Doc Strines Explores

What a wonderful day, the day we went to Iceland (the country not the shop).

Very early Saturday morning Andrea (organiser extraordinaire and driver) toured around the streets of Offerton, Marple and Strines picking up Liz, Linda, Wendy and myself, our group of MAD WI ‘extreme day trippers’, to catch the 7.10 flight from Manchester.

After parking at The Crowne Plaza we strolled to the terminal. Wendy kindly helped a fellow traveler, who had been diverted from Heathrow.

After a croissant and a hot chocolate for breakfast we joined the queue to board the plane.

Those with window seats enjoyed the snowy landscape as we traversed southern Iceland, prior to landing at Keflavik.

After successfully answering questions pertaining to the duration and purpose of the visit (to see the waterfall), passports were stamped and we ventured out of the airport to locate the car and fathom out how it worked. Andrea had zoomed ahead to pick up the keys at the car hire desk.

It always seems odd to just give out the car keys without explanation the car’s idiosyncrasies. And this car appeared to have several, including adjusting the seats, but maybe more significantly how it starts. Fortunately Liz had some excellent suggestions. Having successfully started the vehicle (both feet on pedals whilst pressing the button) we commenced upon a two hour drive east from the Reykjanes peninsula to Gullfoss. Initially quite tentatively whilst Andrea familiarised herself with the gearbox on the wrong side’.

An hour later, half way to Gullfoss, we pulled into the cafe/gift shop/toilets near Þingvellir, one of the world´s great geological boundaries where the North American and Eurasian continental plates are tearing apart.

An unfamiliar car with things in unfamiliar places creates a variety of unique challenges. Parking on a slight incline was our next one. With much relief Linda discovered that the car actually had a ‘handbrake’, which subsequently was referred to at junctions and roundabouts but prefixed with an expletive!

The landscape was stunning and the concept of standing so close to the tectonic plate boundary, quite mind blowing. Here we are standing on the Eurasian plate, looking at the edge of the North American plate.

After a brief stroll in the crisp, crunchy snow, marvelling at the landscape I popped into the cafe. I discovered the perfect lunch, a local sandwich of salmon and egg. (I cannot resist smoked salmon). Iceland has a reputation for being a bit expensive, but I thoroughly enjoyed the sandwich costing just over £6.

Refreshed we continued along the road towards Gullfoss.

A short drive further along the road we noticed a number of cars parked up in a lay-by and people taking photographs. Curious about what they were doing, we also parked up.

Back on the road we continued our journey northeast to Geysir, the blowhole that has lent its name to similar vents around the globe. As we drove closer to the thermal area plumes of steam became visible along with a noticeable smell of sulphur. Fortunately Andrea had pre-warned us of this.

A short distance up the road from Geysir, we pulled over to take a closer look at the Icelandic horses.

A short drive further along the road we arrived at Gullfoss.

The thundering twin cataracts known as Gullfoss were made even more spectacular with the sun creating a rainbow in the spray and mist above the canyon.

Gullfoss can be viewed from several different viewpoints. From the highest it was difficult to determine where the water flowed, but from the bottom the deep canyon carrying the water was evident. Steep steps separated the viewpoints. Myself, Liz, Wendy and Linda descended the steps whilst Andrea collected the car and drove round to meet us at the bottom.

After a fabulous time at Gullfoss, it was time to to head back to Reykjavik. Along the way we experienced almost all known kinds of weather conditions. Sunshine then rain then snow followed by sleet.

After the long empty roads on the drive to and from Gullfoss, Reykjavik felt quite busy. However we had no problem finding a parking space in the centre. Safely parked up in Reykjavik we walked up towards the ‘rainbow street’ where we found an excellent fish and chips place for tea.

I enjoyed a most excellent fish and chips washed down with a Viking beer.

Our time was nearly up in Iceland but Andrea had one final treat in store, a drive to the sea front to sea the ‘Sun Voyager’.

Back in the car and about to head to the airport Linda is missing a bag. Andrea made a u-turn back to the ‘Sun Voyager’. No bag to be seen! A quick check in the boot and panic over. It was there all along.

Time to top up the diesel, return the car and check in at the airport for the 9.15 flight to Manchester.

One final treat … the northern lights visible from the aircraft.

Back in Manchester we snaked through passport control and back to the car, parked at Crowne Plaza. Andrea meandered back through Offerton, Marple and Strines dropping off ,the tired and weary, ‘extreme day trippers’ back home.

Thank you my fellow adventurers for a wonderful day out.