
In a slight deviation from the itinerary Sam Yearsley demonstrated some superb flexibility for a big man as he performed a 7 out of 10 backflip from the basalt columns.
From the waterfall we made the short coach journey to the Reynishverfi beach which is made of black volcanic ash. This is a superb example of the destructive nature of the sea as it shapes the beach. There was also the opportunity to have photographs with the spectacular basalt columns.
In a slight deviation from the itinerary Sam Yearsley demonstrated some superb flexibility for a big man as he performed a 7 out of 10 backflip from the basalt columns.
Eyjafjallajökull eruption 2010
Instead of the glacier walk which was cancelled due to high winds we visited a local farm which was next to the volcano which erupted in 2010 grounding European planes.
The farm now has a visitors centre with the owners discussing the impact that the volcano eruption had on their lives. The students watched a short film about the eruption and the impact it had on this small farm!
The farm now has a visitors centre with the owners discussing the impact that the volcano eruption had on their lives. The students watched a short film about the eruption and the impact it had on this small farm!
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
We have just visited the Seljalandsfoss waterfall which spills over a basalt cliff resulting in an isotonic rebound of the land and its lava flow. Unfortunately we were unable to walk behind the waterfall due to the frozen conditions.
The students posed for photographs and climbed up the side of the hill for a better look. The majority of the students drank from the stream and some filled their water bottles with exceptionally fresh water.
On the journey to the waterfall we drove through a snow storm but true to their word the Icelandic people told us that the weather can change in minutes and soon the weather was glorious if not a little windy.
The students posed for photographs and climbed up the side of the hill for a better look. The majority of the students drank from the stream and some filled their water bottles with exceptionally fresh water.
On the journey to the waterfall we drove through a snow storm but true to their word the Icelandic people told us that the weather can change in minutes and soon the weather was glorious if not a little windy.
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Best dressed or worst dressed?
Not sure whether Harry is wearing this as a bet, fashion or because he misunderstood the dress code. He has certainly caused a stir in Iceland, what will tomorrows outfit have in store?!?!
Blue Lagoon
Following a 4 hour flight we arrived in Iceland to be greeted with some particularly cold weather. We then made the short journey by coach to the Blue Lagoon geothermic spa. With the temperature at 0 degrees everyone was very quick to jump into the warm water which was approximately 40 degrees. The group spent about 90 minutes relaxing in the warm waters and taking advantage of the natural silica mud for a face mask and the sauna. This was a fantastic experience and is an amazing natural phenomenon which has got the trip off to a great start.
We are now moving on to the hotel for the evening meal and entertainment.
We are now moving on to the hotel for the evening meal and entertainment.
In departures...
We have safely got through departures and are now waiting with excitement for the flight to Iceland. On arrival we will be heading straight to the blue lagoon for a swim and spa experience!
Monday, 29 October 2012
1st Blog
This is the first test blog and hopefully will be the first of many as we keep everyone in the UK up to date with what is happening in Iceland.
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