Today was an even earlier start than yesterday, but with a day's practice under their belts, all pupils were packed and ready to leave the hotel by 0830.
39 out of 41 made it to breakfast on time today......the two that didn't make it down had an extra hour of sleep, but very little time to pack up!
Our first stop was at a man-made harbour so we could catch a ferry to Heimaey Island. The half hour journey took us through a very narrow harbour with huge imposing cliffs. The weather over the island was quite miserable but a couple of times it broke to give fantastic views of the lava fields. Heimaey suffered from a volcanic explosion that threatened the existence of the population in 1973. There was clear evidence of where the lava had completely wiped out many houses.
As we walked to the top of the crater, the weather closed in again. As we walked back down, we passed through an area known as "Pompei of the North". This is an area that the Icelandic authorities have decided to excavate. It was something else seeing half buried houses that had been under ash and cinder for almost forty years.
We caught a ferry back to the mainland at three pm and drove twenty minutes to a spectacular waterfall, Seljalandsfoss which is 65m. It made High Force seem quite little in comparison!! We were able to walk behind the waterfall and see how the power of the water has worn away the back wall. It is always refreshing to hear pupils recalling what we have done in classes to explain geographical features in real life.
Once back in the coach, we travelled past the volcano that erupted last year, Eyjafjallajokull. In the valley bottom is a family farm. They helpfully produced an interesting twenty minute film and have now built a mini cinema on the roadside to cater for passing tourists!
A hour later and we arrived at our current hotel, Hotel Laki. We will be staying here tomorrow, which has come as a blessed relief for those that struggle to pack up their belongings after just one night.
As yet there is no sign of the Northern Lights, but fingers crossed for tomorrow night!
Blimey amazing photos HOW DID the village/port survive? Quite spooky to see half buried houses
ReplyDeletethat look like people just left! I didnt imagine that the lava would look like a curtain over it!
Love the head protection for the waterfall!!!
Agreed - photos are brilliant and such clear images. Shame about the elusive Northern Lights - hopefully tomorrow clearer :-)
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