Some photos (from Iceland)

Hello all!

Well we are in the USA and have quickly looked around Seattle.  It was nice enough to just wander around and chill out for a bit.  We had a big drive towards the mountains yesterday (about 550 miles) and we're now kitted out with all of our gear, including bear spray, ready for another night in a tent tonight - Lisa really can't wait!

Anyway, as we now have a nice new laptop, I've been able to pull together a small selection of photos from our Iceland trip.  There will be more to look at once I've been able to sort them a bit more, but I hope these will do for now.

As we're heading into the mountains, guess what - no internet.  So don't be surprised if this blog isn't updated for quite a few days...and hopefully we won't have been eaten by bears by then!

That's all from Iceland

Right, it's time for another update.  Since last time we've carried on around the edge of Iceland onto the north and west coasts, ending up in Reykjavik yesterday.

For the rural bits it's been pretty much more of the same scenery wise, loads of mad partial gravel roads, spotted a troll in a cave (photo is on the way) and yet more sleepless nights in a tent.  Once we hit Reykjavik things started to get a bit more civilised (apart from the mahoosive campsite). The city was quite nice and surprisingly small - had a decent wander around to see some of the sights (not that there are that many).  We also popped along to the Blue Lagoon (although it really wasn't blue) and spotted a pervy woman taking loads of photos of middle-aged men in their Speedos - yummy!  And they weren't even hot men!!

Malcolm - the Skyr cake is lovely, had some for you!!

So, last night was officially our last in Iceland and it was really nice to have a bit of comfort, e.g. a real bed, pillows, warmth and all that stuff you generally take for granted.  Camping has certainly been an experience (largely an uncomfortable one) and we know we've got a bit more of the same (but with bears for company), but in a strange way it has helped make the first leg of our trip even more memorable.

Where are all of the photos I hear you cry?  Well, once we've bought a new shiny laptop in the States then it will all be sorted out - honest guv.

Next stop Seattle...

Iceland so far

So the good news is, yes, we are still alive!  Obviously this has been a bit of a boring blog for the last week, but this is the first Internet access we've had all week, so stick with it...

The bad news is, we probably won't be able to do another update until next weekend, so this had better be a good one!

We've done loads over the last week, seen some pretty stunning stuff and travelled over 1500km so far - plus we've had our first experience with camping.

Iceland itself...

I think it would be true to say that Iceland is a beautiful country with some scenery that is amazing and weird in equal measure.  Although the Iceland tourist board would have you believe that there is more to Iceland than glaciers and waterfalls, that is a pretty accurate description. I (Rob) love waterfalls and this place has them by the bucket load.

It truly is an odd place though.  The scenery changes incredibly quickly - from rocky barren lava fields to rain soaked fiords to geothermal areas - all a bit strange.  Hopefully some of the photos on this blog will give you the general idea (but we're a bit limited on what we can upload at the moment - technical issues!).

Driving around is great fun.  There are some mad winding roads that head into the clouds (quite literally) and hardly any traffic or police - surely a recipe for disaster!

Wildlife

Not much.  Unless you're a twitcher or really like sheep...

The weather...

British summers are unpredictable - so far I'm not sure Iceland has a summer!  We got lucky on the first couple of days and had some nice warm sunny weather, but since then it's been a mainly grey skies and a bit dreary.

The other thing that we've found mighty odd, but are now used to, is the fact that it never really gets properly dark here.  Although the sun does set before midnight, it's still light enough to see stuff at 2am...

The people...

Icelanders seem to be a stoney-faced bunch and generally don't seem that happy - a sweeping generalisation I know, but accurate based on our experiences so far.  Now given the long dark winter months we could maybe understand it, but you'd think they would be loving all of the daylight at this time of year.  They get things done but don't exactly give you the most welcoming feeling as a visitor to their country.

Camping...

Hmm, this has been interesting!  I think there are 2 very different takes on this "holiday" experience:

Rob's view

After a very dodgy first night with at best 2 to 3 hours kip, things have progressively got better - I must be getting at least 4 - 5 hours each night now!

Most of the campsites in Iceland seem pretty well equipped, so cooking food, showering etc. hasn't been too bad.  And to be fair, I can put up with smelling for a few days or using my Pocket Rocket (arf, but seriously it is a gas burner) to cook other stuff.

Don't get me wrong.  If going camping was my main holiday for the year, I doubt I would bother - sounds harsh, but true.   As I'm a big lad, I'd happily trade a sleeping area barely wider than my shoulders for a nice king-sized bed, but that's kind of missing the point.  Camping has given some very new experiences, allowed much more freedom (it's a bit weird never knowing exactly where you'll be sleeping that night) and in a strange way I've quite enjoyed it.

Lisa's view

Night 1 - hated it!  Really I did. Building your own bed, what's that all about, I normally just fall into it and snuggle up and sleep, seemed a bit dull to me.  Didn't sleep well at all, cat bells did help tho - thanks Sally!  Next morning, communal showering without separation of a curtain - is that normal for campsites?  Scared! Showering next to other naked ladies - not sure I'm gonna like this malarky!

Night 2 - not so bad.  Now we knew what we were doing with the tent it didn't take so long.  Sleep, ooh about a massive 4 hours!  No other naked ladies to shower with this morning - phew!

Night 3, 4  & 5 getting better, actually not so bad at all.  Sleeping much better, individual shower cubicles - ahhhh normality has returned I have no one watching me!

Night 6 - expert!  Tent up in record time, quite getting into it!  Might even sell the house (joke! Not a chance I could do it forever).  Just a shame the people aren't a bit more friendly, not this scout campfire sing-a-long I had imagined and I'd practised a version of ging-gang-goolie, what a waste!

Night 7 - guest house!  Room already built with a bed, quilts and everything... Absolutely love it!

It begins...

Right, we've made it to Iceland. Nothing much to report yet other than we got lucky and didn't have to pay for an extra bag on the flight - bargain. It's also a bit weird still being daylight at nearly midnight - could take a bit of getting used to, especially in a tent! Anyway, the trip begins properly tomorrow and we'll keep you posted...

We're nearly off!

Well it's been a mad rush, but we're nearly done.  Not long before we head to the airport and start our travels over the next 12 months.  Exciting times ahead...