Around Myvatn

More words and images tomorrow

Arrival in Iceland

Two nights on Smiryl Lines ferry... the most completely packed car deck...has to be seen to be believed. Highlights: food, company, seeing film Noah (filmed in Iceland). Lowlight: seeing Spain go out of the world cup. We feel your pain Espana.

packed in

Driving off the ferry up into the snow layer an uplifting, unforgettable experience.

Cool Caravan

We drive from Seydisfjordour to Egilsstadir, stock up with food from the supermarket, slotting the van into a busy but large car park. We take a detour to walk up to the Hengifoss waterfall (1 hour walk, 1 hour drive), flowing over vertical columns formed by contracting lava flows.

                                                               Hengifoss waterfall

Stop by the steam vents and bubbling mud pools caused by water being heated by the magma beneath before eventually reaching the campsite at Myvatn - last arrival but one but ...worth the detours though. The van rides well over the rough roads, although some of it is not an easy ride I have to say.

Hot Caravan

Leaving Denmark

We drive up to the Northern tip of Denmark, avoiding the motorway in order to see some of the country. Very flat but interesting nontheless. Just two stops, though - one coffee and one (expensive) lunch. Reflect that it's a hell of a lot easier to squeeze the Swift into parking areas than the twin axle..and it's proving to be remarkably stable in the strong crosswinds.

After dropping the van off at Hirtshals campsite, near the port, we venture up to the northern-most tip of the peninsula, where two oceans 'meet' ... well worth the effort...as the tide comes in, it's fascinating to see the gulls in a feeding frenzy, diving to retrieve small fish brought in on the tide. A fleet of tankers sit here, waiting on the tide we guess.

Already, the quality of the light is changing; when the sun is out it's clear, bright and somehow sharper.

Writing this in our tardis-like temporary home on wheels, complete with music in the bathroom - really! In fact the quality is a little better in there, I think. Must do more extended listening tests....

It's 11.30pm.....and it's not dark yet.

I see no ships......hang on......good grief!

First Stop

We arrive at Harwich to board the DFDS overnight ferry to Esbjerg, Denmark and are met by our tour leaders. I'm slightly distracted by the row of wonderful classic motors in the next line...

...From Esbjerg it's a short drive to Ribe, our first overnight stop, which turns out to be a beautiful historic town. After getting to know some of our fellow adventurers and a welcome meal, we walk back into town to follow the 'night watchman' on his rounds. What a great way to learn some of the town's history.....then it's back to a hot chocolate in the luxury and warmth of the Elegance. Very nice too. Looking good.

A Trip to Cottingham

It's a four-hour drive up the A1 to the Swift Group HQ.....then we're meeting Tom Anderton  who, after sorting the formalities, completes the hand-over of an immaculately prepared Elegance. It's the first time we've had the chance to see one of these in the flesh and we're impressed - and we're not easily impressed after all these caravanning years...

"Please don't destroy it"

We stay overnight at a great little CL in nearby Bonby to check out the van. We're used to a twin axle Sterling Searcher but we really like the Elegance decor, with it's up-market touches, sense of style and the little innovations (like a sliding wardrobe door)  that maximise the use of space. Everything works too! 
But what we're really interested in is the solidity of construction - there's a sense that this is up to the rigours of Iceland...hard to put a finger on it, but it feels right. Time will tell, of course, and there's a long way to go yet. 

Not long now...

                            ...while you're waiting, try THIS