Whenever we go to Iceland one of the things I’ve always wanted to view is an active eruption. But they always happen just after we leave and stop just before we go.
Today an eruption has begun on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the eleventh in just over four years and the eighth since December 2023. The eruption appears to have occurred just southeast of Mt Þorbjörn.
And as quick as it arrives, it’ll disperse just as quick. So by the time you get to peruse this video, it may well be over. Sorry about that. That’s Mother Nature for you.
Live volcano cam
And we were there about five weeks ago. Missed it again….damn.
All joking aside, here’s praying everyone in the area stays safe.
Today will be consumed by just the one activity, we are heading down to the south coast of the island, somewhere we have never visited before. So today will be Black beaches, Volcanoes, Glaciers and Waterfalls. We’ve been looking forward to this one.
On our way we passed the volcano Nick named by those who struggle with the Icelandic language as E15. Why E15? Well it began with the letter “E” and has 15 other letters after it that’s why! Its proper name is Eyjafjallajökull, you will know of it, as it was the one the erupted in 2010 causing all the disruption to European airspace as its massive cloud blanketed Europe. It looked so serene from the bus as we passed by on our journey south.
Eyjafjallajökull from the route one road
Leaving early from the city centre we were heading out on Route 1, the island circular road that encompasses the island, we will be heading south for approx 2.5hrs towards Reynisfjara beach just outside the town of Vik.
From this point on I’m going to post some pictures as written text does not do these places justice.
Reynisfjara beach
Reynisfjara beach
Strong seas at the black beach
Rock formations on the black beach
And this video at the black beach sums it all up. It was shot in normal full colour mode but all you can see is black and white, maybe the odd colourful coat or two on passing tourists.
Full colour, but black and white
After some time at the beach just drinking in its mystical majesty and getting some fantastic pictures we moved on to the town of Vik, about 20 minutes away to have some lunch. A very pleasant Lamb Stroganoff later we moved on to our next point of interest.
Sólheimajökull Glacier
Sólheimajökull glacier is a perfect example of how global warming is effecting the last remaining glaciers in Iceland, that are retreating year on year at quite an alarming rate. However, it is a beautiful site, what is left. They say that within 150 years there will be no remaining Glaciers on this island.
Sólheimajökull glacier
Glacier ice pack
Panorama capturing the glacier decline. Only a few years ago this entire lake was solid glacial ice, now the only remaining glacier can be seen on the far right.
From here we went on to visit our first of two waterfalls we would be seeing today and this first one has always been one I have wanted to visit.
Skógafoss falls
Skogafoss falls are purely wonderful. With a four hundred plus step climb up to its top you can look down onto the river as it makes its descent to the ground below. It is a magical and most beautiful site surrounded by volcanoes and lush green land. (As the snow has all gone)
Skogafoss waterfall time lapse
Volcano
Long climb up the side
Skogafoss waterfall standard shot
From here we moved on to our second waterfall and last point on today’s trip. This waterfall has a uniquely individual twist to it, you can actually walk behind it if the weather is good enough, and today it was fine. Just be prepared to get wet as it’s a constant mist of water all the way around.
It’s been a day of pure majesty and scenes of some of natures finest displays of grandeur and beauty. We haven’t even began to scratch the surface of some of the places we can visit here, there is so much more to see and do. And I’m certainly hoping we are back here again soon as we are both still very much in love with this island.
I won’t be posting a day 5 post as that will be a day of recovery from all the walking, some packing and dinner at the Hard Rock Reykjavik. All pretty boring stuff. I will however do a little recap post with some other pictures when we arrive back in the Uk. So thanks for looking in, it’s always appreciated. Back to boring old fixing stuff next week.
To be honest I cannot say that there is any particular job that I have a dream of doing. When I was younger I went through all my options and opportunities and to be honest I think I’ve followed the best course of work activity throughout my career so far. That school careers officer knew his job.
It’s the old observation of whether you dream to do a job so much, that in reality, after you have done it for a while it then becomes a chore. I spent a lot of time in my early 30s doing my city and guilds exams in electronics, my choice, as it was a hobby and I wanted to learn more. Many people said to me at the time,“Why don’t you use that set of qualifications to branch out into that business?” But do you know what? I didn’t want to do that as I loved the hobby so much I didn’t want to fall out of love with it, I didn’t want it to become a day to day existence, something to tire of.
As I branch out into my latter years I’d love to work on a farm, I’d love to be a custodian of some land and have responsibilities for its upkeep and the animals and creatures that live there. A big woodland where I tend to nature, monitor and assist with its upkeep. Environmental work, that’s what I’d love to do now.
I could do this on a part time basis, as the local woodland trust actively encourages involvement in such projects in our area. The only issue is that my shifts at work kind of restrict me with taking part. Maybe this is a decision to be taken into consideration when I look at my retirement options within the next few years.
Taken whilst attending a wedding in Darwen Lancashire.
Sunnyhurst brook has some lovely weirs on the stretch near the olde kiosk. However like many rivers in the Uk its water is brown and lifeless. A shame as it is a beautiful feature and would look glorious if it had a restored habitat.
It’s a very personal thing for me, it’s not enforced or preached to anyone it’s just me. I spent the first 16 years of my life going to Sunday school, and then my parents left me to choose to continue or drop it. I dropped it but maintained a faith of sorts.
Spirituality is a comfort blanket for me. In times of stress and doubt I resort to my spirituality to find comfort.
I also use nature as a spiritual comfort. If I disappear out into the wilds for a good long walk it’s usually to clear my mind. And it works for me.
Foxes Den 
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