Iceland 2016

October - November 2016
  • RobCowell
Having spent a long weekend in Iceland in November 2015 I just had to return to see more of this stunning landscape. My friend Tony is travelling with me and together we discover glaciers, volcanic regions and the Icelandic weather. Read more
  • RobCowell

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  • Iceland Iceland
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  • 42footprints
  • 16days
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  • Travelling to Myvatn then Husavik

    November 1, 2016 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Today has once again been predominantly a travelling day, but this time to our accommodation in Husavik where we're spending three nights in a "Cabin in the Lava." We have driven through some amazing scenery reminiscent of the Arctic. The photo we took in the Highlands whilst it was snowing turned out blue for some reason, but we hope you can just about see the snow drifting across the road.

    We stopped a few times to take photographs and there's a hint of what we were up to in today's photo set. The last two photos were taken of the hot pools at Myvatn where we're returning to photograph more fully tomorrow.

    It really has been an amazing day, maybe not so much for the photography we've done but definitely for the sights we've seen. The landscape here is simply stunning but the scale of it sometimes cannot be captured by something as simple as a lens. You have to see it with your own eyes.
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  • Hveraröndor Hverir Hot Springs, Myvatn

    November 2, 2016 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    We decided to have a go at photographing the hot springs and mud pools today. After all how could we resist the opportunity to spend the day breathing that beautiful aroma of bad eggs!

    We probably spent far too long here, becoming absorbed in trying to find an angle the average Penguin hadn't taken. Who knows if we did, but we enjoyed the challenge. Not sure if egg sandwiches for tea would be welcome right now.Read more

  • Hverfjall Crater

    November 2, 2016 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    Just east of Myvatn lake lies what is probably the best preserved circular crater in the world. The first photo isn't of Hverfjall but was taken walking down its slopes back to the parking area ... Rob forgot to take a photo at the top. :-( The second photo shows the barren volcanic landscape which you can observe and contemplate having used the toilets. A bog with a view, now there's lovely!

    Hverfjall Crater is huge at 1km across and the views of the lava fields and steaming mountains from the rim of the crater were excellent.
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  • Jarðböðin Nature Baths

    November 2, 2016 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    No photos with this one.

    We ended our day soaking in the outtdoor thermal spa at Jarðböðin Nature Baths in water around 38C though the air temperature was only 3C, not including the chilling effect of the wind. Walking down the ramp into those spa waters was almost heaven on earth. The tricky bit is getting out of course, but we sussed the technique by watching what others did ... you walk up the ramp shaking your arms and legs as though you're walking on broken glass and make noises like a chimpanzee. "Oo Oo, ah ah!" You then say, "Wowee, that's cold!"

    Tomorrow we do more waterfalls.
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  • Krafla Volcano and the Víti Crater

    November 3, 2016 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C

    Our first stop this morning was to see Víti Crater within the Krafla volcano which last erupted in 1984. We drove up through a lunar landscape covered in a dusting of snow. Okay, we know the moon isn't dusted with snow but we're trying to set the mood here! The view across the car park gives the general idea and the crater was pretty impressive.

    It was extremely cold up there but, as you can see, there was an opportunity for a warm shower afterwards. Yes, the water from that shower was just the right temperature.
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  • Selfoss Waterfall

    November 3, 2016 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    We arrived at the car park, sorted out our gear and hiked up to the first of the two falls - Selfoss. It was quite hard to get close to the actual falls because you have to cross the river, picking your way across rocks, pools and black volcanic silt. There was the ice too.

    We tried a few shots of Selfoss but it was hard to find an inspiring angle, especially as we were only given flat and dull light. Annoyingly, the phone appears to have brought out the best of it.

    We did find the rock pools interesting however, and spent some time photographing the patterns and shapes.
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  • Dettifoss Waterfall

    November 3, 2016 in Iceland ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    The light remained grey and flat and the viewing area close to the falls was roped off so we couldn't get to the best view to take our photographs. We took a few but once again Rob's phone seemed to capture the scene with a lot less fuss. The mist from the waterfall was a bit of a nuisance too and kept covering the lens with water droplets. It's about time someone invented waterfalls that don't give off water!

    It's a shame the weather was dull and rainy as we think the photos would have been excellent with the odd rainbow in it. We ended the day with a quick visit back to see the mud pools and steam and we've just got back having had a lovely evening meal.

    Tomorrow we continue our journey.
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  • Goðafoss Waterfall

    November 4, 2016 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 2 °C

    Goðafoss waterfall ... another day, another waterfall but this morning the rain was gone and the sun was starting to appear. This made for better light to help us, but we both felt this to be a much better and more impressive location than the two falls yesterday. These were easier to get close to but you could actually get right to where the water tumbled to the river below. A standard fitting were Penguins of course, but not too many and we both enjoyed our time there.Read more

  • Travelling to Sauðárkrókur

    November 4, 2016 in Iceland ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Ah, yet another unpronounceable name but this has been our overnight stop in a small self service B&B, part of a micro-brewery with a bar that doesn't open until 9pm and closes at 3am. No ... that's not why we didn't update the diary last night - honest!

    Yesterday then, after visiting the waterfall, we were travelling along the road around the Trollaskag peninsula with the odd stop for photos and even a coffee. The scenery was stunning and the weather improved the further we went, turning it into a magical experience. We didn't spot any Trolls though and for much of the time we were on our own. Empty roads, fantastic coastal views and snow-capped mountains to our left. There were some really long tunnels on the way as well.

    You can see some of the views we saw but the phone, for once, hasn't captured what we actually saw though the one of the lighthouse is pretty much spot on.

    The day ended with a sunset that lasted forever and as we drove to Sauðárkrókur the skies became clear and the temperatures dropped well below zero. Perhaps a hint of what was to come.

    What a fantastic day.
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  • The Northern Lights

    November 5, 2016 in Iceland ⋅ 🌙 -1 °C

    This is why the diary wasn't updated last night.

    The temperatures dropped to -4C whilst we eat our evening meal and the skies were clear so we decided to grab our cameras and drive back along the route to try a find a dark location ... and wait.

    Rob has an App on his phone which predicts the chance of seeing the Aurora ... he would, wouldn't he! Tony is definitely experiencing the technology age on this trip.

    We waited in the car for a hour or so and with the forecast still low (though improving) we were on the point of calling it a day.

    And then they arrived. At first there was just a tint, a mere mist of light in the north, but within seconds we were treated to a display of shimmering curtains of green that continually changed shape and brightness. Our moment had come and we tried to capture it all as best we could.

    Unfortunately the phone could only produce what we've uploaded so the photos we took we'll bring back for you to see.

    So it happened ... our wishes came true and what a fantastic end to a stunning day.
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