Djupivogur to Seydisfjordur

The last stop in Iceland...

....When we're home I'll review the trip and, of course, how the Swift Elegance has stood up to this pretty stiff test...not only the challenging Icelandic roads but how we've got on living in it. It's been our home, after all..and that's eating, sleeping, showering, cooking, entertaining....over 30 nights and around 2000 miles through sun, rain, mud, dust, ruts and all. Must be worth a read that. I'll try and get that done on Monday 21 June.

Let's not forget this country and its people though. This has been towards the very top of our adventures and it's not  easy to explain that in words.

Anyway, on with our trip.

Again, a wonderful drive along coast and fjords but this time in bright sunshine, with snow-topped mountains looking down on us. We make speedy progress and drop the van off at the site the head off up gravel roads to Bakkagerdi in search of Puffins...and, boy, do we find them - hundreds of them, burrowing into the cliffs, catching small fish to feed to their young. It's a kind of, er, magic.

Couldn't resist putting up the pic of a restaurant menu seen in Reykjavik though...sorry, that's how it is here...

Off to the Faroe Islands tomorrow.

In search of Puffins...and mud

Hofn to Djupivogur

A great scenic drive along this coast and fjords on the N1. The low cloud over the mountains somehow adds to the brooding atmosphere and, of course, means that the Trolls are hidden from view which is, we gather, rather a good thing.

The sun arrives with us in the attractive township of Djupivogur with its harbour and abundant bird population. An Icelandic artist of repute has created a long row of sculpted 'birds eggs', each one representing a local bird. We walk around the local coastline, all the time hounded by noisy oyster-catchers which is, initially, a novelty....

Cheese and wine outside in the evening for our group, thanks to our tour leaders. It's really successful..a chance to catch up and compare adventuring type stories which get louder and longer as the evening progresses until we are scooted back to our units, lest we disturb our fellow campers....It's just so difficult to know what time it is when the sun stays on.

Last stop in Iceland tomorrow. That's seriously sad.

Skaftafell to Hofn

Short (235km) journey...uneventful trip but with the tremendous highlight of the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, where ice-blue icebergs break free from the glacier with great cracks, drift through the lagoon, then travel slowly out to sea.

We take a trip on an amphibious 'duck boat' through the bergs before walking along the creek to the sea, watching (and getting dive-bombed by) the arctic terns....also see a seal and other wildlife.

Jokulsarlon Lagoon

Here for two nights. The town is famous for its lobsters so we arrange to eat with two fellow travellers and sort a group trip up to the glaciers followed by a ride on a Skidoo (er..I think that's right). The Skidoo ride on Europe's largest glacier, the Vatnajokull is brilliant. If you are ever here - don't hesitate - apart from the sheer fun of it, being on the glacier is breathtaking in itself. (Sue's driving/riding is breathtaking too...with me on the back)

Onward tomorrow...getting near the end of the Iceland part of the trip now...

Churches...some images

Seljaland to Skaftafell

A journey through vast Volcanic plain, partly covered by a mossy growth...quite eeire.  Another memory though.

The campsite is a large activity centre with camping vehicles of every conceivable type..apart from big 'American' motorhomes.  A 4x4 towing a caravan is quite a popular combination here, although some of the 4x4s make our 2.4 tonne Touareg look a bit weedy to put it mildly. Have to say, the convenience of the Treg and its off-road abiltiy has been brilliant and with the rot-proof super strong Elegance (notice we're bonding with it...), we've stopped the 'will the next change be a motorhome' discussion. We're adventure-caravanners to the core..confirmed. Technology has caught up with our needs..thank you Swift.

Here for two nights so we have a free guided walk to the Skaftafell glacier then we take a guided walk on the glacier itself....first time we have been armed with crampons and an ice-axe but probably not the last. Brings all the reading and theory to life. Also see the Svartifoss waterfall....famous for the backdrop of vertical hexagonal basalt columns  formed by cooling lava.

We'll certainly need a rest after this adventure, I think...

11.30pm.... in paradise?

Svartifoss waterfall.

Yes...don't mess with us...